All go at Dolphin Boulevard

It is always 'all go' here in our house on Dolphin Boulevard, and regardless of making promises to myself to regularly write blogs, time and other activities always seem to get in the way.

Today is definitely a day for writing a blog, due to it raining outside and I am putting off filling in forms to see if we qualify for any benefits here, namely a health care card for me, and perhaps a bit of a top up of pension.   The process for applying for any benefits here is so difficult, and cumbersome and requires a high degree of intellectual mastery of form filling.    And if you fall outside of the normal criteria, then it is extra complex, and no one is ready to answer questions or give any assistance.   Not for free anyway. And if anyone suggests popping along to Centrelink, forget it.    

The rain is falling steadily outside,   One would think, in the driest city, in the driest state, in the driest country in the world, that rain is always desperately needed.   But not so, and I think that we have had our fill of rain here, for a while.  So anyone that lives in the northern hemisphere and is currently feeling envious of us living in a state of continuous sunshine, I can assure you it is not true.   We are not a city with perpetual sunshine.    Mind you, when it does shine, it is wonderful.    But we get our bad weather also, and this is especially so in winter and in spring.    At the moment we are getting a few days of glorious sunshine followed by days of cloudy, windy or rainy weather.   Last week we had a storm of massive proportions, so much so I thought the new verandah would be blown away.   And it took me most of the day to clean out the swimming pool as it was full of dust, leaves and twigs, which had got underneath the pool cover.    

And before I go any further, I must write about our little bit of excitement yesterday.    The door knob on our bedroom door would not open the door, it just kept sliding around.    At 5.50 a.m. the dog, Walter and I were trapped in our suite, namely bedroom, walk in robe and bathroom.   Luckily we had a bathroom.    And there was no climbing out of the windows, because they have security fly screens on them, and are not removable.    Walter tried to open the door with a screwdriver, kept for emergencies in his drawer, but without success.    After a few moments of panic, I rang Steve, who was conveniently sleeping in a bedroom not far away, and he got up and opened the door from the outside.    Thank goodness Emma and Steve were living with us.    'Pensioners rescued from bedroom' is a headline that comes to mind.    Walter went out and bought new door knobs and mechanism, as I would not accept his assurances that he could fix the old door knobs.    The old knobs also had a lock that was part of the mechanism.   Very strange.

But life is not all about door knob dramas, or rain or filling in complicated forms.    It is mostly about having lots of fun, and activity filled days.

We celebrated Jay's birthday, and to be here for the first time on her birthday, was very special.  Hamburgers, with all the trimmings, cooked by Darren, followed by the most enormous pavlova, covered in sweets and fruit., which Billie-Joe brought with her.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and Jackson, Isabel and Jay started the party off, with a game of pool volleyball.

The birthday girl, looking very happy, with Darren, Billie-Joe and Jespa.

We have had another two dogs visit us, a gorgeous pair, who Piper fell in love with, and then tried to dominate.

Piper was also very jealous as both dogs wanted to sit or lie close to me, and Piper also tried to do the same thing.     And I was not feeling ill when the photograph was taken, rather it was a case of trying to have a little snooze on a cold day, with three dogs sitting on top of me.    Very cosy.

One of Piper's favourite resting positions, lying stretched out but ready to bounce up should someone want to play with her.   Hope this pose is not detrimental to her hips. 

Finally, Piper has completed her Bronze level training and she has a certificate to prove it too.   It also means that we get a reduction in our dog registration fees next year.    Happy days.

Our U3A walk last Thursday was held in the atrocious wet and windy weather.   Just about everyone turned up for the proposed walk along the beach, which ended up as a walk along the edge of Aldinga Scrub Reserve, where there was a little less wind.   However we are a tough lot. 

A view of part of the wetlands, which is part of the conservation programme.    Large areas have been set aside for the programme, namely how to manage storm water, rather than let it flow straight out into the sea, which then causes pollution and destroys the sea grasses.    The wetlands have attracted many species of water birds, as well as being attractive areas to walk around.

Aldinga Beach after the storm, when the storm left a large area covered in stones and looking like a beach in England.

