Monday 22nd July 2013…where do the weeks go??

Good job I was not scheduled for tennis this morning as it poured during the night and I am sure the courts will be closed just hope they dry in time for tomorrow morning’s game.

After breakfast I decided it was time for a good hike into the canons behind my casita.

The start is always fun because for the first 3km up hill is the order of the day.

Always a nice view of downtown.

Looking back the X is about 50 yards from my home.

Not sure and do not care to know what kind this is!!

I never usually see anyone else on the trails but this morning I did see these two other hikers!!!

I took a different trail today and passed by this old abandoned building

Man made arch..

Natural arch!!

In the 6 years I have been coming up here I have never seen water coming over the dam.

It was a good work out and I enjoy the trails and the solitude and peace.

Home for lunch and then the start of my taxi service..first I picked up Daniela  and Ernestine from their camp and took them back to Casa Hogar..had time for about 30 minutes of grocery shopping before I picked up Paola and her Brothers for their fencing class..they all said they were hungry so we stopped on the way to class to get some food for them.

After I dropped them of and went and picked up some of the frozen dinners that Margaret makes for me and put them in my freezer..then it was back to pick up the kids from their class and take them home.

I then decided it was time to exchange the car for the scooter for a couple of days hoping the weather stays fine.

As the garage for the car is close to Linda and Guy’s house I stopped in for a visit before getting home around 6.30pm…another day gone.

Yashi Koshi!!!

Sunday 21st July 2013….Sunny Sunday!!!

It was a bit gloomy this morning after the most amazing thunder and lightening show again last night that went on for over 60 minutes…but the skies cleared this morning and the sun came out…I had breakfast watching Phil Mickleson win his first British Open Golf Championship a worthy and proud and humble winner (basketball and baseball players take note!!!)

Phil Mickelson came from five strokes back to clinch his first Open title and fifth major on a dizzying final day at Muirfield.

The 43-year-old American triumphed by three shots from Sweden's Henrik Stenson, with English pair Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood four back, alongside Australia's Masters champion Adam Scott.

Mickelson surged to the third leg of a career Grand Slam of all four majors with a stunning five-under 66 to finish three under.

 

Mark James Former European Ryder Cup captain BBC Sport at Muirfield

"What an unbelievable round by Mickelson. He almost made it look simple. He played with such freedom. The second shot he hit to 17 was absolutely majestic and then he went on to birdie the last, which was the sign of a true champion. He was the best guy out there this week.

"The only disappointment was Lee Westwood's round today. He played a poor round and only he knows why. It's not his last chance, but this one will hurt. Fortunately he is extremely resilient and he will fight back."

The left-hander, who won the Scottish Open last week, birdied four of the last six holes and was in tears on the final green as he hugged caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay.

The mercurial Mickelson's Open record had been modest up to now, despite a third place at Troon in 2004 and second at Royal St George's in 2011, as he slowly got to grips with a style of the game he initially "hated".

But a play-off victory over the Castle Stuart links in Inverness last week, and now his first Claret Jug, should make amends for his devastation at recording a record sixth runner-up spot in the US Open behind Justin Rose last month.

"This is such an accomplishment because I never knew whether I'd be able to develop my game to play links golf," said Mickelson.

"I played arguably the best round of my career, and shot the round of my life. It's such a difficult six-hole finish, I putted so good. It feels amazing."

He added: "The range of emotions I feel are as far apart as possible after losing the US Open. But you have to be resilient in this game. These last couple of weeks, these last couple of months, I've played some of the best golf of my career."

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Mickelson delighted to "shoot the round of his life"

Mickelson, who won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and the US PGA in 2005, continues the list of illustrious former champions at Muirfield, which includes such greats of the game as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo (twice) and Ernie Els, who was defending champion this week.

American Mickelson becomes the third consecutive player in his 40s to win the Open, after Els and Darren Clarke.

Westwood, seeking a first major title at the 62nd attempt, led by two going into the final day and moved serenely into a three-shot lead after five holes. But he took two to get out of a pot bunker on the short seventh and from then on was always struggling for momentum in a 75.

"I didn't play that badly, my round came unstuck at seven, eight and nine," said Westwood.

 

"Phil must have played really well. To birdie four out of the last six here on any day is good going. But to do it today on a breezy day with the flags blowing and in the Open Championship is exceptional."

Stenson carded 70 for his best finish in a major, while Ryder Cup hero Poulter surged from eight strokes back with a brilliant 67 on an overcast, breezy day in contrast to the heat and sunshine of the rest of the week in East Lothian.

