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