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Saturday 2 August 2014

I'm in a band

Hope all is well in blogging world! 

Had a skype with my good mate, John this morning. It was a great pick me up after a long time with no contact.

Yes, it is true! I'm finally in a band. I play keyboards and harmonica. Our band 'Lazarus' has written a song called 'Like a Stone which we got to perform at the Fringe Bar, Wellington on Tuesday night. I think we did really well. Click the link below to have a look and listen. The words are below the link! Lea is standing on my left at the keyboards helping with vocals.

http://youtu.be/HiQgiUDw0YY

Like A Stone
As I looked out the window
The sun was shining bright
Birds were singing happily
With the parting of the night

Chorus
It don’t matter what they say
Some things you just can’t take away
Today I will be heading home
I’ll stay strong……like a stone

The meal last night was my last one
The chair's all good to go
I close my eyes and remember you
I’m ready for the show

Chorus

Humming
Oh oh…oh oh

Chorus

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh x6



Wednesday 23 April 2014

Moon To The Sea

Well here I am again after only a week! Thank you my followers who wrote such lovely positive messages on my last post. I have tried to catch up with your blogs but I missed you I'll hopefully catch you on the next round.

I have been taking singing lessons for the last 6 months with an amazing singing teacher. She is a professional singer and she also writes and performs her own songs.

Anita has not only been helping me with my singing techniques, I can hear her now 'open throat', but she has also helped me with slight changes to some of my best songs.

Lea has recorded a few of these for me and has uploaded one on to You Tube. I showed Anita at Saturday's singing lesson and she gave me the thumbs up for singing mostly with an open throat. Hope you like my new revamped version of 'Moon to the Sea'. Click the link below the lyrics to have a listen!


As The Moon To The Sea
You are a jewel a sparkling fire
Cannot resist to stand and admire
I gaze on your beauty...shall never tire
Serenading sweetly as a bird on a wire
 
Your gentle touch...love you so much
Bring peace to my soul...inner voices hush
Just being with you...helps the days through
Everything's possible...all I can do
 

                                                                         Chorus
                                                       l could search a thousand years
                                                         Look high, low, far and near
                                                     You are to me as the moon to the sea
                                              I'm nothing without you...but sad and lonely


                                                         Burns inside a constant desire
                                            Your very presence lifts me higher and higher
                                                     Life is good...am out of the woods
                                              Would have it not any other way if I could


                                                                         Chorus
                                                         l could search a thousand years
                                                           Look high, low, far and near
                                                    You are to me as the moon to the sea
                                             I'm nothing without you...but sad and lonely

               
                                                                         Bridge
                                                           My heart is filled with joy
                                                          Each day I spend with you
                                                            No-one other than you
                                                         Makes me feel the way I do


                                                                           Chorus
                                                        l could search a thousand years
                                                          Look high, low, far and near
                                                    You are to me as the moon to the sea
                                              I'm nothing without you...but sad and lonely
                                              I'm nothing without you...but sad and lonely


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPWCL9u8Og4

Monday 14 April 2014

Surf, sea and sand

With the ending of day light saving and the appearance of dark clouds, wind and rain, I look back to the summer as it passes and fades almost into a distant memory.

I really enjoyed getting out on my bike, often morning and night. Now it is getting dark by 6 pm and making the daily cycle more of a challenge.

Not really being able to run has given me a reason to take the cycling more seriously and I have had many races over the summer. I'm finding I'm getting stronger and faster on the hills and on the flat. Yesterday I rode in the Wellington Road Championships over 75 hilly km's [48 miles] and finished 3rd in my age group. On the flatter parts of the course we reached speeds of over 50 kph [32 mph]. It is exciting to have new challenges and encouraging to see the improvement I'm making under my coach, Bob. He says that in another year I should be extremely competitive at the rate I'm going in my training and racing.

Thought I'd leave you with some photos from the summer days at the beach. It was lovely soaking up the warm rays and cooling off in the refreshing surf.

Can't get me
 
Who you trying to kid?
 
Kapiti Coast

Off to catch a wave??



Hope my followers are fit and well and I'm looking forward to catching up with their latest news. Hope you haven't given up on me.

It's good to be back! With the school holidays coming up I hope to have more time and photo opportunities to grace you with my company again soon. NO PROMISES! 





 


Thursday 23 January 2014

Gym Geeks

Yesterday I took Bianca and Caitlyn along to my local gym to put them through their paces! While this is not entirely the truth!

With Lea working and with me in full charge in the holidays I thought I would combine my workout with them being part of what I do.

How young is too young? Marion no doubt has the answer to that one!

Children are allowed in my gym as long as they are actively supervised. Since I have been going through my routines since my cycling accident last March I thought it would be fun to show them the ropes and for them to follow along with me and try out some of the equipment. They really enjoyed their workout as you might see in the following photos!

Bianca warming up to her work
 

Caitlyn trying out the shoulder press
 
 
Lifting weights is fun!
 

Look at those strong arms
 

Sisterly assistance
 

Love this cycling
 
Girls trying out the Cross Trainer
 
 
 

 
 
105 lb chest press


Pulling 250 lbs! Started at 120 last March...not for the faint hearted!


 
I have enjoyed the new fitness challenges that my accident has opened up through inability to run at the moment. I also enjoyed seeing the girls trying out something new that worked up a sweat, not too onerous and was fun.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Monday 20 January 2014

Summer Days

I know most of my readers are chilling it out in the middle of winter but I couldn't resist posting on a recent bbq we had with family and friends. This also tied in as a low key intro to my actual celebration. When you get to my age you might as well milk the occasion.

We had chicken, bacon, venison sausages, home-made meat patties, boerewors [farmer's sausage in Afrikaans] and fresh garden salad.

Showing off skills
 
Pauline decorates the table
 
Time to dig in

Vincent admiring Kate's portioning

My work buddy, Peter wondering what Vincent has spilled on the new carpet


With full tummies it's time for a yarn


What gathering is complete without a sing along





 

 

Have included a photo that didn't make my last post of my birthday.

 
 
 
Thank you once again Lea for the wonderful photos! That lovely camera of yours is sure getting a workout!

Thursday 16 January 2014

55 years young

On Monday I celebrated my 55th birthday with Lea, my oldest daughter Kate, my brother, Vincent and his partner, Dixie. It was a small affair but a special time.

 
Dixie and Vincent

As Lea was working I decided to cook up a dish that I had never tried before. It was Moroccan lamb with a range of condiments to enhance the flavour. The dish had onions, carrot, almonds, cinammon, orange zest, cumin, raisins soaked in sherry, beef stock and was served with rice.




I was really pleased how it came out.




Some pretty flowers helped created the festive mood.




For dessert I made chocolate and cinammon ice-cream with chocolate sauce, served with strawberries.




My brother and I played some Leonard Cohen.


 

Lea had baked a chocolate cake which Kate had decorated.


 
 
I really enjoyed celebrating my 55th birthday and occasions like this makes me appreciate those who are close. Though my circumstances have changed family and special friends have been there for me and I happily look forward to many more birthdays!
 
 

Thursday 9 January 2014

Sunny Summer Sunday Stroll

It is great to get out for walks in the summer! I took Lea, Bianca and Caitlyn out for a 30 minute saunter around a track that I have used in training numerous times. This outing was done at a much more leisurely pace. I will let the photos tell the story. Hope you enjoy coming along with us!


 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
As you have seen there were lovely views and pretty shady bush on our walk. Will be back soon with some more photos of life on the Kapiti Coast!