Daily Report for 30 April 2013
TRM has gone to the dogs
Above are Stuart Hood and daughter Lottie from Cockle Bay with Frank and another mutt with attitude that gate crashed Frank’s photo opportunity. Stuart came to fish but as much time was spent watching the most unlikely pairing of Frank and Pumpkin enjoying each others company.
Pumpkin has slept all day since Frank left as she was so exhausted.
Dogs – mans best friend models – the pet dogs – not the growly guard dog types – are always welcome at TRM.
We have special units that are allocated for dog owners to provide for others who may be dog phobic or have dog allergies.
Many anglers in particular are keen dog owners so it is nice to allow them to bring their dogs.
The wonderful river walks along the banks of the Tongariro River are made for dogs to enjoy.
In the evenings it is more like a friendly kennel club with everyone out walking and exercising their dogs.
Then on right are Pauline and Barbara Sinel from Hamilton with Toby – their ‘spoodle’.
I was quite worried about Toby.
He was so cute he was in danger of being kidnapped by SWMBO. Boof was sooooo jealous.
If you think Pauline is looking ‘fresh’ then you are right. She had just returned from our famous bike ride – the Tongariro River Trail – a 15 km lap of the river up the western side via the Trout Centre to Red Hut to cross over and return on the angler tracks to the Tongariro road bridge.
As if that was not enough exercise for one day she was off to ride the Old Coach Trail from Ohakune to Horopito (Crash Palace) on SH4. Barbara prefers more sensible sedate fitness like walking Toby…
We meet so many who have recently taken up biking – growing old disgracefully – riding all the new bike trails these days, so TRM are doing all we can to cater more for them.
Then there are many others like Dave Southall – also from Hamilton – with his fishing companion and best buddy Gundi. Dave regularly uses his bike to get to the places where others cannot go…
He even takes Gundi stalking deer on the tracks in the Kaimanawas.
Then there are others who stay at TRM regularly to enjoy and spoil the canine security team such as the family on right.
When they arrived the TRM dog team shifted premises to live with the kids.
Below on left are Caroline & Denis from New Caledonia.
Denis goes fishing while Caroline entertains Boof and Pumpkin.
Our French may be very limited but with the dogs it is easy to break though the language barrier.
Last but certainly not least are recent guests Trev Hanover and Ruth from Melbourne – more ‘international’ Boof admirers. They will be back.
Trev is always scheming how he can get here to fish the Tongariro more often.
There are so many more ‘inmates’ we could feature who choose TRM to enjoy the company and antics of the security team.
We know you will too..
They are great stress relief, compulsory exercise, wonderful company, very friendly.
Indeed, in the reception is the sign – beware of the affectionate dogs.
We mean it.
Daily Report for 5 April 2013
Tongariro River Motel has gone to the dogs
Tongariro River Motel is concerned about maintaining the best security – not only our security but that of guests (inmates?).
The TRM security team of Boof and Pumpkin (aka Jaws & Fang) have been specially trained for guard duties which, of course, includes improving and maintaining the highest standards of public relations with inmates.
But lately their PR role appears to be dominated their prime burglar patrolling role. The duo have become more popular than the owners. So we thought you would enjoy some images of some of our loyal fishy guests training TRM’s security team.
Today we have Caroline and Denis from New Caledonia – regular TRM guests. Denis goes fishing while Caroline trains (?) the dogs. For the last week or so Boof spent most of each day at their unit – you can imagine why.
After their annual week’s Tongariro fly fishing holiday they left SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the manager at TRM and next in line in pecking order after the security team) some left overs which they had bought for the dogs. I hope you can see from the image why they spent more time with Caroline.
TRM’s dog food – their most expensive possum roll – from the vets can’t compete with that. After Caroline & Denis had departed, Boof spent the whole day patiently waiting and pining outside their unit for his extra prime steak rations.