Scott, who blew a four-shot lead to finish runner-up to Els last year, hit the front at one stage on a topsy-turvy afternoon that saw the lead change hands numerous times, but the 32-year-old faltered late on with a 72.

Tiger Woods began two behind Westwood and in prime position to strike for a 15th major title and first since 2008. But he went backwards from the first and ended with a 74 for two over.

 

 

I then went to pick up the kids I had promised Paola, Leonardo and Andreas we would go to the swimming pools and they wanted to try a new location the pools at Zote and it was great.

We arrived at 1.30pm and they were in the water by 1.45pm and they did not come out till 5.00pm….. enjoy the day as they most certainly did!!!!

This is the big dipper and at first Paola did not want to go up but with a bit of persuasion she went and that was it could not keep her off

She even managed to get little Andreas on the ride he is fearless like his sister!!!

They brought their fencing noodles and enjoyed those.

After their showers Paola always takes care of her little Brother…

As always they behaved so well not a cross word, a cry or a complaint!!!!

Came home and did a 90 minute canyon hike a nice way to relax and get ready for a busy week ahead.

Yahsi Koshi!!

Saturday 20th July 2013…a really slow day!!

Before I start on today I have to tell you about the lightening skies over the mountains last night…around 9.30pm I noticed the lightening and I went up on to the roof and for about 30 minutes watched the most amazing light display I took lots of photos but none of them really turned out…one for the memory banks.

It did rain really hard yesterday afternoon so I was very happily surprised to know the courts were open and it was a great 2 hours of tennis this morning…nice to be back on the courts again.

I then went to have a visit with Linda and Guy they seem to be settling back into their home routine and I know they are happy to be back here and Guy’s breathing seems to be coming along they both look good and relaxed.

I came home and watched the end of the third day of the British Open golf and then took my book and went on the roof and read and I think snoozed and the sun was a welcome relief.

It has been a busy week driving the kids to their various activities but I have enjoyed it and the next week will be the same as the courses they have enrolled in continue…..I wish all my readers a great Sunday with sunshine, fun and good memories!!

Pura Vida!!

Friday 19th July 2013…a rainy day!!

When oh when will I be able to go on my roof and sunbathe again??

Spent the morning at home sorting through some papers and filing some items, some laundry and some house cleaning……at 1,30pm I went to pick up Daniela after her camp….. I promised them ice cream today but they both wanted to have a bag of fruit instead.

They have two more weeks of camp left and she tells me she now knows how to swim!!!

After dropping the girls off I went grocery shopping for about 45 minutes and then went and picked up Paola and the boys and dropped them of at their fencing class.  Paola was cute on the drive down she had brought in her bag some hair gel and hand cream that I had given her for her Birthday and she got into the back seat and gelled both her Brother’s hair and made a Mohawk wave they looked great….I dropped them off at the class and went for a walk around town and then picked them up just after 5pm.

 

They tell me that they really like the class and I can see from the 15 minutes that I watched they are listening and have some of the moves memorized…so good to see them having fun and learning.

Of course they were hungry so we stopped and they took some food home for the whole family…

 

You know my love of sports and soccer and reffing so I enjoyed this article hope you do too.

 

 

Howard Webb on Respect, rule changes and new technology

By Chris Bevan BBC Sport

As England's top referee, Howard Webb is used to making crucial calls - from awarding a controversial penalty to dealing out a debatable red card - and copping for the consequences from players, managers, fans and pundits alike.

But from the start of next season, the biggest decision of all will be taken out of his hands - when the Premier League becomes the world's first domestic league to use goal-line technology to decide if a goal has been scored.

Webb has "100% confidence" in the Hawk-Eye system which will be used - and says he and his fellow officials will welcome it.

 

 

How Hawk-Eye technology will work

Whether it will make his life any easier remains to be seen but the 42-year-old - who took charge of the 2010 Fifa World Cup final - is confident that life as a whistler could not get any better.

From his take on the part that further technology can play in the game to the tweaks in the offside rule and how well he thinks the Football Association's 'Respect' campaign is working, Webb spoke to BBC Sport about the different aspects of refereeing and how English officials have prepared for the changes taking place next season.

HOWARD WEBB ON NEW TECHNOLOGY...

Do you welcome the introduction of goal-line technology into the Premier League?

If you speak to any Premier League referees, we would all say we welcome it, because it means we've got a better chance of making an accurate call on the biggest decision of all, which is whether a goal has been scored or not.

Are you confident it will be reliable?

