Telescopic Message

 We have scopes here for checking out distant events, boats, planes or passing creatures. I have been in a fog since getting back but found a mysterious note from Asher & Kaia near a paper telescope. Now I have tried to decipher the clues to find hidden kisses and when I look thru the telescope I see the great blue yonder. After having tweeked my back again somewhere in the last week this note has improved my day as it says in the excellent writing style. As for when did I exacerbate, take your pick, loading suitcases, sitting in planes, lifting grandies, wrestling with pull out beds but I do know it wasn't shot put.

Video Review

 There were only phone videos to look back at from the last week or so and I swear I took more than I can find but no doubt the buttons were pointing somewhere else. When dolphins are parading then you want to get a quick shot but I can find nothing. I also got a good look at the outriggers as they were going passed. The New Zealand crew in this race were queued up with us at the early sign in. I have also got one of Debbie's videos from the shot competiton. 

Gold Coast Wrap

 We got some good weather this time around, with a coolish windy day yesterday. The grandies are having a final poolish session this morning. It is a 45 minute drive to the airport which I seemed to think was closer. We assume Ubers will be lining up to take us there as the grandies need to go in the opposite direction.  This accommodation works well with slight issues, like no toilets at the pool. I had to get Charlie out of the pool, up in the lift to the 4th floor and into the room before an accident occured and just made it.  

Pan Pacs Packed

At last we made it to the Gold Coast track. I was not impressed with the 8:00am start time. Who throws their weight around at Eight in the morning. The organisation of this event is very good, managing all these sports.  Why do they make the older guys throw into the raging wind and leave the younger guys to go with it? YadaYada. I managed to get all four throws measured and I can tell you there were many false efforts. Even without any issues I would not have matched the best guy in our group who won with 10.9m.  I did have the best cheer squad according to the officials there. So maybe there is another competition that I can work on to get up to speed. 

Klaus Lutter

Germany

10.90m

35-09.25

F1 • #7011 • Age: 70

2 Lajos Joni

Australia

8.79m

28-10.25

F1 • #7010 • Age: 71

3 Neville Sprott

Australia

8.25m

27-00.75

F1 • #7019 • Age: 70

4 Neil Roberts

Australia

7.79m

25-06.75

F1 • #7017 • Age: 71

This is the best I could do with the results but they are readable. I would always say the worst place to come is 4th but it is what it is. The other thing to know about this competition, with a combined 70+, is that when a name is called you don't know how old they are or if you are competing against them. Very interesting!

Boat City

 We started out at the pool for two hours where the water is bathtub and the spa pool is hottub, too hot even.  We moved across to the beach for a long four hour session at low tide. There was plenty of beach room but space on the water was scarce and asthe afternoon went on the tide went out more and the water was teeming. It was the kayakers that suffered. The wind picked up, the channel narrowed and they were bombarded. There was a yellow ducky parade not sure why but accompanied be 20 party boats. Then the dolphins came thru.  Everyone was following that lot, around 12 dolphins in the pod. Debbie walked to the local shop for lunch and Evie and Charlie were non stop beaching. 

Gold Coast 40th

 I am not sure who arranged two birthdays during this epic Pan Pacs effort but those grandies will start anything at 6:00am.  The balcony here is huge and we have seen the whole parade of kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, jet skis, powered surf boards and the look at me favourite the powered winged keel. Laura has her new old watch from 1949 (newly refurbished and yes you have to wind it up.) It is time for the beach at 8:30am but it is only across the road. 

Royal Pacific

 We have had a long day moving location to this water front hotel at Biggera Waters. It was 1.5 hours of driving which was a shorter time than queuing to sign in for the games itself at the convention centre. There are 15,000 registered competitors and we were all there to get our rather average backpack. In the meantime the grandies were getting the fish and chips which went down well, whilst sitting on the beach across the road. We have a fourth floor view here with large wraparound balconies, two bathrooms, two bedrooms and a kitchen and living area. It must be time for a sleep.