So after the excitement of Radalaide in January it was time for a few very busy months at work which included a four week swing ðŸ˜
We did have some fun though we managed to head down to Shoalwater Marine Park for some snorkeling although didn't have time to pop across to Penguin Island...have to save that for next time.
We also headed out on our bikes for a change in preparation for our Alice Springs Race (more on that in a bit).
In other news Naomi decided that getting Married next year wasn't enough to plan for so suggested the idea that we do an Ironman. I thought this was just a phase she would grow out of. It wasn't!! The entries opened and there I was at 9am sharp to book on to Ironman Melbourne. Now for those that don't know Ironman is a long distance triathlon 3.8km (2.4mile) swim, 180km (112mile) cycle and running marathon 42km (26mile). Now what's the first thing you do after signing up to such a thing... See below... Slightly different priorities!
Naomi's google search - training plans
My Google search- post race grub how to replenish the calories!!!!
So the Ironman set in motion a year of hard training and whilst busy at work we found ourselves a few training races to enter. Look out for City to Surf marathon in August, a marathon starting in Perth city then around Kings Park and on the Swan River passing past our house to City Beach. Despite the pain it should be a great route passing loads of our favourite places.
Next on the list is Augusta adventure race. A run, swim, paddle and bike in the Southern tip of WA in November. Should be a cracker and might have to call in at a few wineries and brewerys whilst we are at it!!!
After all the hard work of February and March, April finally came around and we actually got to see each other! The end of the week was Naomi's 'fake birthday' as she would be away on the 4th. I had planned what I would get her but hiding it would be an issue.
With some major redistribution of the cupboards I succeeded and Naomi was none the wiser...
Guess what is in the big box Naomi!!!
Ta da!!! A stand up paddle board!
Hee hee I fooled her.... not stand up paddle board shape is it? Well we might have used up pretty much all our storage space in the house with bikes so I got Naomi an inflatable SUP board! And it wouldn't be Naomi's birthday unless I got myself a pressie too... guess what I got! Our new additions to the family have been named Puff (after puffer fish) and Blow (after blow fish)
After opening the rest of all her birthday presses including from the dodgy Evans', whose parcel was opened by customs, we headed out to Matilda Bay on the swan river. The boards were surprisingly stable compared to our Adelaide experience, and we were soon overtaking jet skis for fun! Once in the middle of the river we realised however that we were completely surrounded by bizzilions of jelly fish. We now felt very wobbly all of a sudden and were terrified of falling in! It turned out, one google search later, that the jellyfish are totally harmless to humans, so we were reassured for next time.
After SUPing we decided to head out to Cottesloe beach for birthday lunch... yummy yummy! Just a pity about the naff view!!!
So after 'fake birthday' festivities it was time to drop Naomi off at the Airport for her trip to Bali (you have already read about that). Next morning I headed back to the airport to head back up to work, this time only 8 days though!
So after a quick stint back in the Pilbara I headed back to the airport this time destination UK! After a reasonably uneventful couple of flights back (with the exception of a 10hour game of peek-a-boo with a toddler, so good of her to keep me entertained for the whole flight!!), I landed back in Manchester... guess what... it was raining!!!
Dad picked me up and took the micky out of me the whole way back for shivering uncontrollably! This didn't get any better the next day at the Shay when I couldn't finish my pint for shivering too much! Watching the fax was great for 39minutes, 24-0 up against the league leaders, then just to reassure me that things don't change too much, they threw it away and lost... somethings never change!
I also headed up to see the Brook Family and was beaten within an inch of my life by Harvey and Havana! It was amazing to see them all though and had a great time, definitely helping to wake me up from jet lag! Next was a great walk with Harry and Joshua through the woods to Grandmas! Joshua managed to point out every train in the Calder Valley and even spotted a steam train, don't think Kelly believed him.
Now my reason for heading home was for the Kelly and Mike's big day, but Naomi had decided that I had to play don't tell the bride and sort venues, food etc out for our wedding. I won't say too much about the venues and wedding save that for next year, but food and beer tasting is definitely a tough task to have to carry out! I did have to clarify that Tom wasn't my partner though when I took him along for his expert knowledge on beers and food!
So after indulging and eating it was time to burn off some of the calories. First on the list was a trip up to Ambleside for the Amby 8. I realised that the lake district mountains are a little bit harder than the Perth hills and I can say safely that I was bloody knackered. The weather had picked up too and was a perfect spring day, the mercury rose into double figures, just, and well I got sunburnt. Unbloodybelieveable! 9 months in 40 degrees and burnt in 16!!!
Next was the peak district and Jacobs ladder, another cracking day out in perfect weather and luckily bike stayed upright! It was great to head out and see the peaks without rain!
So after a week of biking, walking, eating, drinking and after sunning it was time for the wedding of the year!
After a lovely ceremony and my excellent signing of the register, it was great to see so many friends and family and catch up with everyone over dinner and dancing! It was an amazing day, thank you Sharman's looking forward to doing it all over again next year now, hopefully Naomi will be able to make it next year too and not have to miss out :-(!
So after a recovery day with massive Yorkshire puddings at the carvary and another day fending off beatings ups from little people it was time to head back to Oz and back to normality. Time at home was short but had a great time and amazing to see everyone.
Keep your eye out next week for updates from Alice Springs for the Ingkerreke Commercial Mountain Bike Enduro. Hopefully if we don't lose it again (NAOMI) we might use the go pro and get some bonus action shots for you!!!
Until then keep stacking!
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