From what I know the system has been extensively tested and I have no reason to think it won't be reliable.

I've not used Hawk-Eye so cannot pass comment but I have got 100% confidence in the people who have done testing on it and the reputation of the company is really strong.

What are your experiences with technology?

I used the GoalControl system that Fifa have adopted in the summer in the Confederations Cup.

Webb tests the Goal Control system before Brazil play Mexico in the Confederations Cup

That worked and was a very similar system to how Hawk-Eye works.

From what I could see, GoalControl was totally reliable. There wasn't a situation where there was a really marginal call but, every time a goal was scored, the system worked.

Every time there was a penalty scored in the penalty shootout between Spain and Italy in the semi-final that I refereed, the signal went off.

Every time the ball flashed just wide into the side netting, the system didn't indicate a goal.

What is GoalControl like to use as a referee?

The best thing about it from a referee's point of view is that it is instant.

Immediately it vibrates, it comes up with the word goal and it continues for 10 seconds, so there is no mistaking that a goal has been scored.

Could technology help referees with other decisions, like penalties or other fouls?

With goal-line technology, you are talking about matter of fact, you are talking about yes or no - goal or no goal.

Howard Webb turns down a penalty appeal by Dimitar Berbatov during a game between Tottenham and Manchester United in 2007

And if a system can be brought in like Hawk-Eye that tells us whether it is a foul or not, then why would we not want it? But we are talking about a very different scenario.

All I know is that I love the game the way it is played, I love the high tempo of the game. I don't like making mistakes at all, I try to be as accurate as I can be.

We have worked hard to try to learn and develop and improve as referees in this country, but I fear that the use of technology for anything other than just the goal-line would change the basic way the game is played and we need to be careful.

HOWARD WEBB ON RESPECT...

Is the Respect programme working?

The Respect programme

Launched in 2008 in response to concerns at deteriorating behaviour at all levels of football.

Five years on, dissent cautions (in 2012-13) are down by 13% in all affiliated football, all cautions are down by 10%, all dismissals down by 10% and all dismissals are down by 9%.

Number of assaults on referees is down from 618 (2010-11) to 528 (11-12) and 491 (2012-13).

Since 2008, the FA has recruited and retained 5,000 referees and has a total of more than 27,000

Yes. Things are much better than they were. Isolated Premier League games get a lot of headlines but the vast amount of games pass by without incident and don't make news, because they are not newsworthy.

We are quite a few years down the road now with the FA's 'Respect' initiative and the Premier League's 'get on with the game' campaign.

The aim was to change the culture - attitude and behaviour - towards match officials in football.

We have got the messages across and they have become part of the psyche of the game, at every level.

Is the situation really better than before?

The figures for the Respect programme have never been better.

Abuse of match officials is abusing the game and is not acceptable but, whilst there might be a small number of people that think that is still acceptable to do it, most people in football - your average player, coach or fan - have taken on board the message, know it is not acceptable and play the game the right way.

What next for the Respect campaign?

'Most people I speak to say they love their refereeing' Howard Webb

We need to continue to make sure that any examples of referees not being treated in the right way or subject to abuse in any way then that needs to be clamped down on absolutely severely.

From my point of view, football is a positive experience and when I speak to most referees they have the same experience.

At grass-roots level, referee recruitment and retention rates are up and most people I speak to say they love their refereeing, enjoy getting out of bed on a Sunday morning to do a game, whether it be in pub football, kid's football or women's football.

If they didn't, they wouldn't continue doing so.

HOWARD WEBB ON RULE CHANGES...

Is everyone ready for the tweak to the offside rule?

We are well prepared for any rule changes made during the summer and we make sure we liaise with the clubs as well.

What is the new 'interfering' ruling?

An amendment to what assistant referees must take into consideration when deciding whether an attacking player is 'interfering with an opponent' or 'gaining an advantage'.

Webb says: "The change just revolves around how players who challenge for the ball are now penalised in terms of interfering with an opponent.

"So if you are just stood somewhere nearby but not challenging for the ball [when it is played through] and not challenging the opponent, then the assistant referee will not intervene and won't penalise you.

"It is when the player challenges for the ball, that's when they are going to be penalised."

We have orientation visits and we talk through any changes. We referees are not going into the new season fully aware of what the change might be while players don't know so suddenly it's a big surprise to them.

We make sure they are aware too - both lines of communication are open and are strong as well.

We have two visits into clubs every season - one pre-season, one mid-season, so the relationship is strong.