Boof and Pumpkin have now become even more important in contributing to TRM’s popularity rating with the websites which grade and score tourist accommodation. Who would have imagined TRM’s reputation now lies in the paws of the wacky canine security team.
Daily Report for 11 December 2012:
(Above image – SPCA intoducing Pumpkin on 15 September – when SWMBO was away on shopping leave…)
Tongariro Trail’s exciting FREE therapeutic exercise…
TRM bookings are increasing for the summer holiday season. Prospective guests are looking forward to lots of holiday activities.
Refer to home page for the extensive schedule of over 20 excellent activities available – this summer holiday nature programme is greatly under rated and worth planning your holiday around.
Did you know TRM also have their own summer (& autumn & winter & spring) recreational programme which – surprise, surprise, – revolves around taking doggies walkies. Amazingly, SWMBO does not even charge for this fail safe doggy therapy. Some anglers even prefer it to biking.
Do not under-rate the claims of immense therapeutic benefits from this, in addition to the obvious improvements in fitness. Inmates tell us they walk far longer and further with the dogs than they would ever achieve on their own and return so relaxed and happy. Almost too happy? Some go every day which got SWMBO wondering.
Now She thinks She knows why.. In case you get the wrong impression, this recreational activity is not confined to females only. That is why it is the feature subject of this fishing report(?). You might have already guessed that SWMBO is still away on extended shopping leave – otherwise we would not have the courage to make this admission or at the very least it would have been heavily censored.
For tired craggy old fishermen, dog-walking is much more than just physical exercise. We have to be a bit sensitive how we explain this but we are only repeating what other inmates have told us. OK?
Doggie walking is a guaranteed way of “pulling the birds”. They tell us it is so successful it is dangerous!
Every time any TRM anglers take the pooch team walkies all the ladies along the river track want to stop for a kind pat and a long chat. With Boof it wasn’t always guaranteed as he tries desperately to look savage and threatening. He imagines he might look menacing but behind that ferocious facade is a big pussy cat. Most recognise that is normal for Boxers.
But his apprentice successor Pumpkin is an absolute winner.
No one can resist her. Her beautifully sad expression combined with so much positive attitude breaks through all social barriers. She will not allow any ladies to pass by without demanding more than her share of pats and cuddles ahead of Boof.
Please don’t read too much into this but for many tired old fishermen it makes walking the pooch up the river so much more enjoyable than just fitness therapy.
It makes them feel young again…
That is why SWMBO more suitably described it as emotional and spiritual therapy. Very PC. SWMBO cannot decide whether it is the benefits from recreational power walking and additional physical effort to keep up with Pumpkin that sparks up the more mature anglers, or meeting and chatting up all the birds on the Tongariro River Trail. But who cares?
Also for anglers staying here over the holiday period we should post an early warning. Pumpkin is addicted to your favourite shoes. Particularly the slip-on jandal sandal types. We are training her (?) but she still manages to sneak off with odd guests shoes.
So SWMBO apologise in anticipation – just in case.
But it is what she does then that impresses us. She leaves them on Boof’s bed..?.
Whether this is her way to return with a present for Boof (her mentor) or whether she wants Boof to get the blame, we cannot be sure? Her best or worst effort was racing past the office recently wearing someones prized fishing hat. But thankfully we returned it without him even realising it had gone missing.
Pumpkin has put on a lot of healthy condition and has fully recovered from her unfortunate start in life.
She was found abandoned over at National Park by the lovely ladies of the Turangi SPCA. They decided the TRM Laundry Assistant/temporary manager could never reject her, particularly as SWMBO was away again on a previous shopping trip.
At that time Pumpkin was very skinny and under nourished. Now she lives in heaven. Being female, she bosses Boof around mercilessly all the time, (and he loves it) so he is more alert than ever.
She has now improved from a pathetic twiggy 5 kg mut to a bouncy loveable 12 kg. and is a delight for inmates, despite their odd shoe missing.
Everyone completely spoils her which is wonderful – she deserves lots of TLC.
