Well summer is in full swing and the temperatures have held out at a very muggy 35 degrees C this past two weeks. I am enjoying the summer for what it is and take every chance I get to get outdoors before the season ends. I played in the local golf club of dublin club championship and won my division with a touch of luck and an 11 shot swing in scores for the better between day 1 and 2. I got lucky and managed to hit a drive onto a green from the tee on the par 4 12th which nearly dropped for a hole in one and would have been a great albatross, but it was not to be this time around and I had to settle for the eagle.
Wednesday evening's have been great fun and I have played in a mixed double league for the first time in many years. My partner and I have won all but one match this season and our team finished in second place overall, which was a fantastic result. Even got to play some of my matches on clay which has been a while but always a treat.
Saturday's is our mens double league and we have had a great run this season with only 1 set lost and so far we are continuing to extend the lead we have after the first half of the summer season. In the heat the game has been a lot more challenging and the standard of tennis is high so you are always guaranteed a great match. The season is now finishing up and our team is in first place which means over the next few weeks we will have the quarter finals and then semi finals and if we really play well maybe even a finals match. Cant wait.
Lesleigh's folks came over to visit and spent 5 great weeks here in the USA, given the chance I think they would move to the USA in a heartbeat.
I got to experience NASCAR in style and was lucky enough not only to watch the race but to do so from the pit lane, go into the drivers trailer and meet the driver and pit crew ahead of the race. They drive the car at 6 inches out from the wall on the track at speeds I never thought possible and what a noise in the stadium. The atmosphere was great and a must do experience at least once in a lifetime.
The activity gets even better I was lucky enough to go over the pond to London UK to visit my mates Carl and Mark. The weather was great and I am told I saw all four days of the UK summer so no complaints on my side. On the flight home I got a business class ticket upgrade, thanks to Lesleigh and enjoyed a comfortable flight home in the luxury that the other half live in.
The car our brand Ortho sponsored at the NASCAR Brickyard 400 in 2011. Photo taken in the garages ahead of the race.
Les in picture walking through the car inspection areas ahead of the race.
Shock absorbers neatly stacked in a cupboard in the drivers trailer, worth a few pennies!
In the inside of the trailer is a compact area where the team stores a backup car for every driver. Amazing to see.
Racing tyre in the pits getting prepped for the race lane.
Cars check in to their poll positions
Les and I at the finish line to the World Famous Brick Yard 400 Finish post on the main track.
A front shot of our sponsored car going into the inspection lane.
Bottom up view of the race tower on the main track.
And the race begins with loads of roaring engines and the crowd on their feet.
Nothing quite like a braai in the UK, a fantastic treat and great to catch up with good mates.
We took a trip out to the Lyttelton castle for the day with Mark Greta and the kids.
Daniel and Dad take to the obstacle course.
Gargoyles protected the castle and looked somewhat fierce, back then I suppose it may have done the trick.
Back at Home sweet home and a picture of the back side of the house.
Another view from across the lawn, takes me about 1.5 hrs to mow this yard each week, and I am not slow at the job either.
Photo's of the drive and garage
Photo of the front yard at our new home.
Looking at temperatures in SA it looks cold for week or two so to all our family and friends wrap up warm, enjoy the hot chocolate and remember it only lasts for two months.
