And they're racing this time

So began the commentary on horse races on the wireless when I was a boy. This many years later, I don't really know when and why I would hear this. My father was not interested in races, or in gambling. Neither was my mother. I had and still have no interest in either. I am guessing that along with Dad I was listening to the commentary on a rugby game, and the horse racing commentaries were interspersed in the rugby commentary.

At that time in New Zealand there were only three stations we could listen to (and no television). The National prigramme (for serious matters), the concert programme (classical music), and the ZB network for everything else. 1ZB from Auckland for us. I was a teenager by the time Hamilton got its own station (1ZH), and I was at University when the first (pirate) private radio station hit the air.

These two kayakers would most likely regard me as a dinosaurian mediaeval relic. They appeared to be College students training on Lake Pupuke as the sun began to rise above the clouds and trees this morning. Shortly before this photo, this pair were meandering along back to the club house. Immediately after they were were trying hard for speed.

A much more gentle day today, which ended earlier than other days as I had to get home to collect the boys and take them to karate. Photos were not possible today, as they were both in the middle of the group, and I didn't want to breach the privacy of the others. Mr H is showing beautiful posture, crisp movement and accurate recall of the moves in the kata for grading next week. Young L is much more enthusiastic, and therefore looser in movements, and at times inaccurate. The difference between 12 and 8 years old no doubt. Uncle tsuken has kindly sent them a training video of himself doing the kata they will be tested on. A heart for that man.