So we hope that brings you up to date with TRM’s security team for the holiday season. Pumpkin is taking bookings for summer walkies but you will need to book early.
Boof also always goes along too, as chaperon.
Boof’s adventure
Dear SWMBO
I’m writing to complain about the behaviour of your dog. I took both Pumpkin and Boof for an early morning walk earlier this week and I thought they’d both enjoy it more if we went somewhere new. So I drove them down Grace Rd to the lower river.
Along with his partner in crime, Pumpkin who followed yapping at his heels continuously, Boof repaid my kindness by running all over the place like a crazed, spring chicken and was not at all the elderly, distinguished, well behaved dog I had been told he was.
Boof finally calmed down but then took off again and I soon saw why when 3 goats went barreling past me forcing me to jump out of the way. Suddenly there were goats bleating and running everywhere. I saw two kids trapped on a rock in the water and mama goats running back and fourth between the river and the undergrowth. In the thick of it was Boof woof wooping like a mad dog. He had so many goats to chase he kept changing directions every few seconds.
Amusingly he did bail up two females and a medium sized billy goat gruff who upon realizing he was trapped, turned toward Boof and lowered his head. Boof got out of that hole double quick and I think got butted on the behind once or twice. This didn’t deter him from chasing another set of goats and he took off upstream.
At this stage I suddenly thought of Pumpkin who in the mayhem had been running around as well. I did see her go to inspect the kids (who were about her size) but then she’d run off and I’d lost track of her in the mayhem. I was relieved to find her more or less hiding behind me because she was following so closely in my footsteps that I couldn’t see her until she bumped into me.
I then hurried after Boof who had by now disappeared around a bend in the river. For a dog supposedly with arthritis he sure moved fast! I finally caught up to him when I had got a couple of hundred metres up the river and was surprised to see him shaking himself on the other side of the river about 50m away. This confused me until I realized he had obviously chased some goats across who had been trying to get away from him and they were now bailed up in some undergrowth that was mostly blackberry.
Boof circled and barked and made his best pointer dog impression. Eventually he calmed down enough to listen to me calling to him and came down to the water edge. Then the goats moved so he was off again. This kept up for about 10 minutes. When it was obvious the goats were not coming out and Boof was not going in, he came back to the rivers edge and listened to my pleas for him to swim back, ‘come on boy, come over here’, patting my knee, etc. Then followed the most pathetic attempt (for a river dog) to get back in the water I’ve seen since primary school. He would look dejectedly at the river, run to another point, wade in a little, then whimper and backtrack quickly. He put on his frown and saddest Boof face. To be fair the current on his side was quite fast and right up against the bank. So he did try to get in once or twice but quickly got out. By this time I had waded out to about waist deep, calling and waving and trying to encourage him to get going. After all he got over there in the first place. I was getting quite wet (no waders) and starting to sink. The river was also quite fast and getting deeper.
So I retreated and decided it was time for a new plan. I might be able to sucker him back by pretending to leave. So pointing back the way we’d come I headed off with Pumpkin waving goodbye to Boof, stopped called him over, then continued walking a little way, stopped, called him, then kept going. No such luck. Cue running up and down on a patch of grass on the far bank and anguished yelping but no getting in the water. Just to add to the woe Pumpkin joined in Boof’s wailing.
I realised there was no other way but to go and get him. I tried wading out again but more fast water and sinking sand convinced me this was a bad idea. I realised I would soon be in trouble myself with all the heavy clothing and gumboots I was wearing and would need rescuing myself. This may finally have got Boof off his bank but I decided not to risk it.
So it was all or nothing. I waded back, tied up Pumpkin to a log, took everything off and started wading out again until the water was above the family jewels. By half ways I was swimming and angled up river to get through the fast water. I made it to Boof’s bank but man was it cold! I climbed out, glaring at Boof. I can’t remember how he reacted but I then figured I better act happy to see him. So after a few pats and a fuss I started to consider how to get him back. All my coaxing through chattering teeth couldn’t get him to move. Also with logs and whole trees scattered along the river bank there were no easy crossing points.
