Again, a long time between posts. Mike is definitely leaving Talbot next Wednesday so lots of packing up at Talbot and moving things home and trying to find room for them here!

Mike is loving scuba and this week managed to work out a way to use a normal scuba mask, rather than the special one they had thought he would need. It is really good to see him problem solving ways to try to use “normal” equipment slight modified rather than specialist equipment. He says it is so he can be more flexible and just use whatever is around (eg, just going to any cafe or hiring any scuba gear) rather than having to take special stuff but I think it is because I keep losing the special things or forgetting to take them so really he is just adapting to his wife’s incompetence!  Anyway, as part of using normal equipment, Mike had to prove that he could hold his breath long enough to get the spare breathing mask in to his mouth. Scarily, despite his reduced lung capacity and the fact that his diaphragm doesn’t work he could hold his breath longer than I could! How embarrassing! I was going to suggest this was because I no longer get to do any exercise but we decided that really it just meant that Mike was still full of hot air! Thanks to Sam and Mick for running the scuba courses at Talbot – it is absolutely fantastic and Mike loves it. Also to Campbell for organising it and making it happen. We’re thinking that next summer he will try to work towards riding his bike to Rickett’s point and then will go for a snorkel or scuba with Ash and who-ever else wants to head down.

It won’t be this summer because we are confirmed as off to Project Walk for 6 weeks from the beginning of Feb. Yipppeee! We finally managed to convince the passport office that we are Ashley’s parents and that we really do want her to have a passport. It took 4 attempts but success is all the sweeter for the numerous trips to the post office!

I am still trying to get some of the video footage of Mike on his bike but if you want to see him in action …… block out some time this Sunday afternoon. A crew of amazing people are doing a charity ride this weekend (let’s hope it cools down a bit for them) to raise money to get Mike more sessions at Project Walk to maximise the benefit of his time there. Weather permitting, Mike will be joining them for the last section of their ride from Port Melbourne to Elwood. I’m sure they will be more than happy for others to join them for the last bit of the ride. Once they are done, we will enjoy a well deserved BBQ in the park behind Elwood Beach. It is called Elwood Park if you look in the Melways and is near the end of Vautier Street just next to the tennis courts and Elwood Beach House. There are a couple of BBQ’s and tables and a park for the kids. Would be lovely to see whoever is around as a bit of a leaving Talbot celebration.

Finally, on the riding front – the kits have arrived and they look awesome and they are super comfy to wear. I am dropping some off at Spoke(n) in St Kilda today and hopefully by the end of the week they will be available at CBD and Pro Motion as well. Alternatively, I can send them directly to you (e-mail me at monica@michaelforbes.org). Jersey’s are $80, bib and brace knicks are $90 (shorts are $80) or you can get a set for $150. The gear looks and feels great so this is a good deal and it helps raise funds for the trip to the states. I am in the process of getting some photos uploaded but when I tried it didn’t work!

Enough from me, better get back to de-cluttering the blessed blue house. Hopefully see some of you on Sunday. I will do another post on Friday sometime to confirm approximate times for Sunday.