I have gotten a bit slack on the blog, and this post isn't even going to mention running. It's about how we spent Anzac Day last Saturday.
Ever since I can remember I have always gone to an Anzac Day ceremony, way back in a past life I played with a brass band, back when I played with FYCB we would attend three Anzac ceremonies on the one day. Even now I still go, and I probably will forever more.
So last Saturday was an early start. We had gone to a function on the Friday night and by the time we got home and got to bed it was 12.30am !! With our alarm set for 4.00am. Ouch! Bleary eyed we got up, had a coffee, Mike got himself ready and then we drove near on the hour to get over to Penshurst as Mike was playing pipes. We have gone to Penshurst for many years now, with Mike piping for them, it's a lovely community event. This year instead of the 10am service they were going for a dawn service commencing 6am.
The night was still and cool, but not overly cold (certainly scarf and jacket weather with hands firmly in my pockets). The service was lovely, very moving, a local woman sang and she had the most incredible voice it cut through and then hung on the air. Mike played his lament as the wreaths were being laid, the lone piper.
I reckon the entire little town turned out. And afterwards they put on a sausage sizzle and hot coffee breakfast, it was nice to have a chat, as usually we are racing off.
So home we went, Mike flaked it on the couch for an hour or so, and then we headed off for the 10am Mortlake service, as spectators. It involved a parade, a wreath laying and then a service. I assisted with a collection for Legacy whilst "Onward Christian Soldiers" was played, I was amazed people were throwing notes in the tray.
Look at that wee little girl on the left there, marching along holding onto her daddy's kilt. Every now and then her hat (buzzby is that what you call them) went slippy sliding on her head and someone would come out from the gathered crowd and upright it again!
There was a memorabilia display at the RSL, some amazing old newspapers and artifacts. I really enjoyed it. Our CWA decorated the hall with poppies and red, blue and white streamers. The hall looked great. The crosses were a reminder of the people from the Mortlake area who died in WWI.
And our CWA ladies and other helpers did not disappoint, there were two huge tables groaning with good country fare. And whilst I didn't run on Anzac Day, I did do laps of the morning tea table I'm afraid to admit! I did then go for a run on Sunday morning, in the rain. Impressed?
Ever since I can remember I have always gone to an Anzac Day ceremony, way back in a past life I played with a brass band, back when I played with FYCB we would attend three Anzac ceremonies on the one day. Even now I still go, and I probably will forever more.
So last Saturday was an early start. We had gone to a function on the Friday night and by the time we got home and got to bed it was 12.30am !! With our alarm set for 4.00am. Ouch! Bleary eyed we got up, had a coffee, Mike got himself ready and then we drove near on the hour to get over to Penshurst as Mike was playing pipes. We have gone to Penshurst for many years now, with Mike piping for them, it's a lovely community event. This year instead of the 10am service they were going for a dawn service commencing 6am.
The night was still and cool, but not overly cold (certainly scarf and jacket weather with hands firmly in my pockets). The service was lovely, very moving, a local woman sang and she had the most incredible voice it cut through and then hung on the air. Mike played his lament as the wreaths were being laid, the lone piper.
I reckon the entire little town turned out. And afterwards they put on a sausage sizzle and hot coffee breakfast, it was nice to have a chat, as usually we are racing off.
So home we went, Mike flaked it on the couch for an hour or so, and then we headed off for the 10am Mortlake service, as spectators. It involved a parade, a wreath laying and then a service. I assisted with a collection for Legacy whilst "Onward Christian Soldiers" was played, I was amazed people were throwing notes in the tray.
Look at that wee little girl on the left there, marching along holding onto her daddy's kilt. Every now and then her hat (buzzby is that what you call them) went slippy sliding on her head and someone would come out from the gathered crowd and upright it again!
There was a memorabilia display at the RSL, some amazing old newspapers and artifacts. I really enjoyed it. Our CWA decorated the hall with poppies and red, blue and white streamers. The hall looked great. The crosses were a reminder of the people from the Mortlake area who died in WWI.
And our CWA ladies and other helpers did not disappoint, there were two huge tables groaning with good country fare. And whilst I didn't run on Anzac Day, I did do laps of the morning tea table I'm afraid to admit! I did then go for a run on Sunday morning, in the rain. Impressed?