As I’ve said the current against this bank was moving fast. Just standing on a little ledge in the water I had to cling to the grass. Eventually my patience worn thin and with nowhere else along the bank looking easier for getting in I realised there was again nothing else for it.
So standing on this ledge in the water up to my armpits, I grabbed Boof, who resisted and forcibly manhandled him into the water in front of me. He really didn’t want to go and fought all the way. I had to hold on to his collar and half drag, half throw him over my shoulder. Once he was in I followed and pushing off the bank, pushed him through the fast water. Fortunately after that he took over and is quite a good paddler as I had to swim hard to get myself through. Boof was a bit slower so I came back and swam beside him for the last half. I wasn’t sure how we were going to get out but Boof somehow scrambled over all the logs so I followed his example.
Dripping and freezing at about 7-7.30am in the morning I stamped around until I decided I had to put all my clothes back on or freeze. Fortunately I dried quickly on the walk / run back and actually started feeling refreshed after a morning swim. Unfortunately I should have put Boof on a leash as soon after we started a head appeared out of the undergrowth and again Boof was off. Bloody hell, full of bloody goats! Once again there were goats everywhere and being downwind this time it stank of them. I even noticed a big billy goat watching from between the trees who Boof sensibly ignored. I did keep a hand on Pumpkin this time and even picked her up. I think she was more scared of the goats than they were of Boof. I could hear his woofing off in the distance through the trees and just through ‘shit’.
Most of the way back to the car I was calling but was unable to whistle through still wet lips. I had all but given up Boof for lost and was trying to think how I’d explain it and whether I’d include swimming across the river for him. To my great relief I then heard a familiar bounding behind me and out of the long grass comes the loping, smiling figure of Boof who then proceeds to walk in front with Pumpkin as if nothing has happened.
Thus ends my sorry tale of no fishing, little walking and some swimming. I enjoyed my stay at your motel and actually quite like the rustic charm of TRM with the rod racks on the walls. I do appreciate you lending me all your fishing gear as well. However I will think twice about dog walking from now on; at least until next time and then maybe not down river.
Until then, tight leads and lines – Jim Tim
TRM Daily Report for 17 September 2012:
Senior staff changes at TRM
We have often suggested, TRM has become more like a fishing club with most inmates being regular angling visitors who like to know who might be looking after their interests………
…….. This is no reflection on the existing security officer, Boof, who cannot be everywhere at once. But we need a more active guard patrol whose savage appearance alone will strike fear into any local kids who want to take out their frustrations on our signage.
On Saturday the local SPCA lady – Tracy – introduced Boof to ‘Pumpkin” – an abandoned 3 month old pup. They instantly formed a compatible crime-busting team. Pumpkin is now at the vets for the necessary nick and tuck before she commences TRM guard duties with a crash conversion course under the tutelage of the old master Boof.
With school holiday approaching in October this is also a request to regular inmates that we will need increased puppy walkers staying at TRM for the next few months.
I can hear some of you already complaining as TRM tried to introduce an orderly succession in anticipation of Boof’s pending retirement in January – with Tyler – but that did not work out. So Pumpkin will soon arrive to serve her apprenticeship in security duties and escorting guests and guiding anglers on the Tongariro River.
Regular observant readers will also have noted that SWMBO is still away on Christmas shopping leave in Auckland. Wont Pumpkin be a nice surprise for Her? I’ll give Her a Christmas present She wont forget.
That’s what happens when management delegate all responsibilities and go away for too long…
Boof – “This Is Your Life”.
First it is traditional to provide some background information on Boof’s career steps and his pedigree as a pure bred-for-show Boxer.. Sorry – there isn’t any. We have been told he has all the important Boxer characteristics i.e. he will never grow up and is always a playful happy puppy.
