Storm Warning

With the expected southerly storm arriving early this morning I felt sorry for all the athletes who had trained so hard for both the iron man and the Karapoti races. The weather is shocking high winds and driving rain.

I was down for a hour and half road ride and just couldn't face doing it on the rollers( sorry Lisa).

The pressure to complete a session and two dogs who don't understand "it's raining out there", I readied Pugsley for a outing.

Both dogs have been running with Sal the past two months as she builds for the Rotorua marathon and can easely trot for 20 ks. In other words they are very very fit and eager for a run any time.

I cut through the golf course which was empty no surprises there, the Pug is the only bike allowed to traverse the golf course as the tyres don't mark the greens, it pays to get friendly with the green keeper when your back gate opens onto the golf course. No riding on the road for 18 kms today!!.

The wind and rain were so strong I couldn't make it up the only climb on the route in fact I was blown into the bank twice in the first half an hour of riding. I had to pedal the descents but once we rounded the most southern point I could free wheel for ages.

All the sea birds where sheltering in every bay we rounded and where very reluctant to fly as the dogs got closer. Rounding one corner I saw 20 black swans huddled on the beach facing away from us. Lissy my pointer couldn't believe her luck and sprinted toward the group. To her and my surprise they didn't move as she bore down on the group about five large male swans launched their attack. They charged toward the dog wings spread honking loudly. Lissy isn't the bravest dog out there and the five swan attack was too much for her. It was the funniest sight watching her change from fast forward to reverse and turning at the same time, her hind legs got tangled up and she slipped and fell sideways just as the swans got to her, she got bitten on the behind for her troubles and ran howling out of the bay.

The ride was uneventful just a slog in the rain cool though surprisingly we were the only ones out.

I cant believe it we have the fire going on the 3rd of March.