Training Log Archive: PrueD

South Australian long distance championships at Mack Creek. It was a beautiful area of spur gully. However green meant green and was generally an expanse of impenetrable prickly yakka bushes. It was a lovely day for it.

My course didn't start too well (again) and I really should try to start more slowly. However my biggest problem was a poor route choice between 3 and 4 which took me 30 minutes. Jenny Bourne took 14. Much of this was battling the yakka and I eventually reverted to the roads, which I should have used more - even though the distance was much longer. (But as Warren said later - you don't go bush orienteering to run on the roads). Overall I didn't go too well but enjoyed the event. I haven't had any trouble at all converting from left-handed to right-handed - apart from being a little uncoordinated putting my stick in the control with my left hand.

This evening my club BKV held a big BBQ at the place where we are staying. Very social and lots of fun. BKV are now getting me to write the club blog - so I have to be much more polite than usual.

C • blog 3

Event: 2010 Australian Championships Orienteering Carnival
 

Australian Middle Distance championships at Lady Alice Goldfield (Para Wirra). I took a gamble (~$1 in the pokies - and surprise surprise- I lost) - I gambled on it not raining and didn't wear a hat. Well it started raining as they said GO and stopped raining as I finished. I had thoroughly wet and foggy glasses the whole way! Added to that it took me a while to get used to the map and the intricate goldfields were first up. Nos 1 and 2 I messed up, then 7 and then 11. Not feeling particularly happy at that stage as vision down to a few %. So a bit disappointed (at myself).

On the positve side - the overall area where we are staying (Tanunda) is really beautiful and full of historic buildings. We are staying in some lovely cottages that remind me of B+Bs I have stayed in in England. They also have free wireless - but I can't get my computer to work - something wrong. This challenge to get it going is going to provide Bruce P with a week's worth of entertainment and I am now using his computer instead.

The bush over here is out in flower and the (very prickly) golden wattle is in full bloom. The yakkas are very prickly and to be avoided - but they look nice. I am really enjoying the different vegetation. Oh, and I forgot to add - the Coorong yesterday was full of water - SA had anough rain to start the process and then the Victorian floods have since come down. The area was again in full bloom (native euphorbias especially) - with hillsides of bright green - and they looked great.

Drove up to the Barossa via the Coorong. Absolutely gorgeous!

A walk around Bordertown after a most pleasant drive over. I stayed in a very noisy caravan park near the highway -but slept regardless. I have now detoured down to Lucindale - Kingston area to look at a farm where I spent many happy childhood holidays. I was a bit disappointed to see that it was almost derelict. But the sandhill area near Avenue was just gorgeous.

A quick trip down to Melbourne to make sure everything was in order for Mum while I am in SA. Went to street-O in Rosanna Parklands. It was quite hilly and my torch batteries ran out part way - but street lights did the job. Bought a new compass from Kevin - I am changing from left-handed to right-handed, so it will be interesting to see if my brain can reverse 20 years of habit. I have had a history of starting sports left-handed (kayaking, rifle shooting etc) and then converting to right-handed which is my dominant side.

Another glorious north east day today - but being a domestic goddess is just plain hard work - and I might have to go back to work for a rest.

Took advantage of being in Benalla to have another swim. Being school holidays, my recent run of luck (having the pool virtually to myself) has finally run out. But at least I got a lane to myself.

In the interests of equity I am tempted to log 'mega-domestic' today - mega-washing, mega-window cleaning, mega-gardening and tomorrow - more mega-housework! It's the once-a-year (might have been two years this time) spring clean at Benalla. And what a glorious day for it. Also went for a walk around the lake.