I started a new hobby on the weekend. 

We're babysitting a family member's wave ski for at least the next 12 months and I've been itching to take it out on the river for a paddle.  I can't remember having been on a wave ski before, but have done some paddling in canoes and white water rapids years ago.

I just needed a trolley of some kind to be able to transport the ski before I could get started so I forgo chocolates, roses and other traditional Mother's Day gifts and openly hinted that this is what I'd really like for a pressie (as well as the usual cup of tea in bed in the morning, and the kids to tidy up after themselves all day without me having to ask).

Being a little nervous about being stranded in the middle of the River and unsure if I would be able to get back on to the wave ski if I tipped over and fell off, I also asked for a life vest or jacket.  If you don't ask, you don't get.

So, I got both, and then no excuses!  

The first time wasn't too difficult at all.  I forgot to take the life vest, so stayed very close to shore. It was a little tippy, especially when boats went flying past and the wake caused little swells, but nothing that made me close to falling off. I was concentrating very hard and wouldn't have dared look back over my shoulder in case I lost my balance.

I really enjoyed it, and it was even quite social out on the water.  'Hellos', 'Catching anything? to a fellow dragging a fishing line on his wave ski as he paddled along, 'Any dolphins out?' from a older fellow about to have a swim off the end of a jetty.

Arms were a bit sore the next day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous on Sunday and the river was glassy and beautiful so I went out again. Not for such a long time as the previous, but as I was wearing the life vest and felt much more secure and safer I ventured further to the middle of the river, paddling around boats on their moorings, and cutting across bays.

Here's a pic safely back at shore:

 What hobbies or new sports have you started recently? Or would like to do?