We visited Glenelg with Donna, Patrick and Lucy, in order to look at the world Surf Life Saving competitions.     This is a very exciting event for Adelaide.    Sadly the weather has not been pleasant, what with rain, wind and cloud cover plus low temperatures. 

On the beach there is now an area set aside for hiring sun loungers, together with a bar and I presume a restaurant. 

Lucy took the photograph below the previous Sunday, on a lovely hot day, and before the storm the following Wednesday.    Very Mediterranean.

The view of the same area last Sunday, after the storm.   There was a deep ditch in front of the building in order to prevent the waves washing everything away.    We think one of the stands for the Surf Life Saving Carnival was washed away, but not really sure.   The competition was being held in the background.

The competitions in progress.

Some of the swimmers.

Moseley Square, Glenelg, all ready for Christmas.

And a couple of photos of new additions to the house.    Darren used left over timber to build a long garden bed in which I am growing herbs plus a few vegetables, namely peppers, courgettes, tomatoes, silverbeet and a couple of strange looking rhubarb plants.   Unfortunately some of the plants are struggling due to Piper digging up the soil in search of the horse poo which lies at the bottom of the beds.

The new verandah and pool fence, so  much room now to walk around the house and on a couple of hot days we could feel the benefit of the wide verandah.

I managed my second bike ride with a very patient group.   It was a gradual climb all the way from Aldinga to Willunga, a climb that is barely noticeable in a car.    But I should have realised it would be tough, the view from Aldinga is of a town half way up the hills behind us.    Our 'Mr Condescending' or 'Mr Know it all' kept away from me, and generally just circled around, and did a few extra kilometres.   But he was full of information about bike paths around Adelaide, and very pleasant about it, so I decided that he was okay after all. 

And now that I am finished this blog, there is no excuse but return to the paper work.   Ever onwards.

A challenging week

I have definitely been challenged this week, on three occasions.     There was a difficult bike ride on Monday, an ongoing dog training class on Tuesday, and an occasion where I needed to follow an unwritten rule on Thursday.    Unfortunately I do not have any photos of any of these events, due to being too involved in the challenges.

The bike ride.    I eventually gained confidence to join the U3A cycling group, and persuaded Walter to be my back up vehicle.    He very kindly loaded my bicycle into the back of the car, after taking off the front wheel, and drove me to the starting point at Seaford shopping centre.   We waited at the wrong place, before driving around the shopping centre where we found the group nearly ready to ride off.  Not a good start.  

The bike ride was extremely hard work, mostly on bicycle paths, some of them gravel, some potholed, and some in excellent condition.    There were two extremely long climbs,  and a strong hot wind just to add to the challenge.    The people in the group were fantastic, and were very encouraging but I was always so far behind them, and one rider had to stay with me so that I did not get lost.   It was during the ride that I regretted the decision to buy an ordinary bike rather than an electrically assisted bike.   

And to add to the challenge there was Mr 'Condescending' who let me know that I paid too much for my bike, and I could have got a cheaper bike from KMart rather than Bike 99, that the new tubes added to the weight, and that I wobbled at times.   And by the way Mr Condescending was thin because he cycled and exercised a lot.   That is what he told me, and Walter, both of us a little on the chubby side, during the coffee break.  I gained most of the information above as I struggled in the head wind, feeling very inadequate, while Mr Condescending rode slowly beside me.   

But the good news was that I dressed appropriately in trousers and a long sleeved shirt!   No lycra allowed in this group.  

I am now practising cycling uphill every day.   I am determined to not give in.   I have been told that it will get easier.   Next week the ride is on flat ground.   It will be interesting.

Now Tuesday evening is always a challenge.   Dog training night.    Both Walter and I attend, it is too much for one person.     We are in the group that has restless dogs, or difficult to train owners.   Not sure of the difference.    Piper is certainly not the star pupil, and she has an attention span of about five seconds.     She would also much rather chase the birds that tantalising land in groups behind the class, or play with the other dogs.     And to top it off the weather has been cold every night, with a strong wind often sweeping across the open reserve.