Boof’s history is uncertain as he was rescued by a dog shelter after he had been mishandled. He had been left tied up continuously which had worn all the hair off his neck. He was a sorry sight. Very skinny too.
So it was no wonder when some kind people saved him he was a bit of an uncontrollable larrikin – chasing buses and such like.
As a result, to protect Boof from himself, they were looking for a nice friendly home where he could wear himself out safely and drive his new owners potty. TRM’s most regular inmate, Wendy Godkin, discovered him and recommended us. She is so thoughtful. It was love at first bite. He was duly adopted about four years ago and appointed by TRM on night security patrol duties. He was a complete failure. Absolutely useless.
The sign on the gate – ‘Burglars welcome! Dog food is expensive!’ fooled no one. Boof easily managed to sleep through every emergency TRM have had. Even the recent earthquakes. I mean he didn’t even chase off Shane Someone-or-other (Did you know Shane recently threatened to mount Boof for a fishing trophy – unbelievable but true! Go to: taupofishing.co.nz and click on Fishing Report for 26 June and report him to SPCA).
But back to Boof’s “This is your Life” story.
Eventually Boof found his true calling. From a dismal failure as a guard dog eventually came success in Boof’s new chosen career as a trout fishing guide dog. His apprenticeship was not without drama. First – a minor problem was he didn’t like water. It was cold and wet. So we started him off chasing a stick throwing it into the shallows, as you do. Soon he got braver and deeper and discovered his talent and ability for swimming. His big front paws and powerful forelegs made him a natural paddler.
In no time it became fun. Then, without any direction or prompting by us, he trained himself to become such a legendary guide dog.
Like all fly fishing, it started with TRM’s casting clinic. He thought we were throwing a stick. When he saw the nymphs splash on the water that was good enough for him. He is a very quick learner. Immediately he sprinted off chasing and swimming to bring back the indicators – not always our own either.
After a few months intensive practice we managed to wean him off fluffy indicators and bypass the usual fishing gear to graduate directly onto the real quarry – monster killer trout.
When Tongariro River anglers practice catch & release they are probably unaware that most of the lucky trout qualify as “Boof bait”. The worn out trout look for a hidden place to recover under a bank in the shallows. Recovering slabs also favour these protected (?) quiet locations. But Boof has learnt all their secret spots from the Fence Pool down to the Delta. He is so sneaky as he glides along the shallows doing otter like impressions until he discovers some poor half dead killer trout and immediately his primal instincts take over – he boxes with them.
They are much more fun than rats. It is more like a furiously fast game of water polo as he flicks them along the shallows – not unlike a cat with a mouse – until the trout surrenders. Then he gently drags them up on shore cautiously watching out for any DoC rangers as he does not have a fishing licence.
After congratulations and pat on the head he takes them off for formal burial.
Hence please accept this as an apology in anticipation, or an early warning for anglers fishing the winter spawning runs on he Tongariro River.
If you leave trout lying around unguarded on the bank and Boof is anywhere in the vicinity then he may feel a desperate need to rescue it for you. You can either find it freshly buried nearby or discover an identical replica already gutted and frozen in TRM’s freezer.
Despite TRM’s best training techniques, it has happened.
The PR problem with his new skills is that Boof now believes he has become a celebrity dog. Last year he got more Christmas cards than us. He is more famous in cyber space than in Turangi. We have had visitors call in just to meet him to have their photos taken with their idol. Even folks from overseas, just to see if he is real.
More amazing, even though they had not booked in to TRM, Boof treated them just the same.
As such he is now in more demand by inmates for walkies most days and may not be available for trout hunting and burial duties.
]Indeed, some people imagine I spend every day out fishing, but it is Boof they have spied out guiding others – not me. I’m usually buried in the laundry.
So if you imagine you can claim a replica killer trout, make sure you lost one first. We have already had one crafty prospective claimant blame Boof when we know he was out escorting inmates on a tiki tour in a different location.
