Old man

We went to bed a little earlier than usual last night after our efforts on the hike. Not so much to sleep, but to put the weary bodies to rest. I think that we both slept soundly.

Upon waking this morning the old man legs had come to visit. My knees were stiff and my lower back was stiff and I felt like an Old man when I began to walk down the stairs. I could feel that the gout had once again caught up with me. Predominantly I think due to the exertion and dehydration although I tried to drink enough last night. Fortunately the gout is mild and after a dose of the pills I have not had much trouble from the foot. Same foot, different toes.

Ingrid went to Pilates and I stayed at home doing some of the puzzel that we had bought. It is not a difficult puzzle, but sometimes the pieces hide in the masses and even a focussed search for a piece does not yield fruits. Oftentimes coming back after a 10 minute break helps and you zero in on the piece in seconds. 

After brekkie on the deck as it was once again a lovely morning, we played wisseldag and did the washing and cleaning etc. It has been a great day for washing weather wise with full on sun and a a light breeze. The wind was expected to pick up in the later afternoon, and it has listened to the forecasters. 

A while later we went to Granny's pools for a coffee and sat and watched the kids playing on the beach and in the sea. It really is a pretty sheltered place to swim (A mini harbour of sorts with a boat launching ramp). We sat there for much longer than we normally do and just sat an watched and enjoyed. There was plenty keep us occupied and we had all day, so we enjoyed.

Next we went to Baker Barry for our weekly vegetable lasagne and a ciabatta for lunch. With nothing much else on the agenda it was home time and Ingrid read a few pages of her book while I took the stairs for an afternooner.

I was not planning on going to the usual wednesday evening time trial as I have the soft rack roof racks and in a ahrd wind I do not trust them all that much. Considering the fact that I was loaning a surfski from Carbonology Sport I think it is prudent to try to keep this one whole! (Brought the last one back in 2 pieces... Oeps).  Peter phoned to ask if I would like to paddle with him in his double ski (2 Persons). If this meant that I could still paddle, who was I to say no. I genuinely prefer to paddle in a double as I suffer from the mind games that I play with myself in a single ski and in a double I seem to up my game.

I met Peter at the venue a little early to get the setup for my leg length correct and we were set for the gun (Whistle in this case). 1,2,3, GO!  We were off and within 10 paddle strokes set up in the lead with another ski on either side cathing our slipstream (similar to cycling) Riding slipstream in a surfski will apparently decrease your effort byup to 14%. They were happy to sit in the slipstream and we we happy to do all of the work. At the end we crossed the finish line 1st although I suspect that AC as he is called could probably have beaten us if he had wanted to.

Peter had to rush off to another engagement and I stood for a while and chatted to a few others, 1 of whom I went up to and said, I know your face, but do not know your name. Rob, an lod aquaintance from many years ago who was in the same life saving club as we were. Probably 30 years ago I guess.

Back home Ingrid was sitting watching some TV and we ended up watching an episode of gold rush white water and had our meal. Yummy!

Brother was going to come on over today and I have not yet heard from him as he had apped that the wind was not great. Other than that no other comments. I did speak to the receptionist back home and I do not ask about the day to day things and trust that Catja will call (like she did) if she needed to know something. Good to have her at the reigns. No news from the kids today or from Mom. Time to put this old man to bed.