Flying and Running

Apparently spring has arrived. But, given we had a dumping of snow from a bad storm sweeping across this week and the temperature continues to hover around 0 C and not get over 10 C each day, it’s NOT spring. The weather has been very disruptive to our flying lessons and not helping with the running motivation. The day after the snow storm, we arrived at 8am for our flying lesson, unsure what the routine was. Normally they plough the runway but sadly it wasn’t done so we couldn’t get off the ground. I was disappointed as I’d love to have flown above the snow and taken some photos. I’m currently at 10 hours of flying and improving slowly. I’m improving on my turns and takeoffs but getting everything together for landing is taking time, a LOT of time. This is quite challenging. At the moment, I seem to struggle on the final descent and keeping the plane straight and not dipping too low. I gave the trees a shave today I think. I’m enjoying the lessons more and more now and hoping warmer weather will bring more flying opportunities. I asked my instructor to take a few photos today for me. The one under the wing is of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay bridge in the background. Deb and I ran across this in 2016 (10k race) so the bridge holds some special memories to me. Check out my blog post here Chesa Bay Bridge

 

This weekend I also finished the 1775 Marine Corp race (17.75k) which celebrates the Marine Corp foundation year. It’s open to only 3100 entries and I entered quickly last month in the 7 mins it took for rego to sell out online – this was an exercise in typing quickly! I wanted to do this race because you get automatic entry to the Marine Corp Marathon in October which I hope to run. The marathon is very popular and you enter in a lottery so you may or may not get an entry. So this 1775 race is a great way to get ‘Access Granted’ as they say. It was bloody cold, around zero celcius I think and I had to get up at 4am to get ready. It was an hour drive away to Quantico (Marine and FBI district) and the race started at 7am. Deb came too thankfully so she could hold bags and coats while I ran. It was great as I kepy my big coat on until minutes before the start line crush began and I was warm when I started running. But with two layers on, my beanie and gloves I stayed warm and was dripping sweat fairly soon.

My goal was to finish and get that MCM entry but I did think a lot about the Marines and other service people in uniform. The race was through a national park, had some sucky hills in there and lots of signs along the way with Marine motivational words. I kept a steady pace to ensure I survived the hills and was very glad to cross the finish line. Marines greeted finishers and put the medal around your neck. It was quite special to me. He congratulated me and I said 'thank you for everything you do'. I was quite a bag of emotions with finishing and getting my medal that I suddenly found myself close to tears as I said thank you and shook his hand. Oorah to the Marines !! I soon found Deb on the sideline and she took some finishers grin photos of me. She’s enjoying her new camera and taking some artistic shots whenever she can. Next up...I do the 10mile (16k) Cherry Blossom run around DC city in two weeks and then it’s the 200 mile Odyssey team relay in April again from Gettysburg to DC.

I had a crack at cinnamon buns last week. Made the dough in the breadmaker and after some rising and smothering in butter, sugar, sultanas and cinnamon, they baked into wonderful little sweet scrolls. They are better hot straight out of the oven - a very easy treat to make. 

Batman made a special appearance at work too. It was Security Week and there was a bit of competitive spirit amongst the other work places to hold a morning tea and get as many people in a photo as they could. Deb inspired a competitive spirit and I think took the lead with 54 people but also with the masked superhero standing stealthily in the back row. Nobody knew until the photo was displayed and there were those black pointed ears standing out. It was excellent and I'm sure it will make the DC photo unbeatable.

As mentioned earlier, this week a big snow storm swept up and across the county to the North and blanketed quite deep snow. The dogs are ok with the snow but not keen on the toilet business - unless in the forest because it's different there for some reason? However, they enjoy walking and playing it. I am now quite good at shovelling snow and wait until it stops and just before night time, I shovel the steps and driveway to avoid the re-freeze which ices over and makes things quite slippery. Oh yeah, and chuck on some pet-friendly salt to help it melt quicker. Yeah, I'm all over it !!

 

The 'kids' March for our Lives was on in DC and around the country this weekend. I would really like to have gone and marched to support them. Sensible gun reform is desperately needed here and with so many kids getting shot in school shootings, the younger generation have finally had enough and are standing up to the politicians forcing something to change. It was inspiring to watch those kids speak at the march and like all young ones, they call bullshit when they see it and have put the politicians on notice. Lots are turning 18 this year and they are determined to vote and hold the politicians accountable. It is mid-term elections at the end of the year and I think there will be quite a few rethinking their donations from the NRA (National Rifle Association) and what their stand is on guns. I'm sensing the tide might just be turning in this country for some gun law changes. I can only hope so.

Not much else to report. Easter is approaching and we have quiet plans. Hopefully the weather will start to improve and get warm. Here's some random photos of the past few weeks.

 

 

The PM Visits

I’m writing this update as we watch the Oscars – feeling very American tonight. It’s been a horrendous weekend of strong winds and cold weather. Lots of trees have come down around the streets and workers have been out all day cutting, chopping and carting them away.

So the past few weeks have been busy, as always I guess. The embassy hosted a huge event where the Prime Minister and four state premiers came here to meet all the USA governors (equivalent to our premiers). We are not phased by the political players at the moment but Deb was able to get a nice picture with the PM at Blair House. Blair House is opposite the white house, and is where heads of state stay when invited by the President. PM Turnbull and wife Lucy stayed there and Deb worked a few days there managing the office.  

On the last day there was a photo opportunity. I worked the big cocktail function one night as a food watier which was another good opportunity to see canapés from an Aussie leading chef and also mingle with some of the political leaders. I did take the time to say hello to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and QLD Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk. Both were friendly and shared a few words. 

I also worked a few other receptions at the Amb residence in the kitchen as I normally do. Again, it was great experience and I always learn new things, new skills and hang out with some fun people.

 

So you are all wondering how Captain Batman is progressing. Very well I am pleased to say. I’ve flown about 6 hours now and the last two lessons have been most enjoyable as I feel like I’ve got a better idea of the basics now and actually enjoying ‘flying’. I’ve had some windy days which have been interesting as it adds a level of challenge to my coordination effort. I am able to turn better, fly level and doing more of the takeoff. It shouldn’t be long before I’m doing that by myself. Landing is a whole new trick and will take more time. I have now got my own headset and have fuelled the plane twice which is bit of a buzz – crawling up to put the nozzle in on top of the wing. The weather has been hit and miss  which is annoying to say the least. Anyway, 6 hours has gone and my next lessons will be learning how to handle stalls !!! Shitting myself but, gotta know what to do when things go a little pear shaped up there. Standby for that blog post.

We finally took a drive to the nearby Shenandoah National Park, a little over an hour away. We didn't think though as we should have checked the website first. It was the day after the strong winds and there were trees down everywhere. There is a long scenic drive through the mountains called Skyline Drive. It was closed. So we drove a longer way around to make the day worthwhile. We ended up at Harpers Ferry which is right in the bottom corner of West Virginia. This is the 'psychological' mid point of the famous Appalachian Trail. It's a tiny little civil war town and we grabbed some late lunch (very average burger I might add) before heading home. It was bloody cold but would be a pretty place in summer. I'm in no hurry to go back though. We'll check out Skyline drive another day and plan to rent a cabin up in Shenandoah in the summer.

I've also had a sharp haircut and feeling the cold weather a bit more around my ears!! I feel sorry for bald people now. But I like the short style and it will be better in a few days when the sides get a little length. I have a cool hair stylist and he can do magic with his hands. Thanks Enders at The Burrow.    The Burrow DC