Jazz on the wharf

I enjoyed some very good jazz on the wharf today.  I sat for about an hour or so while a quartet of young jazz musicians comprising: a guy on snare drum with a tambourine fitted to his foot, a trombone player and two other musicians who interchanged instruments played a mix of jazz numbers.  They were good, very good.  I didn't get their card which they were offering out because I have no imminent plans to get married, or hold a cocktail party!

It was interesting watching mothers with young children park up their pushchairs, or encourage their young toddlers to put money "in the suitcase.  I think they had 100% hit rate with every mother passing stopping.  Then this family came along with what looked liked 3 toddlers under 5.  These little kids just started dancing their little hearts out like they were in paradise.  Set against the backdrop of a really nice winters day with sailboats and Sommes Island in the background it was magic. 

The connection with cycling?  Well, a couple of guys parked up their bikes and sat next to me for a few numbers.

What did I like about the music: everything: the location: the random set of people passing who kept smiling when they heard the music; the random interchanges between people listening to the music, the music itself; the PASSION.

Also, on the waterfront is a new cafe "Karaka".  It overlooks the lagoon.  It is excellent on all fronts.  In fact its ka tino pai.  Staff are great, helpful, attentive and friendly without being intrusive, coffee is excellent, food is great, location superb.  I'd read a good review, and its as good as the review.  I'll be going there again.  The really awesome thing it is Maori based, and it has so nailed "the Maori cafe" without the gimmick stuff.  11/10.  I hung out there for awhile drinking the great coffee.

Had a good workout today.  Not great, but good. I'm not sure doing an hour and a half of various stuff makes for an optimal RPM session although I'm sure the weight work is ultimately going to help shift some weight.  So the fact that I not only had sore legs from yesterday from the uber excitement of practicing the "running man" on the treadmill, my shoulders were a bit stiff this morning from doing some arm/shoulder work before class.  (I can now benchpress 40 kg - so have managed to up that from 30kg)  Although I think the main issue was that I hadn't been on a RPM bike or real bike for over a week.  I should address that with the resolve to do daily rides in the morning.

I actually think I'm cardio fitter than when I was last time going to they gym on a regular basis (over 6 years ago) - but the benchpress is marker, I still need to invest in strength/core work.  But hey, I currently have time to do that.

Todayt I recieved Tour de France cycling gloves today - an authentic little bit of France to keep me going until I get there myself - next year;-)