Still in christchurch, but employed again. Driving a furniture delivery truck for a rental company - they furnish show homes to help sell them.
Otherwise nothing to report - life goes on in a cashless blur till payday…
Add comment May 31st, 2007
Cathedral Square at night with the Cathedral and the rather strange sculpture. Best described as a giant metal ice cream cone I guess…
1 comment May 29th, 2007
The previously mentioned mischievous and mad alpine parrot. I suspect this one was trying to distract me while his friends were looking to steal my rucksack, but it made a cool picture!
1 comment May 29th, 2007
Just uploaded my photos from the Avalanche Peak climb. It was hard to get some of the more awesome shots that I wanted, as the sun stubbornly hung aroung just above Mt Rolleston - making shots into the sun fruitless. If I had a ND Grad with me maybe I could have got the shot, but hey. Also, I really should know better than to leave my camera in P mode when handing it over to someone else to photo me - oh well.
In the photos you will probably spot the big green bird - this is the Kea, New Zealand’s slightly insane mountain Parrot. This is a rare bird (~5000 left) but 4 of them found me nearly 2000m up, and were all of a foot away from me. You need to keep a good eye on them, as they will eat destroy or steal anything - including rucksacks and cameras! Another of the worlds more amusing creatures.
Add comment May 29th, 2007
My walk went OK for the most part - I made it happily and a bit early to the top of Avalanche Peak - but the route down proved to be very icy. I made it maybe 50m away from the summit on the south side and decided that it was way too dangerous without crampons. 20 mins later I made it back to the summit and made my way down. The walk to the summit is awesome though - views of the Southern Alps, Glaciers and other alpine stuff. The summit ridge is very exposed - reminiscent of Striding Edge :-).
My new job has been delayed by 1 to 2 weeks, so I am now trying to find some temp work in Christchurch to occupy me - otherwise I may go up to Blenheim for Vine Pruning.
Anyway, photos and stuff tomorrow when I get to a cheaper net cafe……
Add comment May 28th, 2007
Currently sat in a bunkhouse on Arthurs Pass at about 970m - over 3000 feet!
I left Christchurch today and drove over to Arthurs Pass Village where tomorrow I will be doing a 2 day tramp - not sure which one yet as the DOC were closed when I got here. Looks like I will be able to get above the snow line tomorrow anyway - snow is down to 1800m already, and may fall as low as 1500m tomorrow.
With any luck I will return to Cristchurch on Sunday to meet back up with both Emma and Mat for a few beers. Otherwise I thank Mountain Rescue in advance, and promise I will bring crampons next time!
See you all later…
Add comment May 25th, 2007
Its been 6 months now, but I finally ended up in the vicinity of a slot racing track on race night. Went to the Christchurch club last night, where they were racing Int32 with 16D motors. Thanks to all the guys there who sorted me out cars and controller for the nights racing - enjoyed it a lot. The track is tighter than I am used to - like the old Fylde track. I managed to pick it up though and was not last in either set of racing :-).
I also got another job on the car sorted - a working radio. Simply went into a Ford garage and asked them for the code - which they happily provided free of charge. I like the trusting nature of New Zealand! In England it would have cost and I would have been required to provide proof of ownership I bet…..
Otherwise it looks like I will be leaving Christchurch soon to go back to Queenstown - just need to find someone to travel with and pick anywhere I might want to stop off at. If the weathers good I may go over to Aoraki Mount Cook for a day and see where I can hike to……
Add comment May 23rd, 2007
Still in Christchurch, but now sleeping in my car at a hostel - for the grand old rate of $10 a night. Hopefully this will get rid of the snorers and annoying fools that seem to be plauging me this trip. Plus It saves money. It also aids me justify buying an enormous car which eats fuel :-).
Wandered round Christchurch today, saw the museum and a few other bits and bobs. Not really an action packed day! Looking forward to getting back to work soon - I seem to e far more broke than I thought….. when I finally return to England it looks like I will have my work cut out to appease HSBC and my credit card, but hey thats life. Craig can take the mick out of me for once about money now!
Add comment May 22nd, 2007
Spending a few days in Christchurch while I wait for my new job to start. Drove up here on Sunday with a couple of random people - I went looking for people who needed lifts to Christchurch. The upshot of this is I split the fuel 3 ways and therefore am slightly less broke that I would otherwise be. Saw Twizel and the amazing blue of Lake Tekapo on the way up - also drove 400km before I saw a traffic light! Most of the way was 100kmh cruise control on and try to stay awake style. Not helped by 2 sleeping passengers!
No major plans while I am here aside from to catch up with a coupe of friends and have a good old browse round.
If I had my USB cable, I might have some more photos to show you, but I forgot as usual and it’ll have to wait untill I find a net cafe with a card reader or I get back to Queenstown.
I have started Geotagging my posts, and they appear on a map on my Map Page. Once I get this functioning to my liking I will write up how its done.
Add comment May 21st, 2007
Taken from a viewpoint over the Franz Josef Glacier, this photo shows the bush and the clouds - interesting view.
Part of quite a few new photos taken on my recent trips around the South Island - and finally uploaded to Flickr!
Add comment May 19th, 2007
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