Craig Can Swim

Back in July, Craig had been going to swimming lessons once a week for months with little success. But, a change of coach, that necessitated a change of venue to a pool with warmer (although not heated) water, had a very positive effect. Sadly, because of an impending move, Craig only had a few lessons with the new coach.

With the previous coach Craig was only able to stay afloat when using a kickboard and an adult needed to hold the board. By the time the last lesson with the new coach rolled around Craig could swim a few strokes unaided.

For the last lesson, the coach had set up two benches underwater about 10 metres apart.




Despite the lack of success at swimming the whole distance between the benches Craig didn't stop trying. His eagerness to please the coach was obvious as was his disappointment when he couldn't swim to the other bench.



After 55 minutes of the one-hour lesson had passed, Craig's Dad was consoling himself with the thought that Craig had improved a lot in just a few lessons with this coach. That boded well for the future. Craig was so close to swimming by himself that it would only need a few more lessons and he'd be a swimmer.

The coach is a busy man. His next student had arrived and was watching from the edge of the pool with his parents. It seemed that the lesson was winding down. But, the coach sensed that Craig was not finished. Craig's Dad was very surprised when the coach stepped over one underwater bench to stand behind it and leave the whole 10-metre stretch of water between the two benches unattended. He even motioned to Craig's Dad to prepare to take another video.



Craig was as excited about his little achievement as anyone else. He was full of energy. Usually, straight after the end of a lesson, Craig would hop into a warm spa pool to warm up. He normally has to be on his best behaviour in the spa pool because it is small and he needs to be considerate of the other people using it. On this very special day the spa pool was empty and Craig could release some energy!

Trip to Tainan

Back in July, the family began saying goodbye to Taiwanese friends and family. In that spirit, a trip to Tainan was arranged. Train trips are normally happy events for Graham. He loves watching the world fly past from the comfort of a big wide seat. However, if a 1-hour train ride is followed by a 30-minute trip in a taxi he might fall asleep. That's what happened on the trip to Tainan to visit one of Mum's best friends. After getting out of the taxi, Graham slept on a sofa in a hotel lobby.

Then, Graham continued his nap upstairs on a bed while Craig did his best to wake Graham up while pretending that he was doing something else.

After waking up the boys went to a nearby park to expend some energy.

There was plenty to do.

Craig's climbing skills are very well-practiced.

This photo typified the swinging styles of boys - one more energetic and one more relaxed.

Craig lost a front tooth. It was a baby tooth and he had been fiddling with it constantly so it was no surprise when the tooth fell out during dinner.

At breakfast the next morning Graham wasn't happy with the food being provided so he went to check out the buffet himself.

There were photos taken to commemorate the occasion.

Then, there was a very crowded trip on the High Speed Rail.

A typhoon had messed up the schedule and all the trains were packed to the rafters. The boys were lucky that their clever parents had caught a local train from Tainan to Zuoying so that they could get a seat. :) Otherwise it would have been a tough ride home.