It's Holidays again!

Hi Readers,

After a period of being really slack, I have committed myself to adding another post, my second for the week!

I can't guarantee it will be worthwhile, or contain anything that could be considered even mildly interesting at best, but I'm having a crack!!

This morning is the first day of two weeks of holidays from school, and the day could not have started any better.

My wife, Jenny, as she went to bed last night left me with the words "I might just stay in bed until mid afternoon tomorrow", so I knew she had plans for a great big sleep in.

I fell asleep in the lounge watching the football, and woke up as Sydney were singing the club song in the rooms after beating Melbourne. So, off I went to bed, but had a really restless night, and ended up back on the couch at 3.00 am so that I wouldn't disturb Jen who was sound asleep.

I then woke very early, so decided to have a little workout to stretch and maintain the rehab I need to do on the bits of my body that continue to ail me.

To my surprise, I then see Jen up and about just after 7.30, apparently she couldn't sleep either, so her plans for a big sleep in never worked out either!

So here we both are, first day of holidays, and up at the same time we normally do for a work day. DOH!!!

But all was not lost!!

We both had a leisurely breakfast of bacon and eggs, read the papers and had a few lazy cups of coffee by the fire. A very relaxing start to the day.

All the while we had the most beautiful music laying through the house, which needs a bit of explaining.

This week at school, we hosted the Australian Girl's Choir (AGC) for some workshops with the kids as well as a whole school performance. They were just brilliant, and to think that they come together from all over Australia to travel together for two weeks was just amazing.

I arranged a number of families to host a group of them, so each morning they would come to our school before heading off with their adult leaders for the day.

On Thursday, Grant Shannon, one of our teachers who has a therapy dog that he uses in class was passing through the office area with Sonny.

I asked if he could introduce Sonny to the girls, which he was proud to do, and the way that the girls embraced Sonny was very special to witness.

They asked lots of questions, and Grant, as always was more than happy to oblige.

I've been trying to upload a short video about the program Grant has introduced, but have been having some technical snags, but will get it sorted over the next few days.

Sonny and Grant certainly do have a special bond.

 Grant and Sonny with some members of the AGC.

 

And I often get to spend quality time with Sonny if Grant needs to leave him somewhere for a short period.

This was yesterday just for about 20 minutes. As I was working in our office Sonny came in to be looked after by me. As I was tapping away on my laptop Sonny just wandered around and just made himself comfortable. Lo and behold he then came and stood beside me and just watched what I was doing on my laptop, then plopped his head on my lap and just rested there.

It was just so relaxing as it made me stop stressing about what I was doing, so I just rubbed his back for a while and listened to the music that I had playing. Now I know how the kids feel in class when Sonny helps them to relax.

Maybe Grant sensed I needed a visit from Sonny!!!

So, back to the start of my post, this is why we had the AGC music playing in our house this morning while we had the most relaxing morning ever. They gave me a copy of their CD for the work we did with them this week as a thank you, something which I really appreciated, and will continue to play when I need relaxing.

 This morning was particularly cold, down to -3 degrees and a severe frost.

I find this weather nearly unbearable, and actually found the -16 we experienced in Salzburg back in January more enjoyable. Probably because I dress more appropriately for the weather when travelling than I do when it gets cold at home and I still get around in a t-shirt and light jumper rather than something more suited to these cold days!!

 You can se where the sun is coming up and melting the frost along sections of our yard.

So Readers, what does the rest of the day hold for me?

As it is cold, but still sunny, I am definitely going out for a spin on my trusty motorbike- just have to get my fix!! I'll be rugged up, but all ready to experience the beauty of being out on it.

My football team, Richmond, are playing tonight so that means I have to get everything done before then so that I can watch the game. That means after my ride I change from all that protective gear into my running shorts and t-shirt and get my exercise fix before it gets too cold again.

Hopefully I'll be back in time to lay some food on the BBQ and cook up a feast for us, as that is nearly one of my favourite places to be at home! The only worry is that I may leave it too late, and will be out at the BBQ in the freezing cold! I need to be well organised!!

Well Readers, the Suzuki Boulevard is calling me, so that's it for today.

Stay tuned for more regular posts these holidays.

As always, until my next post...

Cheers!!