Boof’s latest internal promotion, to try to mend his evil ways, is as Manager. With such a friendly goofy lovable guide dog like Boof, life is never dull at TRM.
Tongariro River Motel’s famous guard dog (?) had a special visitor for the school holidays yesterday.
Victoria from Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, stayed at TRM during Easter 2011 and formed a special mates’ relationship with Boof.
As regular guests realise, being a professional security guard Boof has to be very picky about who he likes but he easily fell for Victoria’s full-on charm and TLC. He was besotted.
At the time TRM posted Victoria’s image – on right – as she qualified to join Boof’s ever growing fan club. During her stay here they were inseparable best mates and Boof pined after she left.
Fortunately Boof soon recovered as other families staying for several days at TRM to fish the Tongariro River (hint, hint) soon filled the gap and he was kept busy all day guiding and protecting them from bears along the river trails.
Boof’s fame spread further when Victoria’s end-of-year school project was all about her Easter holiday at Turangi, the hard to catch trout and of course her new best friend Boof. She even had the same image of her and the hound on her calendar. How many guard dogs have their own calendar? Such devotion…
So we were delighted yesterday to see her return just to visit her best friend Boof and bring him a new toy – a tennis ball. If you look closely at the image on left you can see what is left of the tennis ball being fiercely guarded by Boof – even from her.
Victoria’s family have been staying in a time-share at Taupo for their 2012 holiday and were visiting after their trip to the Trout Centre Kids Fishout where Victoria had landed her trout. She reports it fought for 17 seconds so it must have been a big one – about the size of the trout Boof used to catch.
These days Boof is a little older and slower and we regret he does not even bother to go fishing these days. That may also have something to do with the water temperature at this time of the year when the rod guides freeze up during the morning sessions.
Tongariro River Motel Daily Report – January 3rd, 2012
(Above: Jason Arnold and Etham [Batman] Beth & Flynn with Boof)
Boof has been the real star during the holidays and all the wet weather at Tongariro River Motel.
Take yesterday for example. Boof’s first booking was about 7.30 am when he guided Lance & Sonra Sunde from Oratia for a vigorous workout around the river tracks.
Lance tells us that Boof only stopped once to sniff at a log when a rabbit streaked away from underneath. Boof streaked off even faster after it. It was soon caught and humanely “attended to” by Boof (a quick flick of the neck and it was all over) and taken off for a decent burial.
The Sundes were astounded although for Boof this was just another normal morning routine. They suggested Boof deserves a commendation from DoC for removing noxious pests.
They returned about 9am to the waiting Arnold team. Etham (Batman), Beth & Flynn had been anxiously waiting to take Boof walkies down to the park. He was a bit more subdued by then. They took him much further so he was dragging the leash on their return and more than a little weary.
Boof was most impressed by Etham’s Batman uniform. Etham got it from Santa and has worn it ever since…
This was cunning tactics by Dad, Jason Arnold, to wear the kids out before the 4 hour drive to Wellington.
When they returned about 10 am there was the Drake team of five super enthusiastic kids from Woodville waiting to play chase with Boof….
And on it went all day. For the afternoon Boof was hiding trying to find a cool place to recover with his afternoon snooze.
Images of Boof taking Jafa buddies, Dudley and Normandy (Cadogan) around his patch. Wow – were they envious? They are already planning their next trip for Boof to teach them how to stalk trout. Image above was their introductory course.
Tongariro River Motel announce another unique free service –
TRM’s own Special Personal Trainer:
As we all get a bit more mature (aka older, ageing, slower, weary, drooping, tired, forgetful, you know…) ones personal condition factor starts to slide.
OK – we all know that. Whether we admit it or not it is happening. So what can we do about it?
Well finally SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is TRM’s Manager and everything else) has recognised that She too needed outside professional help. She reckons She has the solution too.
