Exercising options.

On Friday night, a week ago, Bruno and I headed off to the local Barefoot Bowls. We were in opposing teams which made the competition "on".

Earlier that day Bruno had been asked if I played bowls before, to which the reply was no. He was then asked to fill in, on one of the Corporate Teams which played for "sheep stations" on Sundays. The team of all things was called The Pink Ladies.
However, getting back to Friday night bowls. I was struck with beginners luck and was bowling very well for a first time. It wasn't long before Bruno was demoted and I became the new replacement for the Pink Ladies. I did try to warn them that they were taking a gamble with me but I think they were also worried that Bruno in pink was not going to be a good look. We went on to win our Friday night game.
Anyway, Sunday came and I put on the only pink Tshirt I owned and headed to the Bowls Club. I was feeling quite good and proceeded to have my first bowl and ouch! the back of my thigh was complaining not to say the ball went way off track. My next turn came and again as I lunged forward to bowl the pain in my leg sent me off target once again. By the time I had bowled three more times it was obvious that I couldn't play anymore. The pain, every time I bent forward sent me off balance and consequently the balls were way off. Lucky some of my fellow team players were nursing staff and yes, I had strained my hamstring muscle. Bugger! I had really let the team down. Despite the absence of me they did go onto win and I have to live down the fact that I strained a hamstring by playing, of all things BOWLS!
Zumba started this week so Monday I spent nursing my injury determined to make that class on Tuesday which I did. The class was a bit different to what I am used to but it was fun and at least I am getting out there and burning some of those excess calories. Now Zumba is only once a week, so, what am I going to do the rest of the week. Exercise options on the island are varied and I can choose from bike riding, swimming, bowls (which I have decided is NOT for someone as young as me!) aqua aerobics, karate and Scottish Country Dancing. I have decided to give bike riding a go on Monday, Wednesday. Zumba Tuesday. Swimming on Thursday and aqua aerobics on Friday. Now that does sound like a plan doesn't it?

To end this blog I will leave with you some scenes from the island.

Looking out at Whitemark beach

Gardening is in the genes.

I knew it wouldn't take me long to get into the gardens here, but it is a world I know very little of. As all of my Qld friends and family know, my garden at home had a tropical theme and it did take me many years (we were there 18 years) to perfect and sort out which plants do well and where.
On Flinders, I was lucky as there was already a little vege plot which I am going to use for my herbs. Bruno is going to build me some raised garden beds very soon for our veges. So, the herb plot is coming on nicely and herb seedlings I planted on a previous visit here are looking much better now with a bit of TLC and water. Kirsty and mum bought me some name stakes for my garden and I have now put them to good use.

Herb Garden with potato plant to the left.

I had an unidentified plant growing in this particular plot and after a bit of research it is a potato plant. So, just waiting for the leaves to go yellow and then the potatoes are ready for picking. New potatoes! Yum.
I brought many of my pots with me from Qld so I have to decided what I am going to plant in them. My big troughs that had herbs in them back home I am dedicating to flowers. Before I left Kirsty bought me FORGET-ME-NOT seeds. So, last weekend I decided to plant them out. I prepared the troughs, made the burrows and proceeded to plant the seeds. I planted two rows and then while doing the third row, a gust of wind (which is unpredictable at times) blew the packet of seeds out of my hand and around the corner. NO..... I cried out and when I got to the packet there were only 3 seeds left in the packet. I was so close to crying, it really upset me. "They were the seeds that Kirsty got for me and now most of them are gone," I sobbed and poor Bruno spent a good 20 mins searching for wayward seeds for me. He did manage to find another 6 and they were tiny!!
Anyway, a week on and there are green shoots peeking through the soil. I am now so happy and can't wait till they flower. Love you Kirsty xx

The car arrives and routine starts to set in.

Well, followers things have quietened down here at the moment. After spending 2 weekends unpacking, left us very little extra time for anything else.
Our car arrived on the barge last Friday which was ahead of schedule. We drove down to Lady Barron, which is the next little town to pick it up. It was interesting to watch the barge back up onto the loading dock which took probably 10 mins to align it right. The car had travelled with cattle so when I got into it, it stunk of cattle and the poor wheels and car was splattered in cattle debris.
Anyway, we drove home which was an event in itself. Bruno was in the lead in his car. I was mindful of wallabies and other wildlife as it was after 5.30pm and we don't have a "wombat bar" on the car yet,  but nothing prepared me for what happened next. Following the road we headed over a rise and I  proceeded to take a bend, then suddenly the car was right over on the far left of the road in gravel. I tried to steer out, wheels locked and I started driving horizontally across the two lanes of the road heading for the white guide post on the other side. I tell you my life flashed up before me especially my kids faces. Anyway, had to get myself together, turned the steering wheel the other way, to righten myself on the road and to avoid the post. I succeeded to avoid the pole however, now I was horizontally facing the other side of the road and a ditch. My god, take your foot of the acelerater I told myself and the car stopped, facing the ditch. I sat there somewhat stumped. A car coming the other way slowed down to check if I was Ok. I reversed out, straightened the car, and by then Bruno had turned around and checked that I was OK. Good save he said to me. We or I at least,  proceeded somewhat gingerly home.

One of our new walking routes

 The Bluff Walk
adjacent to the beach.

Getting to the beach.

I have still been going for my daily walks with Rosie. Today I am venturing out, would you believe to go to water aerobics???? must be crazy. They say the pool is heated, so how cold can it really be???
The weather was sunny so that was a good sign. On arrival at the pool, I put my foot into the water and after deliberating for several moments with my feet poised over the water in the pool, I decided if I was going to get in I had to just go for it. Splash, my breath caught in my throat, ok keep swimming, keep swimming I WILL warm up in a minute. It really didn't take long for me to feel warm enough in the water to stop shivering and carrying on. The aqua aerobics class consisted of 4 of us, and we danced along and exercised to music some of which were familiar to me especially the Zumba songs. However, my movements on several of the songs was not the same as the instructors ( she is the zumba instructor too) as she had adapted some zumba songs for "zumba aerobics". So, with her calling out, arms out, arms up and twisting around I was doing one arm up, other arm up, arms crossed and jump whilst singing along to Livin La Veda Loca in my own little world with some memories of my past life in Qld. LOL.