Saturday 12 October 2019

Love is in the air and so is a koala at Belair National Park

Yesterday was a busy one for us. After Nen and I tackled our first (of many) Murray Bridge Park Runs along the bank of the gorgeous River Murray we hurried home to get ready to go out again. The Laws had been invited to the beautiful Belair National Park with a secret password - ENGAGED... Friends Emma and Mike are getting married and we were lucky enough to join other friends and family to help these two celebrate their love for each other.

The trip from The Bridge to Belair was confusing (thanks GOOGLE) but once we got to the Joseph Fisher Picnic Ground we settled in nicely and pitched the LAW/CROOK feasting area. Fine food, finer company and the sense that love was indeed in the air made for a lovely afternoon. The weather was great with plenty of tracks for the dads and kids to explore.

We saw birds galore, fox holes and even a koala climbing higher and higher (maybe it was searching for peace and quiet).

We discovered old friends and new and I can't wait for the two Tims to catch up and pop the top on a rich red while the wives continue bonding over bubbles and the kids run amok. Such a fun afternoon.

Many thanks Emma and Mike... Oh and congratulations by the way!

Park Run number one (hopefully of many)...

I've been hearing about this global phenomenon that started in London (Bushy Park, Teddington) about 15 years ago. A 5km course that is 'run' every Saturday morning across the globe. This free communal fitness fetish which encourages members to walk, run or jog the distance has become part of my brother-in-law's routine for a few weeks now, something that his whole family is doing. As every good brother-in-law does I thought I would go along to one and support.

Of course I had my wonderful side-kick join me too. Miss Nen kept pace with her Aunty and little Squidge while my mate Hicksy and I ran, jogged and walked with Maddy and Tills.

Fine weather, fine company and a chance to chat with so many. I handed out the high fives and found encouragement came thick and fast as runners sped past.

Our first Park Run was great fun and I for one cannot wait to go again! I now can totally understand what all the fuss is about.

Thanks Mel and the volunteers for doing a great job running the show and thanks to all my friends who have encouraged us to give it a go.

I think Miss Nen is so keen she wants to go next week with out me. Super dooper proud!

A visit from Eddie - A chance to show off flexibility, teamwork and the pull power of a star

When Eddie Betts says he wants to visit you find a way to make it happen. Regardless of where he is going next year and what he will be doing in 2020 there is no denying that Eddie Betts is the poster boy for kindness. Eddie's Lil Homies is a great book series for young children (0 to 6 years) which features the great goal sneak embracing his indigenous culture with pride (My People) and encouraging us to all be a little bit nicer by showing our kinder sides (My Kind). Eddie and his amazing team have recently been visiting Libraries and other locations throughout South Australia with one place luck enough to host being us.

This has been the biggest event ever planned for the library where I work with almost 300 members of the community (mostly children) expected. With that many people using a library in such a way needs planning, paperwork and a dedicated team to pull off such an event. Luckily I have risk assessment experts that I can call on, a great team and some great advisers. With such great support what could possibly go wrong...

Nothing!!!

Wednesday, October 9th we hosted Eddie and everything went to plan. With between 260 and 270 people attending we found we still had room to spare. Eddie was relaxed, a truly charismatic performer who was honest about past struggles and someone who knew his message and delivered it well.

In my mind we have proven we can successfully host big events with popular performers and authors. I am looking forward to our next big event with Judy Nunn at the end of the month and then what ever opportunities next.