Self discipline was all very well but She needed something more to get Her enthused to start every day with full on PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) and someone with more motivation to get Her out on the Tongariro River Trail (TRT) and then push the pace. (You are going to hear a lot more about the TRT in the next year.)
We won’t talk about drooping waist lines or love handles and saggy things – TRM inmates don’t do all that negative elderly stuff. Now, after several years fighting the bulge and steadily losing the battle, She acknowledges all that She needed was the services of Her own Personal Trainer!
Her specification was daunting. He had to be much younger, good looking, fit, indefatigable, always cheerful and completely positive, never complaining or critical, and – perhaps the biggest ask of all – an extremely cheap Personal Trainer.
Now we have great pleasure in introducing him… Incidentally, this is another FOC (Free of Charge) service for inmates and it costs nothing either. SWMBO promises this is more than just a promotional marketing ruse to fill empty beds at TRM.
This is a unique offer to change the nature and culture of TRM for fishos wives/girlfriends/nieces and make you all young again.
Just imagine, TRM could become a new-age wellness and fitness facility for ladies as much as it is a spiritual retreat for grizzly old fishos. Far too many regular inmates leave their better halves at home so SWMBO hopes this will encourage them to stay longer as well. Once they appreciate the extensive programmes TRM have to offer they can all come fishing more often with a clear conscience. What a marvelous scheme.
Tomorrow we look forward to introducing you to TRM’s special Personal Trainer and his fitness programme for the 2011-2012 summer.
Don’t miss it…
(Continued… Daily Report 30 September…)
Need a Personal Trainer?
Tongariro River Motel Manager SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) was trying to discover a chink in a niche market to offer an extra sweetener incentive that no other motel would dare provide as TRM’s point of difference. She has been advised this is apparently a very important tool in marketing terms.
So yesterday we announced SWMBO’s bold initiative and exciting new plan to provide a Personal Trainer for guests benefit. A Personal Trainer is supposed to be a coach, friend, taskmaster, torturer, (fly fishing really is a gentle form of enjoyable torture too) and sometimes psychologist. So SWMBO has someone very special in mind.
Usually a Personal Trainer might be described as a fitness professional involved in exercise prescription and instruction. They motivate their clients by setting goals. They may also educate their clients in many other aspects of wellness besides exercise, including general health.
According to SWMBO, Personal Training in women has been shown to exercise behavior patterns, improve perceptual benefit-to-concern ratio for exercise (decisional balance), and increase confidence to choose exercise in the face of other time demands. The involvement of a Personal Trainer is usually to achieve higher strength, higher workout intensities, and higher perceived exertion during exercise.
Their aim for you is to get ahead. But ahead of what?
So you will be relieved to discover that TRM’s specially designed Personal Trainer programme is not concerned with any of that rubbish. His sole aim and entire point of existence is summed up in two words – pure enjoyment.
At TRM that is a far more noble professional Personal Trainer aim for his exclusive club clients than all that JAFA gym inspired fashionable goal setting nonsense.
TRM’s Personal Trainer duties are somewhat different and go well beyond normal levels. More Turangian. No goals. No prescriptions. No warm ups. No warm down exercises. No pilates. No yoga. No stretches. No painful boring exercise routine (apart from moving). His totally flexible programme is to fit in with your holiday life style health and leisure wellness plan. He needs to be available at any time in daylight hours. Additional duties will also include being your absolute best ever confidant and security guard with unconditional loyalty and devotion. You can even cuddle him. You can’t ask for more than that.
So if you haven’t guessed it by now, TRM’s Personal Trainer is Boof…
(Image on right is a Boof wannabe)
Tongariro River Motel Daily Report
28 May 2012
Last year I was walking the Tongariro River tracks circuit (go to TRM’s Big Day Out in Links) with a guest. We paused at the lookout up above the Duchess Pool cliffs where a good view is available down the river.
Opposite in the shallows, where anglers usually wade, we noticed some trout spawning.
My guest was fascinated by their frantic activity; indeed I might even suggest she got quite excited.