The challenge on Thursday was more about accepting rules.    After I retired I did not join a group activity, due to wanting the freedom to do as I please without conforming to rules, spoken or unspoken.    But the need to meet people here meant that I needed to join groups and activities.   Although most of the people who belong to the cycling and walking groups are from Europe and England, they have all been here long enough to have picked up the Australian way of doing things.   And I am the new chum.   And there are rules, mostly unspoken, such as the 'no lycra'.

On Thursday the walk was local, to the aerodrome and back again, on a path initially but mostly walking along the side of the road. An ideal walk with a dog, especially as it was a cool day,.   I asked one of the walkers last week, about taking a dog, and she thought it was a good idea.   Of course I should have asked the group co-ordinator.    I know now.    

Anyway I set off to the meeting point with Piper walking briskly beside me, and as I approached I could see a cluster of walkers with their backs to me.   As I approached, they all ignored me, no 'hellos' or hugs, and no eye contact either.   I knew instantly it was 'the dog'.   The co-ordinator was very understanding, but emphasised that no dogs were allowed on the walks, as some people do not like them, and it could be a health and safety problem.   

So I rang Walter, who came and picked up Piper in the car, who thought she was going on an outing, but home she went.

But the upshot was, there was nothing in the U3A brochure about dogs on walks, and like the lycra it was an unspoken rule.  At that point I nearly gave up, I so prefer the freedom to make my own decisions.  However, I went on the walk, and it was lovely, with perfect weather and friendly company.    But I did feel very chastised and my ego certainly had quite a dent in it.

And now onto other events and some photographs.     

The Saturday ParkRun, or in my case a walk/slow jog, is an activity I really look forward to, even though it is often held in windy weather.   Dogs, children and elderly people are encouraged to take part, as well as the people who can run.   On the day that the photo below was taken, I was the 'Tail Walker', with the responsibility of walking at the back to ensure everyone in front was okay.   I also had to collect the banner at the turning point and bring it back.   

Walter has now joined the ParkRun, and today he walked the 5 kms in an hour.   His new knee did not bother him at all.   We were very proud of him.

The two photos below are of Aldinga Beach.   The first photo was taken on a sunny day, and no wind.    

The following photo was taken on a windy day, with plenty of surf.  For those people who know Aldinga Beach, they will notice there is a building on the foreshore.    We think this is going to be a cafe, but the progress of building it is so slow we all doubt it will be ready for this summer.   

Back to Piper.     The good news is Piper has made dramatic progress, due to the lessons and the consistent training during the week, plus a huge amount of treats and a wooden spoon covered in peanut butter.   She mostly ignores the dogs in the neighbourhood throwing themselves against fences as we walk past, and responds to the following commands - stop, sit, stay, lie and go.   She has learnt tricks so can shake hands, walk between legs and today she learnt to roll over.

She is also a very loving dog, and is friendly towards other dogs she meets on the beach.   She loves the freedom of the beach, and I try and take her there every morning at 7 a.m.  Dogs are allowed off the leash until 10 am, on the main part of Aldinga Beach.   She is besotted with chasing a ball, and waits eagerly for me to throw it.    She also comes back instantly when called.    She  goes for a swim, well more like a paddle really, and drops the ball in the water, and waits for me to collect it.   A bit of a game.   

And for two weeks we had a little visitor at Darren's house, namely Elvis.    Elvis very quickly asserted his authority over Piper, who followed him around, the large dog following the little dog.   It was very sweet.   I took Elvis for a few walks on his own, to give him a bit of peace from Piper.   

Elvis believes he is a large dog, but he is in fact a very cute little dog.

And so next week we start again, with a few less challenges I hope.   And a little less denting of the ego too. 

 I might add that despite all the walking and cycling I am still chubby around the middle.

Bits and Pieces

It has been so long since I wrote a blog that I am having trouble finding the keys on the laptop.   An absence from writing does not do the brain any good at all.

So how do I fill the day?   All I know is that each day goes by far too fast.    Emma, Steve, Jackson and Isabel are living with us, which certainly fills in quite a bit of time.   But great having family in the house though.   There is plenty of outside work taking place, and that certainly takes time, and a special thank you to Darren, Emma, Steve, Jackson, Isabel and Patrick for all their help.   And not to mention family and friends visiting us, which we are loving.   