People in the world seem to think there is a bit of a big divide between match officials and players and clubs but it is not like that at all, we have a strong relationship and speak on a regular basis and we are there to assist each other

 

Yashi Koshi!!!

Thursday 18th July 2013…….all sorts!!

I am beginning to get mad at the rain…rained during the night so tennis was cancelled again this morning..so I had to watch the British open golf on TV with breakfast instead…talking of golf this was in the local paper in Nanaimo about my buddy Zack…what a great photo that his Dad took!!!

 

 

Zach Anderson is reaping the benefits of a having a golf coach. The Nanaimo golfer is coming off of back-to-back top 10 provincial championship finishes the last two weeks, and now has his sites set on duplicating that feat at the national level. Anderson, 17, finished fourth at the B.C. Golf Junior Championships at the Revelstoke Golf Club on July 5 at 5-under, and on Friday he finished in seventh at the B.C. Golf Amateur Championship at Invermere and Radium. Both are major steps forward from where he was last season. For that he credits the work of his coach Robert Ratcliffe, who runs the Ratcliffe Elite Golf Academy out of the Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community and the Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club. "He's been really helping me lately," said Anderson. "We worked a lot in the winter and we worked a lot in the spring and he's really help me." Anderson had a big year last year, winning the CN Future Links Pacific tournament in Parksville, but his game has taken the next step this year. Despite struggling at this year's CN Future Links Pacific even in Courtenay, finishing tied for 29th, he won the CN Future Links Prairie tourney in Swift Current, Sask., and blew away his previous best finishes at the B.C. Juniors and B.C. Amateur. He built a lot of momentum at the Junior championship, firing a 5-under-67 in the fourth round to finish tied with Trevor Yu out of Vancouver for fourth overall at 5-under-283. Still, they were six shots back of Jared Dutoit of Kimberley, who won in a playoff over Jordan Lu of Vancouver and Kevin Vigna of Coquitlam. "I started off good with a birdie and I just putted real well the last day and didn't make very many mistakes," said Anderson. "I took advantage of the Par 5s and the easy holes and played safe on the tough holes and par." At the B.C. Amateur, a third round 4-under-66 jumped him up the leader board to fourth overall and put him in the second last group at 7-under-par. But he struggled early on the tough Copper Point Club in Invermere and fell out of contention, shooting the first four holes at 5-over-par. He recovered to shoot 2-under par over the final 14 holes, and finished the tournament at 3-under-280 and toed with Brent Wilson out of Victoria. But Anderson gained some valuable experience from it. "I learned to never give up," he said, having previously had a best finish of 43rd in two other tries at the championship. "I was really getting down on myself, but I just said 'There's still lots of golf left' and I really took advantage of the rest of the course and played well." That third round was something for him to build off of, even if it was at the easier Springs @ Radium course. He credits good friend Mark Valliere, out of Courtenay, who caddied for him after missing the cut. "He really helped me that day to just stay calm and helped me with a couple of shots," said Anderson. If the Dover Bay Secondary School student can keep performing at this level, it will make a college scholarship a real possibility after he graduates next year, saying he is already talking to a Div. I NCAA school. He can really gain some attention in a couple of weeks when he travels to Garson, Ont., for the Canadian Junior Boys Championship from July 30-Aug. 2, a tournament he has entered twice before. He will then make his debut at the Canadian Men's Amateur Championship at the Royal Colwood Golf Club and the Gorge Vale Golf Club in Victoria Aug. 6-9. "I'm hoping to come top 10 at the Canadian Junior and top 30 at the Canadian Amateur," said Anderson. "If I play good, then I should be able to meet those goals." - See more at:

 

I think this is great!!!

I decided that because of the incident yesterday with the two young ladies to change the lock on the main gate entry and also on their casita door….a locksmith was recommended to me by three different people and I called him and he came over this morning.

I just love this country and these people I was expecting somebody in a van with a portable machine and lots of supplies but who was at the door but a man in his thirties on a push bike with a small backpack on his back!!   I wasn’t sure to let him in I did not know who he was but he laughed and he started work .He was here almost 90 minutes and replaced a big lock on the front gate and also on the girl’s casita and made 15 keys all with tools from his little back pack.  He made sure that I tried every key he was so good and he charged 500 pesos about 43 dollars…….

I then went to pick up Daniela and Ernestine and took them back to CH happy to report that Daniela was feeling much better and I promised them ice cream on the way home tomorrow.

I then went to meet Juan and Chris at Café Monet.

Here they are yesterday in the canyons.

We had a great visit and I really like their attitude, they know about life and how to live and they are also two of the most caring guys you could wish to meet.

