Badminton Battle

One of the highlights of Gaz staying with us was our almost daily badminton hit-abouts around our apartment block. Ok, it wasn't on a properly marked-out court, nor was there a net to catch some of our terribly low tennis shots, but it was a great physical work-out, and lots of fun. The humidity was draining, so we often took water and 100plus with us to keep us hydrated.

Our ready photographer, Fidelia, captured some lovely images of us in action in a particularly intense exchange of hard-hitting badminton on a sunny evening. I miss these moments with Gaz!

Warmed-up with some easy forehands

Gaz got straight into the action with an overhead

Casual forehand

I hurl a cock back towards Gaz

Gaz lines one up

Gaz in action with an overhead

I belt the cock across the yard

Fie took a couple of nice close-ups of me...reminds me of a few pictures of Roger Federer from this years Australian Open...not that I'm trying to put myself in his bracket, of course!

Gaz loves this picture because he thinks he looks like Keanu Reeves off The Matrix!

Great shot of Gaz guiding a forehand down the line

Jumping for a smash

Showing off my Roger Federer service action...eh-hum

Watching a backhand leave the strings

Gaz in action again

Gaz lining up the cock...

I almost have a collision with a rusting box!

Springing into the air for a backhand overhead, the most difficult shot in the book

Probably my favourite picture, suspended in mid-air, winding up for a big smash

Gaz weighs in with a meaty hit of his own

Nice connection...

...and follow-through

Gaz prepares for a backhand...

Look at the slice on that!!!

Knackered after a hard-fought match!

A little sampler

A game of badminton with Gaz became an intense battle of hard-hitting and endurance. Pictures to come...

Sports Injuries

Yesterday evening Urai and I were playing badminton along with Sharon, (Urai's friend who lives just opposite us) and while Urai was retrieving my backhand passing shot, she fell down a small step, twisted her ankle, cut her toe and crumpled in a heap on the hard floor. We rushed over to help her and Fie took her upstairs to wash down her cuts and bruises. She moved a little gingerly for the rest of the night. Here is her slightly swollen ankle...

Her right big toe sustained a deep cut which stung badly as she hit it against the stone step. The skin was still clinging on as we got her upstairs...

As you can see, or as you will see in the following picture, her cut exposed some raw flesh which watered as the remarkable human body began it's natural defence against injury. After cutting off the flap of skin, her toe looked like this...

But Urai is a fighter and was later that night studying with Sharon in the living room for a while.

Urai won't be playing badminton again for a while, but she valiantly hobbled to the school bus this morning and made it through the day. Well done Urai, you're a true champion!!!