Alligatorob's Diary
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alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, I ate well, had a day of rest with only a little exercise, and feel good tonight. I got out in my boat and did a bit of a swim, only about 20 min, barely enough to call exercise. The lake water is up to 21 C, still cool, but not bone chilling. My 12 year old granddaughter went along, she loves to swim. I spent a lot of the time teaching her the basics of boat driving. For safety I don't want to be the only one who knows how to operate the boat, unless I am the only one in it. She enjoyed it, seemed proud that she could start, stop, and steer on her own. So long as you stay in the middle of a lake a boat is a lot easier to drive than a car.
I think it probably was, not tired today and had a bit of an exercise break.
No, only the background stuff the gym plays, things like "born to be wild" over and over again. Pretty bad stuff. I probably ought to bring my own, but I don't like handling my phone whilst exercising.
Same here, although my gym plays pop music. It´s the only way I kind of keep up with what people are listening to right now so I guess there´s an advantage to everything. Steering a boat as a 12-year-old sounds exciting! You may get company out there more often from now on
overlandflyer
Well-known member
cars definitely have one advantage that boats and planes (when they're in the air) don't have .... brakes...!
as long as you stay in the air, a plane is pretty easy to drive, too.
alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, I ate well, exercised and feel good tonight. I walked 8 km, but it was kind of hard, not as easy as it should have been and I didn't want to keep going. Guess I need to keep up the walking.
I think it was for her, and she may want to do it more often, we will see.
Yes, and there is a practical side to it. Whenever I go out with others I always want to be sure someone else can drive. Should something happen to me its important. I want to feel like she can start the boat, pick me up if I feel out, or at least get to another boat for help. My lake is not so big, but its just always been one of my rules. And she seems to like it.
Yeah, you are right about the brakes! The real skill in boating is understanding hazards and how to avoid them and maneuvering in tight and windy spots. That can take years to master, I suppose flying is similar. I just need to be sure she can do the basics, and if she sticks with it one day she will be better than I am at it.
Yes, Liza, it really is nice to be able to get into the water comfortably. I can however see that I need to relearn swimming a bit, now that I lack the fat flotation I am so used to! I usually anchor in deep water and just jump in, I may try going into shallower water where I can touch bottom, been years since I worried about that. The granddaughter usually wears some kind of flotation when she goes in. I like that, makes me feel better about her being in.
Sounds like fun, I bet the ukuleles were a real hit!
alligatorob
Respected Member
I think she is, and at age 12 I think she is ready. Growing up in Florida, on the water, I started boating without adults at the age of about 6, probably too early. A friend had a very leaky rowboat, one person rowed while other bailed but we survived.
That is interesting isn't it! Most movement becomes easier when we lighten up but with swimming yes, we lose that natural flotation device if we lose fat!
oh well you can always strap on a real flotation device like your grandkid if you want to just lie back and enjoy the water without trying too hard to stay afloat
Petal001
New member
Like the flotation device idea ..lie back and relax sounds lovely .
we had many water adventures when we were kids and survived one favourite one being in a rubber dingy in the sea lol . Our safety element was one of us would stay in the water to guide it . Lol . Very dangerous really
we had many water adventures when we were kids and survived one favourite one being in a rubber dingy in the sea lol . Our safety element was one of us would stay in the water to guide it . Lol . Very dangerous really
Cate
Long term member
We risked our lives on a regular basis as kids, but I certainly would not be happy if our grandkids did what we once did. I rescued both my sisters once, being swept away. My older sister went to her rescue & then called out for help & I had to drag them both in. They were different days. We know better now. Do you wear a lifejacket in the boat, Rob? Most lives lost in the sea & lakes in Tassie are people who go out without lifejackets.
My primary school was tiny and poor and most of the books in its little library were from the 1950s. I read every single one and the things the kids in them got up to on "normal" days were crazy even compared to 1980s adventure books for kids
Rob you inspired me to start asking around who might want to go swimming with me now that temperatures are up. Looking forward to jumping into the old Danube again!
Rob you inspired me to start asking around who might want to go swimming with me now that temperatures are up. Looking forward to jumping into the old Danube again!
misty22
Well-known member
Hey Rob, it's wonderful that you are passing on something to your granddaughter. My grandfather passed away when I was 14 and because we lived in different countries, I could not see him often. It is a blessing to have that kind of time.
Six sounds so early to start boating! But back in the day, as Cate said, people took more risks. Your grandaughter sounds smart & eager to learn. Enjoy the wonderful weather and the water!
Six sounds so early to start boating! But back in the day, as Cate said, people took more risks. Your grandaughter sounds smart & eager to learn. Enjoy the wonderful weather and the water!
alligatorob
Respected Member
It was a good day, ate well, got some exercise, and I feel good tonight. My exercise was yardwork. The riding lawnmower has a new problem so I got my walk in behind the push mower...
I am sure I can get back into swimming, I just need to work at it a bit. Doing the crawl stroke for a while will help.That is interesting isn't it! Most movement becomes easier when we lighten up but with swimming yes, we lose that natural flotation device if we lose fat!
oh well you can always strap on a real flotation device like your grandkid if you want to just lie back and enjoy the water without trying too hard to stay afloat
Had to laugh at that story, reminded me of an experience with a very small rubber raft once. Only big enough to barely hold 2 kids, my friend and I paddled it out to a barrier island about 2 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, it took a long time. More than once boaters approached us assuming we needed rescuing, they were probably right. Sounds like your adventure was great fun Petal!
You are right about that Cate, folks ideas of safety have changed a lot. I think mostly for the better, but sometimes I think kids today miss out on some of our adventures. With video games though they don't seem to miss it. I have never worn a life jacket, but you are right it probably makes sense. Just hard to do after so many years of not. None of my adult boating friends do either. I however require kids in the boat to wear them, most of the time. Not something I was ever expected to do.
That sounds like fun, is the Danube a good place to swim? I have only seen it in winter, did not look very inviting.
Yeah, today it does, but it was what we all did back then. Probably wasn't a great idea.
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Cate
Long term member
I think it's about us learning as well & not expecting them to do things we're not prepared to. I'm sure they want their granddad to live to a ripe old age. I feel more conscious of setting the grandkids a good example, I think than I ever did when our kids were little.
I kind of love hearing about these adventures. I guess they are all good once everyone comes back safe. I was never allowed to do anything even remotely dangerous as a child - not even trick or treating! So I like hearing about other people's antics!
Good to hear you feel good tonight Rob!
Good to hear you feel good tonight Rob!