But the most time consuming activity concerns 'the dog', called Piper.   A puppy still, and the cattle dog part of her wants plenty of exercise and action.   She is keeping us all occupied, and me very fit.   She has now been going to dog training classes for a few weeks, and I might add, she is not top of the class, all the other dogs and birds flying around are just too distracting.   But we are learning heaps.   It is just as well that we are not too house proud, as there is a fair amount of dog hair, muddy paw marks and sand in the house and car.   However, she is a most gorgeous dog and we all love her. 

I have lots of notes and plenty of photos, and a determination to make time to write, but it will be a disorganised approach, unfortunately.    Usually I like to have my blogs organised in topics, but it is good for my super organised ego, not to be super organised.

So here goes.

The sticky flies are attaching themselves to my hands as I am typing, due to the fact that I am sitting outside in the shade.   Bloody Australian flies.   I need a net over the hands.

First off, a view of Aldinga Beach in the early morning.   As from the 1st October, dogs can only go on the beach, without a lead, between the hours of 8 pm and 10 am.   The 1st October was also the first day for cars on the beach so there are now wheel marks everywhere.   But there are usually no cars there before 10 am, with exception to the area called the boat ramp.    I might add there is no actual ramp, but that is where all the boats are launched into the water.

 During the past two weeks the tide in the early morning seems to be either going out or coming in but always at the high tide mark, so not much sand to walk on.   Piper loves chasing a tennis ball, and it certainly keeps her occupied, but she has found a new trick, which is to carry the ball into the water, where she uses her nose to move it around, and then leaves it for me to retrieve.   Wet sand shoes are becoming the norm for me.  On one occasion she jumped against me as I was retrieving the ball, and I fell over, on the wet sand.   I discovered that wet sand is like falling on concrete.   Ouch.

However I love the early morning walks, with hardly anyone on the beach, just me and my dog.

And while we are on the subject of Piper.    The pool hose, chewed one evening, while we were otherwise occupied with our red wine and barbeque.   

 Every Saturday morning Emma, Steve and I join many other people for the Park Run event.  Our Park Run is not in a park, but along the cliff path, with absolutely magnificent views to inspire us.    I must add that Emma and Steve run, and are both doing brilliantly, whereas I join the walkers.   Surprisingly I am finding that I can walk very fast, and I can still jog    Last week I came 52 out of 90 people registered for the event, and the fastest for my age group.   And surprisingly there are a reasonable number of over 70s.     

I have bought some 'active gear', so beloved by Australian women.    I need to look the part. 

A view of the path, with some of the participants in front.    The Park Run is open to all, and there were family groups, older people and people with dogs, plus the serious runners.    There is also a brilliant online programme which tracks everyone's progress.   A fantastic worldwide organisation which started in the UK.

 I have also joined the U3A walkers group.   People were very friendly and I loved my first outing, plus the very long coffee session afterwards. 

Unfortunately I wore the wrong clothes, as I arrived in my 'active gear' on my first meet with the U3A walkers, who were all dressed in sensible jeans, shorts or walking trousers.   For those people who do not live in Australia, 'active gear' consists of lycra sports tops and bottoms, which for some reason is very popular with many women here, and used for shopping trips or for general casual wear.    As they are usually wearing strappy sandals or flip flops and are out shopping, one can surmise that there has been no exercise involved except for a slow walk

The ruins of an old farm house and shed, taken on my first walk with the U3A.

Poppy and Piper having a brilliant time in the water.   They love to play together, great friends.

Our back area in the process of getting a new roof, and pool fence.   I can hear the workman cutting the metal for the fence, as I am writing this blog.   But more about the work later.

And now it is time for lunch, and snooze time for Piper, so innocently asleep on her bed, well more precisely Poppy's bed.

Thank goodness I have made a start, so plenty of blogs to follow, even if they are a little disjointed, but definitely a summary of our life in Aldinga Beach.

I wish I could do something with these bloody flies.