Desperate Housewife?

With Iain now officially working in Taranaki and me on my tod in Auckland, I've been trying to fill my lonely evenings with various activities. This has involved me taking part in the Takapuna Beach Series on Tuesday evenings where I run (drag myself) up and down the beach in a 5km race. The series also involves other events: stand up paddle boarding, ocean swimming, ski-paddle, but after really only learning to swim properly due to the persistent and patient Dave Beck, I'm sticking to land based events for now. 

Believe it or not, but I'm actually in this photo. I'm second from the right (yes, second last - I was giving them a head start) and this is from my first race. It's quite hard to compare each week's results as the route is slightly different depending on the tide, but so far I've managed; high tide, 35.07 and 32.14; low tide, 29.04. I never thought I'd be out doing 5km races so despite the times, I'm pretty pleased to be giving it a go. 

In addition to my running escapes, I have also indulged in some Christmas Crafts with a load of women from school. (Yes, the quicker I get to New Plymouth, the better). I'm not exactly a dab-hand. Kiwis just seem to be able to "make" and "do" things, whereas for a long time now I've tended to "buy" and "watch". Anyway, after about three hours tonight, and actually having to bring my dove home to finish as I had given it two left wings and had to start again, I have my first ever (and no doubt last) hand-made Christmas decoration. Et voilà! 

Oh God. 

LM.