5 Years Ago Today

Happy together

Just a warning, this is slightly off topic and possibly a little on the romantic/soppy side of things, so I'll understand if you decide not to continue, but sometimes it is worth stopping and acknowledging just how awesome life can be.

Mr Carl - The Cyclist

  

Five years ago I took Mr Carl to his first Womad and at some point in time that day we decided that we enjoyed each others company and wanted to make a go of it. It was a big risk we were taking, we worked together, literally a few metres from each other, and if something went wrong it would probably be spectacular. Still, from the moment I met Carl, I thought he was something special and I was willing to take that risk. Thankfully, so was he.

WOMAD - Hippy times!

Today will be our fifth Womad together and we've learnt a lot about each other in that time. Mr Carl's turned me from someone who thought I was doing well riding 5 km around the block to someone who just rode over 150km in one day. He's guided me up hills, taught me how to change a flat and listened to endless discussions about how I was progressing. I, in turn have encouraged him to try his hand at racing and mountain biking, having far more success with the former than the later. 

He does like Mountain Biking - I promise!

I'm a terrible mountain biker, however the mountain bikes are technically all my fault, as I suggested we get them to ride around my parents farm one year. I also put both of us significantly out of our comfort zone when I suggested that we have a go at the outback odyssey and brave the rigours of life in a tent. Carl stepped up to the challenge and proved to be an amazing travelling partner, even when injured. 

Pasta a Plenty!

 

It's not just cycling where we've complimented and challenged each other, Carl welcomed me into his house and I turned it upside down, in the process we made a home. We cooked together (now there's a real relationship tester), covering the house in flour as we made pasta. Feasts with friends became something of a regular occurrence and we spent many evenings in the company of good friends and good food.

 
I've also turned his garden upside down, installed raised beds and tried hard to kill the lawn out the front. I'm pretty sure Carl doesn't mind this too much, at least he seems to enjoy the snacking tomatoes by the front gate!

Happy times at Aquaterra

Carl taught me the value of having time to myself and not doing too much and I encouraged him to fill his calendar with races! It hasn't all been roses though, both of us have been through injury and illness and have had to learn to rely on the other at times. We've learnt when to step back and when to step in, especially working together as well. And we've been through tough times at work, with friends and colleagues losing jobs and significant changes to the small company that we both started out with.

Suave Mr Carl

 

We've had adventures and made friends, many of whom I couldn't imagine not having in my life now. Five years on and I'm still happy to be sitting on the grass at Womad, drinking a coconut, listening to music and enjoying the company of my wonderful partner. 

The awesome Mr Carl!