Biking and a lesson in playing pool

As I sit here ready to do the blog entry I was instructed to do, with Paul looking right over my shoulder making sure I just get on with it, I'm contemplating what I might share with you today...

The day started rather down for me as it is the anniversary of my dad's death.  He committed suicide in 1985 and I still remember that night when my mum came home quite late.  I remember her sitting on the bed telling us that there was an accident.  It was about a week before my 9th birthday.  Okay, 5 days to be exact with my birthday this coming Friday.  My dad and I weren't all that close I don't think (or at least I don't remember much) and I don't have all that many memories of him (I do remember us going fishing once), but I do feel sad that he chose to do what he did and he will never get to be a grandfather to my kids.

Gerhard Opperman - my dad

So for a large part of the day I felt fairly quiet.  I watched a bit of Flight of the Conchords while Paul was desperately trying to fix some bike wheel punctures.  Rather frustrating for him as it didn't work so well for most of the time he spent slaving away at it.

Almost ready to just give up, he finally managed to get one tube fixed and we were ready to go for a bike ride.  To be honest I wasn't really in the right frame of mind, but went out anyway.  Wasn't an easy ride as we had some rain for part of our journey (and that is never a good thing with wearing glasses as I could hardly see where I was going).  We did a hilly ride and of course Paul would sprint away while I could barely get to the top of some of these hills and then he'd turn around to race back to me asking me how I was going.  He must have thought I was rather grumpy as I wasn't all that good with a conversation and could barely get the words "fine" out between my heavy breathing.

Halfway through our bike ride we stopped off at the Waikanae Pub where Paul tried his best to teach me some pool.  I think he was determined not to be beaten by a girl, but he didn't have to worry because I wasn't much competition for him.  Was great fun anyway and I think future strategies of mine should be just to try and get my balls as close as possible to his to make it as hard as possible for him instead of aiming for the pockets ;-).

Very determined not to be beaten by a girl

Ready to put on quite the fight...

 It was getting dark by the time we left and I felt pleased when Paul indicated we were going about 36 km / hour (I think that is about 22 miles per hour, but don't take my word for it as I'm rather useless with math).

I did manage to beat Paul on the last stretch home which I felt really proud about considering he is such a great cyclist.  Okay, it helped that he didn't realise it was a race at the time.  Somehow I don't think I'll have it as easy next time...

It was good to get out for the bike ride even though I didn't find it particularly easy today (well actually I have yet to find it easy), but it is a great feeling knowing we went out and I managed.

How was your weekend, what did you get up to?