Then suddenly from down river we could clearly see this torpedo charging up river towards them.
You guessed it – a big black shag.
Fortunately the shag missed them and then surfaced and drifted off down current out of sight and dived again. Then after a few minutes the trout were back in action. We could clearly see the flashes from the hen shivering as she squeezed out her eggs with several red flanked jacks in close attendance. Then again the black torpedo sped in from nowhere.
This “game” went on for ages.
It was so cruel to see how the submerged shag just waited until the trout were at a peak of excitement when their guard was down it swept in to try to savage them. That might be the natural laws of survival but not pretty to watch.
More recently you may have noticed that the number of shags chasing trout in the Tongariro seems to have diminished. TRM think we have the most likely explanation. But first some background description of TRM’s famous security dog.
Every month since our hero, Boof, caught a few trout last season and featured in various papers, TRM have been contacted by TV1′s “Close Up” team for an “exclusive” interview.
I am not sure whether it is Boof’s trout catching abilities encouraging them or the spirit or threat of competition from “Campbell Live” on TV3. We regret to advise Boof has been a complete disappointment to them.
This January he also starred on French Fishing TV with an audience in excess of 4 million.
Surprisingly Boof is not a natural fisherdog by instinct.
It is usually only when I am fishing somewhere down river and after an hour or so of being ignored he gets bored.
To pass the time he patrols up and down searching under the shallow banks until he surprises trout hiding there. Then Boof makes full use of his Boxer parentage and practices boxing involving a fast and furious game of soccer until he flicks the tired trout up on the bank.
Then he takes them off and buries them.
For Boof it was just an alternative casual leisure activity to fill in the time. Nothing to get too excited about at all.
He had probably seen me catch a few so wanted to join in. I had to discourage the TV people from lugging cameras etc. down there as it would be a waste of time.
Boof would be too busy making new friends with them to even think about fishing.
I should explain these are not fresh out of the lake trout that he picks on – they would be too cunning and too quick.
I think they have either spawned and were recovering or might have been caught and released and were hiding under the banks sulking, as they do.
Following the TV media interest I wondered whether we should buy Boof a licence?
But when I tried to get Boof involved in fishing again this season I found his priorities had changed.
He preferred to sleep.
At first we thought he must be getting too old? But no.
Being responsible parents, to combine his “aqua-cises” and to give him a bath, we threw a stick well out into the river for him to swim after, chasing it down the gentle current.
Imagine Boof’s surprise one particular day when a shag just happened to pop his/her head up for air when Boof was paddling around looking for his stick. Boof was hot on the scent immediately with much renewed interest – chasing a stick that dives is far more fun. When the shag popped up again a little while later Boof immediately swam after it.
This game of chase continued until the shag was exhausted and flew off.
Since then Boof has given up stalking trout. They are too easy. He is now concentrating on finding and chasing shags.
I know DoC will advise that black shags are protected but to most river anglers they are nothing but a pest chasing young trout. They are often seen almost choking as they frantically try to swallow mature trout poking out their beaks. The number of time trout are caught with cruel injuries from shag’s hooked beaks is alarming.
Shags also spread disease.
I am also reliably informed they could spread didymo.
The Game Authorities regularly have controlled culls on geese and paradise ducks to reduce their numbers but for some reason never cull shags? It might be because they cannot eat them? So Boof has bravely taken on full responsibility to rid the Tongariro River of these pests all by himself.
We hope DoC do not object to Boof’s latest adventures. Ducks are not at risk ever since a Paradise Duck beat Boof up – he is scared of them. He ignores Blue Ducks and shows no interest in ducks or herons – he knows his limits.
The truth is he hasn’t caught a shag yet but it is not for lack of trying.
Any shags he sees are targeted immediately and they soon decide it is easier to move on.
So to compensate for all those trout he has buried, Boof now represents them. TRM now has our natural weapon of mass destruction to restore some balance for mother nature.