Attempt Twenty Two

LAST MEAL: A grilled breakfast...for tea.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Eating giant fruit.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Earworm of "Where have all the cowboys gone?".

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 6

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 33

I had a bit of an off-air hissy fit after last week's game and went to put that right as soon as I stepped into Ocean Bowl. The weather was perfect as I was inside and so I had no excuses not to give it my all with caution.

I think it paid off as the slight lift in my score was evident. Had I knocked over more of the pins I'm confident my score would have been higher, such is the game, and I will keep that in mind as I move forward. I think I may have really figured this bowling thing out.

Attempt Twenty One

LAST MEAL: Chicken New Yorker at Ocean Bowl. They do great food, too.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Installing a leisure battery in a campervan.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Thinking about installing batteries in campervans.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 10

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 33

We went for the Ocean Bowl experience once more tonight, dining and drinking before the main event. Judging by my score I probably should have bowled first but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I've included the scores of my children at their request. For those who say I never do anything with my kids, here's the proof that you're wrong. Next week we're all going for a big, long run. Also below is a picture of my beautiful hands after having to do some real work.

Attempt Twenty

LAST MEAL: Sausage casserole.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Half a bottle of port with a bottle of blue WKD. Happy anniversary to us.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Thinking about doing a marathon.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 3

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 32

I was presented with an opportunity to do the original Athens marathon last week but this week has put paid to the idea as I have a very important friend's wedding to go to over the same weekend. The desire to run again is strong in this one and so I am looking at booking into Amsterdam marathon instead so costs of flights, accommodation and other stuff were flying around my head when I should have been thinking about bowling.

That said I did manage a whole strike, which is nice.

Hopefully I'll have booked up by the end of the week and life can return to normal with my focus on Ocean Bowl instead of Amsterdam. I know I'm full of excuses but that's not likely to change.

Attempt Nu-nu-nu-nu-Nineteen

LAST MEAL: Roast Chicken and vegetables just like my children's momma used to make.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Dancing 3 miles through the streets of Helston on Flora Day.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Bringing three generations of Lander males (and three Lander females).

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 8

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 32

I won't waffle on too much tonight, suffice it to say that with six of us using the lane at Ocean Bowl I was slightly put off my stroke. I can't blame anyone other than myself as I relaxed into the game and enjoyed the time with my family thus enduring a lower score than I would have hoped for. Never mind, eh?

This followed a family-heavy weekend with the festivities of Flora Day in Helston so I can claim tiredness with a lack of focus. Still, that's what next week is for.

Attempt Eighteen

LAST MEAL: Pulled BBQ gammon and wedges with minted peas.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Foam bowling.

METHOD OF FOCUS: The outstretched arm.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 3

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 29

It was busy in Ocean Bowl this evening and I knew getting my ball was going to be a problem, however I sucked it up and used a different ball as I knew I'd be building on last week's techniques. Recently I read a passage in a document about motorbike control of all things and the part that really stuck out was about looking where you want an object to land - obviously in a motorbike you have to look away since, as stated, 'a motorbike is like any other weapon and will land where you're aiming it'. By reversing this procedure with the bowling ball and leaving my arm outstretched a little longer I found the strikes came a touch easier. I also had to shift slightly to the right as my position last week was more suited to a left handed bowler, the ball hooking anti-clockwise in my case and leaving a few too many pins.

This is a lot to take in but the gist is that I think I may be beginning to crack it. Three strikes this week certainly suggests I'm starting to get it right and I hope to continue this. The slushy may have helped but it's impossible to tell at this early stage. Incidentally the family were back this week so I definitely can't blame them.

(See if you can spot the deliberate wobble...)