On my mind

I participate in this feature which I found here:

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here from your blog by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back here and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

This week this is on my mind:

I have just paid for my 2 yearly trip to Europe for the World Mountain Running Championships being held in Germany in May. Needed to pay now to get an early bird special. As customary I will be stopping in London after the race to catch up with running mates from 25 years ago. I am already looking forward to the challenge of the race in Germany and my side excursion to London.

Jersey Half Marathon 1986 [I'm Back - Right] 

One of my excursions back to London to catch up with Thames Valley Harriers running mates.

On my mind

I participate in this feature which I found here

 This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here from your blog by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back here and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

This is on my mind: Table Tennis with Kate's boyfriend, Victor.

After school Victor is coming around for a competitive game of table tennis. This is a continuation of our friendly rivalry that started with chess a few weeks ago. I came out ahead but Victor claims he's a lot better at table tennis than chess. The bad news for Victor is so am I! Whatever the result I'm sure it will be good fun.

Victor has been extremely kind and caring to her. He will be sadly missed by Kate and the family when he returns home to his family in Brazil next Tuesday.

Here is a photo of Kate's Brazilian boyfriend, Victor.

On my mind

I participate in this feature which I found here:

 This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here from your blog by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back here and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

This is on my mind:

Had great pleasure having my guitar group perform at Assembly yesterday. I was really proud of them because three of the children have only been playing for a few months.

Many teachers commented on how well the children did.

As a teacher I thrive on giving children new experiences and opportunities to express and find themselves.

As a young kid I was given those opportunities in music that have moulded and help shape my life.

I thank my mum for giving me that start in life. Click here for more about my teaching the guitar.

Here is a picture of me and one of my students, Tilly performing.

Click to hear on You Tube Tilly's performance of my song Fruits of Labour





Sunday Ride

Today my planned 100km bike ride that was reported in Friday's blog On My Mind took on a new route.

When I arrived at Coastlands at 8:00 as I do most Sundays I found that the other cyclists had decided to do a hilly ride instead. The route was to be different but the distance the same. Was quite pleased to hear that news as I love the hills and I'm strong on them.

The ride set out from Coastlands south along SH1 to Paekakariki. From there we took a left turn and commenced our steady climb up Paekakariki Hill. This is where I pulled away from the other riders and continued over the hill and down past Battle Hill to Pauatahanui. After a short stop we rode over Moonshine Hill Road to Upper Hutt.

Now to my favourite part of the route over the Akatarawas. This section of the ride involves a steady 1 hour long climb to the Summit. The Akataras have been closed to traffic for 6 months due to the bridges being worked on. I had to dismount at one point and negotiate a short detour.

Having reached the Summit in one piece I enjoyed a quick descent watching carefully blind corners passing through Reikorangi to Waikanae.

I was now nearing the end of my ride. I put in a final burst along SH1 to Raumati South feeling extremely pleased with myself and knowing that I'd had an excellent ride. On arrival the home brewed coffee tasted real good. I sat down and relaxed as I prepared for the Warrior League Finals in the NRL competition knowing the lawns and vacuuming had been done the previous day.

On my mind

I participate in this feature which I found here:

 This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here from your blog by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back here and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

This is on my mind:

This is my pride and joy.  It is on my mind because this coming Sunday I'll be going for another leisurely 100km (approx. 62 miles) bike ride.  I ride with the Kapiti Cycling Club and usually our group leaves from Paraparaumu and the route includes Peka Peka beach (where our famous Emperor Penguin, Happy Feet arrived), Te Horo Beach, Otaki Beach, Manakau, Otaki Gorge, back to Te Horo and finally home.  It takes us approximately 3.5 hours at a steady clip of 30 kmh (approx. 18 mph).

On my mind

I've been having a lot of fun discovering new blogs and I quite like this photo feature that I found here. 

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here from your blog by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back here and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

So this is on my mind:

Apart from teaching and running, music is one of my passions.  This photo shows some of my favourite things - my guitar, one of the 150 songs I have written the past 12 years, a few of my CDs I produced and my pride and joy - a picture book called "You're not eating me" (click here to listen to a snippet of what my "You're not eating me" song sounds like).  I simply love how learning can come alive with music and I witness this every single day with my students.  They simply love it when I play and sing to them!