The wattles are bursting into bloom, with their blast of yellow publicizing spring has arrived. The birds are busy making their nests and plants are starting to stir into new life. There is something truly remarkable about this time of year, a relief after such a cold winter, a sense of renewal. Nature has its own calendar, a rhythm that is comforting and reassuring, and it says Spring has arrived.
Winter has gone, and so have the Olympics and all those magnificent athletes who have trained so hard for the last four years for the honour of competing for the country. The women's marathon with four competitors sprinting the last 100 metres to try and win a gold medal was truly inspiring.
And in the Ironman Competition held earlier this year in Far North Queensland, magnificent men and women athletes swam 3.8 km, then a 180km bike ride and if that wasn't enough, they ran a marathon to get to the finish line. That also was truly inspiring. But perhaps the most inspiring , was the Japanese contestant, Hiromu Inada competing at age 91 years.
But for me the most inspiring athletes are the swallows returning here to celebrate spring. They have flown thousands of kilometres, without a map, flight instruments or in-flight service. These athletes weigh in at just a few grams, to land safely back home. What a privilege to witness their Supreme Olympian Challenge.
And yet perhaps all these efforts pale in comparison to the Shearwater, the Mutton Bird. They are extreme athletes, competing in some crazy ultimate challenge. These birds weighing 500 grams are returning home from the Aleutian Islands near Alaska, and Kamchatka in the Russian Far East. They come home via the tourist route, travelling down the coast of california
Winter has gone, and so have the Olympics and all those magnificent athletes who have trained so hard for the last four years for the honour of competing for the country. The women's marathon with four competitors sprinting the last 100 metres to try and win a gold medal was truly inspiring.
And in the Ironman Competition held earlier this year in Far North Queensland, magnificent men and women athletes swam 3.8 km, then a 180km bike ride and if that wasn't enough, they ran a marathon to get to the finish line. That also was truly inspiring. But perhaps the most inspiring , was the Japanese contestant, Hiromu Inada competing at age 91 years.
But for me the most inspiring athletes are the swallows returning here to celebrate spring. They have flown thousands of kilometres, without a map, flight instruments or in-flight service. These athletes weigh in at just a few grams, to land safely back home. What a privilege to witness their Supreme Olympian Challenge.
And yet perhaps all these efforts pale in comparison to the Shearwater, the Mutton Bird. They are extreme athletes, competing in some crazy ultimate challenge. These birds weighing 500 grams are returning home from the Aleutian Islands near Alaska, and Kamchatka in the Russian Far East. They come home via the tourist route, travelling down the coast of california
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