Following the VIP drive day in March, Lindy and I have been busy preparing for the Dragon Boat Australian Championships in April as well as the Mudgee Cycle Classic in May.
In between, I celebrated International Guide Dogs Day (29th April) by cheering on the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT staff in the Dragon Boat for the Southern Region team building Day.
Canberra Blind Society Speakers program
Lindy and I are now busy sending out emails to community groups to offer them the opportunity to hear from Vision Impaired speakers about their lived experience. Email speakers@canberrablindsociety.org.au for more information.
Dragon Boat Australian Championships
While Lindy was in Queensland I used this opportunity to have a holiday with my puppy raising family – Mark and Debbie. Aunty Polly was going to compete in the Wollongong triathlon, so she was able to drive me to my puppy home nearby. I not only spent the weekend with Mark and Debbie but also caught up with human relatives. I proudly showed them that I have grown up since my puppy days. They were impressed with my badge and harness that proved I am a responsible dog. I couldn’t help showing off my energetic self also.
After that Aunty Polly took me to her workplace Legacy, where I loved greeting the staff and volunteers. I also supervised her at pilates and physio. I was ready to resume work with Lindy after all that.
Below is the summary of the Dragon Boat race week from my Sunshine Coast doggie friends.
All Griffins (or Griffs) crews from junior, premier to seniors had an awesome time in sunny Queensland. Five of our juniors were in crews that won two silvers and one bronze. Four of our Griffs were in the ACT team that won Bronze. The Griffins club crews made many semi-finals. In one of the club races, the team finished so strong that the commentator got so excited and said, ‘Griffins can be danger …’.
Griff’s Invictus Australia Veterans had excellent racing with the Para Dragon teams. Lindy raced in the Para Dragon and enjoyed the close racing. It will become truly inclusive when these classifications are on the Australian Championships program as a medal event rather than just a demonstration event.
I would like to thank all the Griffs’ members who took over my job so that I was able to have a holiday. In particular, thanks Chris for making sure Lindy had enough to eat and didn’t get lost in the apartment. Thanks Leanette, the Super Sub buddy for making sure they send the premier team away safely. Thanks Michelle and Narelle for taking care of Lindy while travelling up to the events.
Link to Youtube video on the Dragon Boat Champs 26
Mudgee Cycle Classic
Fitability Tandem cycle group received a grant from the support organisation Hireup to participate in the Mudgee Cycle Classic. Lindy, along with two other Fitability tandems, decided to do the 120km challenge, while a couple of Fitability tandems and a few tandems from the Exsight group from Wollongong did the 65km option.
The weather was perfect on the day – a bit overcast but not too hot nor too cold. Lindy’s pilot David handled the tandem very well and they managed to get onto a few packs during the event. They had lots of fun mixing it up with other single bikes through the flat, downhill and a few rolling hills. It was a bit challenging when they got to steeper and longer hills. As it is not a race, they just let the other riders go and did tempo up those steep bits, then looked for another pack to join. What a great way to meet other riders!
After the event, the Fitability group found the Guide Dogs charity tent, and Lindy was able to have a bit of Guide Dog time with the Ambassador dog.
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Success is not necessarily measured by being the first, simply measured by our effort.
I put one paw in front of the other and successfully guide Lindy to our destination.
Woof Woof
Flash Hou
(until I get my own email address, you can contact me via Lindy’s email)
lindy@lindyhou.com
Tel: 0402 113 836 / +61 402 113 836
