Karate

Firstly Joe participated in a karate competition at the end of September which looked at three major areas – individual forms which are the sets of movements they learn, group or team demonstrations and finally sparring. One of my long time work colleagues won a trophy and will represent her region and to prove how small Darwin is, seated behind her were two other colleagues from my workplace at Berrimah farm. Alongside Natalie, the other recipient is the son of a current work colleague. Joe received a bronze and silver medal for his efforts and a great experience.

 

From 2011-09-24 Click hyperlink to view album

 

 

 

From 2011-09-24

 

From 2011-09-24

This next section is from Joe with a little editing from Mark

During the school holidays Joe went down to stay with Grandad and Grandma where he learnt how to drive the Landrover. The Landrover was used in the film Balibo. Joe learnt how to use all three pedals. Joe repaid Grandad for teaching him to drive by moving broken logs out of the path way (with car) and cleaned up the block across the road.

Joe was back to school on the 9th of October having fun and learning. Joe has already sat a maths test and did well. Joe wants to go out for Halloween on the 31st. This will be a night to remember since Joe has never before gone out on Halloween by himself. We might make it a skype based halloween. Much safer and less sweets. Joe plays basketball for TV Jets and attends Chinese lessons once a week.

Basketball

In the under 12 game we went against Eagles. They had improved since last time. Both teams played an excellent game. Nonstop action and great skills, it was just magnificent. We won that match although the Eagles made a good comeback in the second half. In our under 14 game we went against the Palmerston Pythons who beat us by quite a bit and they deserve a round of applause. It was a big game and all of the crowd were cheering for both sides. Great effort to both 12&14s.

Our under 12 team is top of the Div 2 ladder at the moment and our under 14 team is sitting at about number 4. There are more videos of the matches, just visit http://youtube.com/doublechook 

Shaolin Warriors

Just recently Joe had the pleasure of attending the Shaolin Warriors show at the Darwin entertainment centre. The Shaolin Warriors demonstrated an amazing display of hand and weapon combat, along with some performances that could only be described as a display of mind over matter. It was a great show and I highly recommend it.

 

 

Crabclaw visit

My Dad and I went out at 6:00am for a nice flight to Crabclaw to have breakfast but first we had to get there. This involves preparing our equipment, so we got the helmets, petrol and half a dozen other things for the plane. It also involves driving to MKT Airfield where the plane is hangared. This is about 40km south of Darwin. We drove off stopping by a petrol station to fill up the petrol tank. After it was pretty well full my Dad paid and got me an ice coffee. About 20 min later we were at the hanger. Quickly drinking my ice coffee I helped Dad with the check of the aeroplane and pushed it out with him. I threw away my ice coffee in the bin and jumped in the back seat. My Dad signalled that we were going to take off but we didn’t for another minute or so, because of an aircraft flying around the airfield. My Dad eventually started rolling down the runway and we were air bourne.

 After a slight lift and some bumps from the clouds caused by thermals I shadowed Dad’s flying for a good length of time. It took about 30 minutes flying across to CrabClaw Island. Before we came into land I remarked that it wasn’t actually an island, but a resort located at the end of a small peninsula or rather an isthmus. In our rush to make it to the restaurant before breakfast finished, Dad forgot he had left the keys in the plane. Normally he has to remind me about things so it was nice to help out. After Dad thanked me, we walked quickly down to the Crabclaw restaurant and hopefully the breakfast awaiting us.

 When we got there I let out a sigh of success (or was that relief). Third time lucky. My Dad and I had missed the first 2 times but this obviously shows 3rd time really is LUCKY! I had a breakfast combo with a sausage, one hash brown, two eggs, four pieces of toast and several pieces of bacon. After that delicious breakfast Dad and I walked onto the beach where we took some photos and found a piece of cuttlefish for lucky, Grandad and Grandma’s budgerigar.

 After that we got into the plane and flew back in windy conditions. Again I shadowed Dad on the controls, but it was much bumpier this time as there were more clouds around creating thermals. After we landed and put the plane away we went to Grandma and Grandads - but that’s another story altogether.   

 

Military Open Day

I had driven down with my parents to the military base camp (Robertson Army Barracks) near Palmerston which is just south of Darwin. My mission, to watch awesome battlefield demonstrations and go into tanks. Driving down in a carrier it truly is the way to get around the base camp. Extreme bomb detecting, tanks crushing cars and seeing Tiger attack helicopters flying was a magnificent sight.

I even got to learn how to apply a bandage to someone who had their leg blown off by a mine although I hope in real life I will never have to practice that.

Better yet I got to go up into all the tanks and see how they work. I met my friend Jason from basketball. We chatted for a bit before parting ways. The next bit was marching so we didn’t stay for that. Finally we went home to a beautiful dinner to end off the adventure.

Robertson Barracks Open Day - 2011-09-30

 

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