My Dad

I have just come back from Dunedin from visiting my dad in hospital. I was inspired to share some thoughts and reflections on my dad from the recent past when reading about Kay's dad on her recent post. Since in my early 20's my dad and I have shared a special relationship around sporting endeavours. I had a game of pool with dad in Dunedin in the nursing home, Little Sisters two weeks ago. Sadly it was nothing like old times as dad was very confused about what balls to hit and that you have to hit the white ball first...old age can be cruel. My dad is now 84 but only 4 years ago he was a lot sharper. Here is a tongue and cheek account of one of those times!


                                                            Thrashed

Oh the embarrassment! Cleaned up by my 80 year young father!

I suppose I shouldn't take it so hard as he has regularly beaten me in my earlier contests with him. In fact he has been consistently competitive over the years and we have brought out the best and worst in each other at times. Neither of us likes to lose.

I should be philosophical about the result as I did gain a convincing victory last time and I did have some bad luck this time. But some how this does not seem to bring me any solace!

I'm beginning to sound more like John all the time. Must have read too many of his blogs. If only I could express my feelings as well as he! If I could you would truly understand how devastating this defeat was!

I suppose you are saying to yourself ''Get over it man. It's only a game!''. If only I could take some consolation in that thought!

I mean the humiliation. How can I possibly hold my head high when I've been comprehensively thrashed 4-0. I suppose there will be other days and hopefully better days where I can restore some self respect.

Back to the drawing board. Out with the pool cue and a strict practising regime before I head back down to Dunedin again to find some redemption. That is if my dad is gracious enough and willing to allow me the chance to challenge him again. He may now think I am not sufficiently skilled for him to bother playing with.

Can only hope I can pick up the pieces and get myself sorted out before next time.

I do apologise for my ramblings and the negative depressing nature of this blog. Do forgive me. It has been a long upsetting and trying day in coming to terms with my recent defeat. 

Thrashed in pool 4 - 0 by my ageing father. The shame!

At Christmas in Nelson in 2011 [with Bernard, Catherine, Margaret, Vincent and myself]

With my sisters Margaret and Catherine

My Beautiful Lady

Inspired by Flower Lady Lorraine's post on her lovely roses I want to dedicate this post to my lovely lady, Lea! She will hate me for this but never mind I will live with the repercussions. As embarrassed as she might be I'm sure she appreciates my sentiments. It is a song I wrote 3 months ago. Will try and get a recording made and posted at a later date!



Being with you warms me inside
Being with you at morning rise
My beautiful lady stay close to me
My beautiful lady you are to me

From the moment I met you found true love
From that moment in time from heaven above
You are my world...you make me whole
I love you dear lady heart and soul

Be mine to hold through good and bad
Be mine to cherish through happy and sad
Be mine forever for the rest of our days
Be mine my dearest...be mine

I will hold your hand when you need a friend
I will hold you close until the end
I will be your lover through the passing years
I will be here always in world we share

My beautiful lady...my beautiful lady
My beautiful lady...stay here with me

Kate's Graduation

As mentioned all those months ago my oldest girl was finishing a Human Nutrition degree. Well she has finished and has the certificate and cap to prove it.

I am a very proud dad.

Kate with her partner, Jason

Will catch up with you all soon from kiwi land!

Catching up with family

As the school holidays are a distant memory and I'm back in the grind I reflect on recent catch ups with my girls.

I have been fortunate over the last few years to have regular contact with my oldest daughter, Kate. She has been studying Human Nutrition at Massey University, an hour up the road. Alice has been a year training as a medic in the army and is based in Christchurch in the South Island. I caught up with them both for a week here in Paraparaumu Beach and spent a few days in Mt Maunganui, staying near the beach. It was hot and swimming at the beach was great.

[From left Kate, Alice and myself at Mt Maunganui]

Celebrating my birthday on January 13th


Hope all is well with my patient blogging followers. I have had difficulty uploading photos onto my blog from home. I am posting this from school as I prepare for an 80 km after school cycle ride. Will take some photos to include in my next post. 

The World of Cycling

My Dear Readers

Hoping to touch base with you all! Will write this post and go and catch up!

Many of you have heard various running and cycling stories from now long ago. Since my cycling accident March 2012 I have become more of a cyclist than runner. Strange you might think due to the seriousness of my accident. Unfortunately, against common sense, I have caught the cycling bug and love getting into my lycras.

Have just found a connection to download from my camera so here is another cycling adventure.

It is the middle of summer here and we have been blessed with 4 sunny days in succession. I thought I would take advantage of the lovely still weather to take you on one of my cycling training rides. Just a short one today of about 25 miles or 40 km in kiwi language. Please try and keep up as the pace gets a bit steady at times. Will give you a moment to catch your breath periodically and take in the scenery.

Buckled up and ready to go!

                                                    Through the cutting to Otaihanga!

About to head over the Waikanae River!

These people have the right idea!

!

Some deep breaths needed as a sharp hill approaches!

Summer Flowers! Aren't they pretty!

That Tavern looks inviting! Maybe later!

                             At Pekapeka Beach! No time for a dip unfortunately! 

                                                  Heading for the Hills!

                            Steep climb ahead! Time to change down the gears!

                                       You're going great! Half way there!

                                

                         Well done you've made it! Now for a breather down hill! 

                                                 Some admiring spectators!

                            Which way shall we go? Definitely beach weather!

Wobbly road ahead!

One way bridge! Check for oncoming traffic!

Be careful!

We have arrived at Te Horo Beach...our turnaround point!

A pretty place!

Enjoy your ride home as there is a lovely tail wind!

Hope you enjoyed our ride together! Please join me again!

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

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