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On Sunday afternoon, we walked down to the beach to watch the final of the 2007 Surfest.  This is an international surfing competition that was being held at Merewether for the first time.  There were crowds of people and press watching 2 surfers in the water.

Although there had been some really big waves during the week with some impressive looking surfing shown on the tv, there was not much to see yesterday.  The surfers seem to spend most of their time waiting for waves.  I guess the skill was in picking the right one.

Eventually one of them won and the other came second!

Yesterday I competed in the Sparke Helmore Triathlon.  This is an annual triathlon held around the harbour and beaches of Newcastle.  Unfortunately it was pretty miserable weather when I got up at 6 am for it and it didn’t get much better throughout the race.

I was in the main race of the event, with about 215 competitors.  The swim started from one of the beaches in the harbour and went out round a buoy and back to the beach.  Then a swim out to another buoy and back before the run to the bikes.  The swim was pretty horrid, I couldn’t see where I needed to head to, and there were so many people all together I couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm.

Anyway, I got through it and onto my bike.  This is normally my strangest part, but as it was raining I didn’t push it too fast.  A couple of people did and ended up sliding along the road on their sides.  After 4 laps of Newcastle Beach and Honeysucklewharf (20 kms) it was back to the transition area for the run.

The run was beside the river along the wharves. 2.5 kms there and 2.5 back.  It takes me a while to get into my stride but I went quite well on the way back.

All in all it wasn’t as enjoyable as others due to the rain, but I was pleased I finished.  Overall I came 119th.

This week we have exchanged contracts and paid a deposit on the plot of land we want to build on.  We cannot physically get onto nthe land at the moment as the earthworks are still happening, but we can start talking to builders.

The land is in Adamstown Heights and is just the other side of a hill from Merewether.  Our plot has a few complications as it isn’t flat and there is a mine tunnel under it, but nothing insurmountable.

We have 3 builders in mind, because they seem the most helpful and flexible in changing plans.  And we have quite a clear view on how we want the house, so we are at a point of getting some plans drawn up and quotes made.

Just had a really good weekend.

On Friday we got our first paid baby sitter and Sarah and I went out for a drink at the local pub.  The baby sitter had a very easy time as both kids were asleep but we really enjoyed being out.

On Saturday morning I took Jack and Grace to the swimming pool while Sarah did some shopping and waited for a friend of hers to arrive from Sydney.  Then we had a couple of families from Jack’s school over for a barbeque.  It was really nice getting to know some new people, especially as one of the families has also bought some land on the estate we’re buying on.

After a late night, I got up early on Sunday for a swim and run along the beach.  We then all went back to the beach for the morning.  After lunch we went to see the animals in Blackbutt reserve before Sarah (friend) set off back for Sydney.

Jack seems to be going to sleep earlier now, which is good for him as he is not so tired during the day.  And also for us as we get a bit of the evening to do things.

We’ve been having another look at our house plans today.  Sarah’s uncle Bruce (an architect) has been helping us with some layouts and ideas for the best use of the land.  We are now just waiting to exchange contracts on the land.

Sarah has also bought herself a new car.  A lovely looking Subaru Forester (photo uploaded).  It is much more comfortable than the 4WD and more practicle around town.  But it is still a capable All Wheel Drive and should be able to take us wherever we want to go.  We will be a 2 car family until we sell the old one, not too long I hope.