Troubled Waters

    We've been searching for a swim team (squad) here for the past several weeks.  After going to several pools, meeting coaches, and gathering information, we may have settled on a place for them to swim. The Badger Swim School operates at the North Sydney Olympic Pool, about a 15 minute drive from home.  Amazing setting huh?

     The kids have been to a few practices so far and are getting acclimated slowly.  It's a 50 meter saline pool and is much saltier than others we've been in, not sure why that is yet.  The combination of burning eyes and throats, new coaches, new terms (tumble turn=flip turn, torpedo=streamline, etc.), new expectations, being somewhat out of shape, being the new kids, etc. has been challenging.  They are missing their Y coaches and friends - a lot!  For now, we'll keep at it.  The good news is that (1) in another month or so, they move inside to a 25 meter chlorine pool and (2) Mia has met two girls at school that she likes who also swim here. 

     In previous years, 86 world records have been set at the pool.  These days the premier swim center in Sydney seems to be the Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, but this setting is pretty incredible.  Luna Park, an amusement park modeled after the one on Coney Island, is right next door.  I find the entrance a bit creepy.  Maybe that's why all those swimmers set records, trying to get away fast!

    While eating dinner the other night, we saw this news story:  http://au.news.yahoo.com/video/national/watch/24529897 . The Harbor has been cleaned up tremendously in recent years, resulting in increased marine life.  We knew we were sharing the water, but it's still a bit unsettling. (We won't mention the native fauna sitting on the bottom in 8 feet of water under the kids and Chris 50 feet offshore here in Balmoral the other day)

    Mia returned from her school camping trip on Wednesday afternoon.  She had a great time getting to see the Blue Mountains, go panning for gold, ride the world's steepest railway, go repelling and orienteering, and see a few 'roos in the wild.  Unbelievably, there are no more school outings planned at the moment.  Horrors.  Must be time for a three week break at the end of Term 1.  We're starting to make plans for our first trip out of the Sydney area.