Friday 30 December 2016

13 scoonas

Well that was a big night. Met Al, Wil ('Strokes'), Timmy, Charlie, Tommy, Jeet, Andy H and a fair few others for a big sesssion at the Wharf Bar. I was dreading having to drink so much but it was a lot of fun and miraculously woke up to no pain in the Achilles (only problem was that everything else was hurting particularly so having ran on the sand for 10ish ks beforehand).

Wicked night the highlight being Wil telling all his life story. I love that guy! Big thanks too for Timmy and Jeet making their way over from the real dark side and for Al and Wil who so easily mix with all of my running pals.

Slight altercation with my stomach at 3am.



Boxing Day at Jase and Sarah's

Nice day at South Steyne in the morning in the water and then the arvo at Jase and Sarah's new place.
After 3 days of rest I tried out the Achilles and it was sore. Could only muster 9kms before more partying at East Esplanade. Not looking good.




Christmas Day


Woke early and walked along the beach to South Steyne where we met a number of Manly village families. This was always manadatory for us whilst living here.

Then back home before J took the kids to Seaforth before we all then headed to the East Esplanade beach joint with all the party goers on the grass whilst the boys swam. All things considered a pretty good day with the weather playing ball.

















Christmas Eve

Well after the best slap in the face known to human kind J and I just got on with things today but with no run to give me peace of mind (my usual fall back). I am going to call it the runners curse as whenever we are not able to hammer ourselves we get incredibly grumpy and the self esteem invariably goes down a notch or 2. Pretty pathetic but true. My mission for 2017 is to rid myself of this 'curse'. I am really getting way too old to have to rely on a daily run to make me happy!

Hung with the younger 2 all day and rewarded them with the water slides at Manly surf and slide.

The plan was to walk in the evening which was one of my favourite things to do post dinner involving the surf beach, corso the harbour path way and then looping back to Francis.












Day before Christmas Eve

Only writing now and was a blur but involved the beach several times, beers and a run.

The run was a painful slog up to North Head and made me realise I needed to rest for a few days.




Wednesday 21 December 2016

Northern beaches crew

Up early to meet the Northern beaches crew at 615. Nice bunch they are: Tommy, Q, Lewis, Banksy, Darren  and Justin. We ran over to North Head along the beach to Shelly and then Q led us through the ew path which TS put us out somewhere along the North Head road loop.

Felt alright this morning with the Achilles just about alright but then after dropping Tommy it started to tighten and then get sore. Anyway 18ks done in pleasant company.

Coffees with Jacquers followed. Store taking boys plus Pete to the S Steyne. Jack was again at the soccer camp but complained immediately when he got home and said it was a load of shite.

Evening spent with the outlaws. Susana my mother in law is always very doting in a Chinese way. She lectured me for about 2 hours in a very nice sort of way. All good.







Tuesday 20 December 2016

Manly solo

J up at the crack of dawn for her class which meant I needed to wait until 8 to run. Felt good today and headed up to North Head before running up and down Manly beach with a small add on into the lagoon. A cracking day and ended up with 28ish ks before stopping for a swim with the family who were at our usual hang out South Steyne.

Jack is straight back into the swing of things joining all of his mates at the Ajax training camp in Cromer. I had a call at 11 I needed to do and then had a lunch planned in the city.

Evening spent at Qs and Grace's place for pizza.

Standard Manly day with the ferry ride into town a bonus not to mention E Sushi above the Establishment. Thankfully Ben was paying.








Pied Piper

Up very early with all of the jet lag. J went straight to her boxing class and I just roamed with the boys like we always used to in Manly. It basically goes coffee, walk, ice cream, walk, coffee, beach.

Quick bite to eat and then the troops arrived. We had a cast of thousands outside of our house with Jack being the focal point. With nearly all coming with we trooped to Shelly beach for a mass game of cricket and swim. Pics below.

Yesterday J had the jet lag but my turn today. I tried to run at lunch but my stomach was not having it.  

Nice day but the constant questions as to why we left keep on coming from all the parents that cannot see further than the end of their nose. The lock stock q is why the hell would you want to leave the best place on earth? Don't get me started. Seriously.

Will try again in the morning.