Happy Birthday!

I have been asked by a few people about my party.  Of particular interest seems to be the dress code.  I realise that this will help people with planning and packing if they know what is going on.  My party is planned for Tuesday 19th January, 2016.  The location is not confirmed due to the damage which occurred with the cyclones and not knowing what has been rebuilt. I have been to a really great bar in Vanuatu right on the water but I can't be sure that it is even there any more.  In relation to dress code I intend to wear a fairly simple black dress.  In my head for the guys I am thinking like dress shorts and shirt type thing.  Hopefully this helps.  As soon as I confirm where we are going I will get back to you but dress wise this should get you started.

Dugongs

Just this week the visitors to the Warrick Resort were lucky enough to swim with Dugongs.  The mammals regularly swim just near the resort allowing the patrons to swim with these beautiful animals in their own environment.  This is a rare opportunity for the kids.  Despite what Emma Jones has thought all her life Dugongs are real.  They are the only truly herbivorous marine mammal.  For Tina that means they only eat plants. Tina below is a great white shark.  They are not found in the South Pacific.  You will see the difference between the Dugong above and the shark below.

The Dugong has no interest in eating you Tina it is quite safe for you to go into the water.  They basically eat Seagrass from the ocean floor.  These amazing creatures have a dolphin tail but are actually more closely related to whales.  They are calm and gentle living for up to 70 years.  The species is hunted for meat and oil and are nearing extinction.  Currently the water temperature in Vanuatu is 28 degrees.  For open water that is considered warm.  Very warm.  Even the most cold blooded will enjoy these water temperatures.  Don't forget your goggles and snorkels in case the Dugongs are still around.  It is expected that they will be.  Giant turtles are also regularly seen around the island in addition to the amazing tropical fish.

Race 1 Warrick Classic

There have been a number of changes to the race guide so here are the updated versions.  They are a little briefer than the originals so don't be afraid to read back over them to get a full understanding.

Race 1 has been forced to move from the Iririki track due to storm damage and will now be held at the Warrick Racecourse which you will find just near the pool bar overlooking the golf course.  The runners have changed in this race with the in and outs resulting in a very competitive field.

1. Deb JAMES is looking as strong as ever.  She will not rely on last minute training but the fact she has been putting away the ales since the days when she needed fake ID to get into pubs.  Definitely a favorite for providing laughs.  Deb is travelling with her husband Scott and two sons, Harrison and Matthew.  Deb is one of my awesome school mums.  Harrison and Matthew go to school with Jett.  Deb would still be a favorite to take out this race.

2.  Dave MORRIS has been training hard both on and off the track.  Having found himself a stable mate since booking the trip he has been training hard on the red wine.  Training with his stable mate Jemeel if wine is being served he will be a show unless the track runs past his room and then we'd be sure to see both of them sneak off the track.  Dave is travelling with his partner Jemeel and two of his children, Dana 15 and Hugh 11.  Dave is one of the investigators from my work.

3. Robyn SPARK has been training hard on the Margaritas.  An endurance athlete she will be strong and should back it up most days.  Robyn stables and trains with her husband Dave and will be travelling with their daughter, Chloe who will turn 7 while we're away.

4. Larry MEHEGAN is a veteran endurance athlete.  He will be a strong contender on any beer which he doesn't pay for himself.  Laz will perform no matter what the conditions or track.  Laz is my dad and is travelling with my mum Carol.  Don't let age deter you, he'll be there at the end.  An insomniac he is likely to be found near the pool from 6am most mornings.

5.  Emma JONES is a pocket rocket that can put the drinks away like any 6'3 grown man just don't let her near the microphone.  Emma's son, Kynan plays football with Jett.  Emma is travelling with her husband Bryn and their three children, Kynan, Shayla and Camden.

6. Zinnia HARDIMAN SCRATCHED - moved to a new stable with a new stable mate

7. Jameel MORRIS is quick and has plenty of go on the wine.  Training hard with Dave over recent months she will be strong.  As with Dave she may easily be distracted and could fall back from the field if there are hugs on offer or Dave's bedroom comes into view from the back straight.  If she remains focused, Jameel could even challenge Deb and Robyn.

Race 1 is now shaping up to be strong.

35 DAYS!

Well people it's only 35 days until we are out of here.  I think everyone is well aware its been a tough couple of months in the Hartman house.  Unfortunately that has left the blog a little bare.  But....we leave in 35 days it is time to get things moving.  We now have official numbers with flights and accommodation paid for.  I have a final form guide coming but wanted to bring up something in the mean time.  

There is really good snorkelling straight off the island.  Just this week there were dugongs swimming at the resort.  The resort has snorkelling gear available for use free of charge, however, do you really want to be sharing a snorkel with the unhygenic freak three doors up?  It has to be the fastest way to end up sick and who wants to spend a week in Vanuatu sick for any reason that is not self inflicted.

I would expect most of the kids will use snorkelling gear most days and I think it is worthwhile thinking about bringing your own.  They don't weigh that much and don't take up all that much room but could be worth their weight in gold.  For those that don't have any perhaps they'll make a perfect stocking filler for Christmas.  Obviously you don't have to but just an idea.