Zeeman Ocean Challenge

Well I have been juggling two casual jobs now for the last month but that is nothing compared with what I have been reading about in the Zeeman Ocean Challenge.

This guy called Ralph is rowing across from Peru to Brisbane, Australia by himself. He only started six days ago and so far so good. I am amazed that he can still contact his family back in Holland but here 1/2 hour out of town and that is it - nothing - no coverage until you hit the next town 3 or 4 hours down the road - if you are lucky. Anyway he has all this technology like an MP3 player etc to keep him up to date with the world. I guess there must be a back up boat somewhere but maybe not - not sure.

Anyway if you want to keep track of his daily adventures he has his own website.

http://www.zeemanoceanchallenge.com

Personally I don't have the strength or stamina to do what this guy is doing. Apparently - all going well - he will reach Brisbane in about 7 months or so.

Hello All

Not sure where to begin. Today is Sunday. Well, writing off the top of my head didn't work. I just deleted a whole heap of garbage. Maybe I should pick a topic and write about that? Let's see ... I know the perfect ice breaker - an oldie but a goodie.

The weather here is fine. We are still in the mid 30's with the occasional rain cloud stuffing us up with really high humidity but the plants/trees/grass love it - I think - no real way to be sure - anyway they are still alive - that is a good thing. I don't mind the high temperatures, it is the humidity that really knocks you about.

My family and I moved here just over a year ago so we have now experienced all its seasons. Still getting used to different things around town (eg different shops, new people, different attitudes). Still not in a proper routine yet. Still not fully unpacked either. Last year was not a good year for settling in - too much stress, too much sickness and too many stupid assumptions that things would be the same.

This year will be different - the second year is always better for me when we move. The first year the town wins. The second year we break even. The third year I win. Any subsequent years I am in full swing. It is like running a race with 90 degree bends - you have to slow right down, get your feet secured up to be able to make the turn without falling over and twisting your ankle then once you have gone around the corner you need to regain your speed but first need to double check which direction you need to head - if it is uphill or downhill or windy - these things couldn't be seen before making the turn so it takes you by surprise even if you have trained for them - that is the problem with life - you don't know what is up ahead - all you can be is be prepared with the skills you may need along the way. Otherwise you have to stop for a while and learn that skill before you can restart your race.

Just deleted a whole heap more garbage!

Anyway, am sort of starting to find my feet again after turning yet another corner. Next time I will hopefully have something better/proper to say.

Cheers for now.
T
p.s. I didn't take this photo - a local guy did in January - and he isn't even a professional photographer but it is really striking :-)