Came home around 5pm and decided I need a work out so put on my hiking boots and hit the canyon trails for 2 hours I love it up there so tranquil and beautiful and lots of time to think and plan……

So a busy but good day.

yashi Koshi!!

Wednesday 17th July 2013…a busy day!!!

Well the start of a busy day and first on the list was picking up Paola and I did at 10am we went to the store and bought the supplies they needed for the fencing class this afternoon…..we bought three water bottles and three of those foam swimming noodles…we then went back to her house and made sure that she and Leonardo and Andreas knew what clothes they had to wear…I did want to take them to the first class but I decided that it was time for Paola to take some responsibility so I took her to the building where the class was and gave her money and told her what time she had to be at class and for her and the boys to take a taxi.

I then came home for lunch and off to poker…Chris and Juan were having lunch in the restaurant and I asked them if they played poker and they both said no so I invited them to play….of course they said no!!!  We have arranged to meet tomorrow afternoon.

I was a big winner again with 80 pesos coming my way….I then went down town to the class where the kids were and watched for an hour…they had such a great time it was a joy to see…the classes are three times a week for 2 hours…

The outfits that Leonardo above and Andreas below are wearing are wonderful gifts from Linda and Guy (they also bought Paola a lovely top and her older brother some really cool shades….thanks and all the children said in English…”thank you”)

Before we went home we stopped at the Pollo Feliz and I bought them 2 whole cooked chickens to take home and they all wanted to keep their noodles to practice tomorrow!!!

Back home there was some bad news the 2 young sisters that are in the down stairs casita for a month were mugged on their walk home on the footpath track behind the house…fortunately they were not hurt but their bag was stolen with their personal stuff in including their keys…I have spare keys for their casita but the front main door key was also in the bag so naturally they are upset about their safety here..so I checked with the other tenants and none of us are going out tonight so there is a huge iron bar that can be used to secure from the inside the main door and I have called the locksmith to come tomorrow…such a shame this happened to them I and many people use this path often.

So it was a busy day but such a blessing to see the kids mixing with other children, being together and smiling!!!

Pura Vida!!

Tuesday 16th July 2013…..tennis again!!

Tennis was a go again this morning and it was a great 2 hours..we all have fun, some banter and some good shots, some lucky shots and some shots I am not even going to talk about.

Back home on the local message board list I found and activity I thought would be great for Paola and her two younger Brothers….the local Biblioteca is offering three afternoons a week for 2 hours classes in Fencing…what a treat for the kids. I spoke to the organizer and she wanted to put Paola in one class and her brothers in different classes and different days because she is 12 years old and her brothers 9 and 7..but I explained the situation to the lady and asked if they could be in the same class and she said that would be fine…..so I just have to make sure they all have good sneakers and the first class is tomorrow…I think they will all really like this.

I went to pick up Daniela from the drop off point from the camp and she was not at all well complaining of a bad headache…I went and got her water and explained to Ernestine the older girl who was with her that the Madres need to know and if she is not well tomorrow to stay home.

I then went to Linda and Guy;s house for a visit and to use their printer they are slowly getting settled and having a few small repair and fix up jobs done at the house.,,,so great for them to be back home.

 

This is new back pack!!!

MOUNTAIN MAGIC 50

 

With large front-back volume ratios, a body-centered load is easy to achieve with these new cutting edge designs.
Pack them correctly and your balance and posture are unaltered by the load!
Combined with the lightness and you have the most efficient load carrying system for longer trips with ultra light gear.
The pack and Balance Pockets are 100% waterproof.
The Balance Pockets are removable and interchangeable.

* 1 size * U, V, Omni & Flexi Flow  * X Flow chest straps with new Conus Clip buckle  * Auto-mould Frame  * Clip Torso-adjust; 15cm range  * 3 Waterproof Dri Liners * 5 external pockets * Web-loc compression  * Foam, ice axe and trekking pole attachments 

  * Torso-pack Convertable

I like it because of the front pockets which distributes the weight and also I can put my water bottles and camera in there…….I am having a slight problem in choosing which route to walk on the Camino next May..I have a choice of one called the Frances and the other called the Norte…the Frances is more popular with more walkers but the Norte follows for many miles the coast …. I am leaning towards the coastal route it is less populated and does have miles of pavement I want to choose soon so I can start to make some preliminary plans…..if you want to know more of the Camino I recommend you rent the movie called The Way with Martin Sheen.

Hope you have a great evening….

Yashi Koshi!!!