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Firstly… Billy Connollys World Tour of New Zealand is apparently being shown on BBC1 on Saturdays at 9:30pm. Next weeks show is of Greymouth, Christchurch, Arthurs Pass etc.. well worth watching (I imagine ;) I can only wonder!)

So the weekend, Saturday headed up Mt. Philistine. Here you can see a map of the area. It’s up in Arthurs Pass.

So yes, my first real mountaineering… I must admit, I’d kinda almost given up on it – don’t partic like the imminent death aspect of it all. This trip was very straightforward though. The only bad thing was we headed up through the bluffs (mini cliffs) by a … more technical (read incorrect) route.. And I did manage to get a black eye from a falling rock (yes mum I was wearing a helmet – it was just unlucky!)

Well, unlucky/good learning experience not to climb too close behind another climber when you’re on loose rock.

This pic is of Claudia, Jana and Mhairi (near to far) – with Mt. Philistine (1967m) in the background.

We didn’t need our crampons in the event, but the ice-axe came in useful. It was great to be hiking with Mhairi again – far too much energy – but it was put to good use as she kicked steps for us in the snow all the way to the top (and was rewarded with summiting first!)

She’s heading off travelling with her parents (arriving from Scotland) and then off to the N.Island, and will certainly be missed down in ChCh. If you can’t get enough of reading about trips in NZ then Mhairi has a blog here

But it was great being up there, I can see myself doing a little more of this sport…. And it was heaps of fun ‘bum sliding’ down the mountain. Much quicker too!.

so thanks (L->R) to Jana,Mhairi,Claudia & Jonno

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After that it was back to ChCh.. heading out to celebrate St. Andrews Day ( 2 days early) in The Celtic Arms. It was *kinda* funny.. I had no spare clothes after the trip, and it was going to be hassle to head home and change, so Jana very kindly lent me a pair of her jeans and a t-shirt.. So I was wearing girls clothes and had eyeshadow (ok, a black eye). It was most liberating ;)

So that pic Mhairi & I, the piper, and Gav (Mhairi’s brother – who’s off to OZ in a week). It was done well though, there was Haggis (which Gavin did the address to) And they even did a reasonable (ish-kinda-will-never-ever-be-as-good-as-home) pint of Guiness.

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At last! climbing outdoors again. Headed off on Friday night (Warick & Aroha, Michelle, Luke and I) up to Nelson (via a fun swim on the way up ;) And stayed that night with Joe and Andrea, friends of Michelles.

Next morn headed off to Paynes Ford – one of the two main sport climbing crags on the South Island. It’s quite nice limestone. Did 11 routes in total, led most of them – one 19, many 18s,17s and 16s. Good fun – this pic me on Hula Yula (19). Though I think I might have cheated.

But a great days climbing. We were really lucky with the weather.. it was supposed to be a bad weekend with a front coming up in, but the part of the S.Island we were in often seems to escape – and it did this time.

Sat eve went to The Mussel Inn for dinner. It was quite yum, and the 10% beer I was drinking went down well too. It had some pretty excellent signs too – I thought.

and

Sunday – headed off climbing at the sea cliffs, was great to be back climbing over the sea again. I definitly miss climbing at gola on the west coast of Ireland. Think that has to be one of my favourite places… even if it is all scary trad climbing!

This pic of Michelle on Woosh(18) I think.

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So yes, a great weekend, quite a long way to go – but some quality climbing, twas fun. So Thanks to: L->R (Joe,Aroha,Luke and Warick) (Andrea and Michelle) for a great time.. hopefully won’t be too long before the next trip!


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Damn I’m excited!! :) When I got here a year ago – one of the first trips I did was a canyoning one.. and most of the ppl on that trip had just come back from a rafting trip – which sounded just so cool. So, I asked if I could get on it next year (they run it every year).. and forgot about it.

Then a month ago I heard it was all booked up :( .. but yesterday I got a mail from the guy – Stewart – who’s organising it.. and a space has come free (the fool ;) You can read (if you want to) the .doc here. It’s a really cheap trip – as it’s run by friends for friends. $160 for 5 days of chilled out rafting in the wilderness(ish). Wow… can’t wait..

Also :) heading to Paynes Ford in about an hour with Warick, Aroha, Michelle and Luke (all denizons – for the moment – of 39 Fendalton!).

This weekend is going to rock

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Lovely morning this one – my friend Emma Towey was in town (engineering in TCD) she’s decided to stay on a little longer in NZ.. quite a little longer! it’s great. Anyway – we headed out on the river for a little paddle. This is a pic of me (in my new Kayak! isn’t it lovely!!)

Actually quite looking forward to the next few months really.. there are quite a lot of friends who will be dropping through ChCh.. college climbing friends, old primary school friends (yes more of those ;) and others – it’s going to be lots of fun!

Thought this was kinda funny – in a sad ish way…(click on gallery once you’re on the site) – it’s a little tempermental at the moment – prob getting too many hits

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Well! a proper weekend away to tell you about! been far too long (like 2 weeks or something ;)

firstly though – on Wednesday headed out for pints with friends – celebrating a year in ChCh.. incredible really to think that a year’s gone by.. hmmm, am tempted to get all philosophical, but I’ll refrain!

So – onto the Queen Charlotte Track and quite a lot of fun it was too.

There’s a map here



The ‘Xs’ are places we stayed the night.

Left on Thursday night we (Neil, Paul, Jenny, Anthony and I) – and stayed up close to Picton (where we got the boat out the next morning)

Bikes looking quite clean at this stage really. Nice 40 min spin out into the bay. Started at Ship Cove, which is where Cook hung out when he was on the S.Island. You can see why, it’s a good place. Good choice that man :)

The first day (each day was a leisurely 22->25km on the bike) was by far the most technical (well it was my first time). Was able to cycle most of it, some of the hills were too steep to cycle up – but most were ok. Mhairi had very very kindly lent me her bike while she was off doing another excellent mountaineering trip (though not quite my cuppa.. maybe when the serious snow is off it…) I didn’t trash it too much. I think ;)

AAAnyway – so yes, steep slopes, beautiful views

Though that pic had 3 power lines running through the view (hail to photoshop).. we were pretty lucky with the weather.. it was a lovely way to do the track I reckon – I mean some ppl do it in 1 or 2 days.. but for me – heading off at 11am, being cruisey about it all and just enjoying it was quite nice really. Sometimes it’s good to chill methinks.

So yes, stayed Friday night (bank holiday) at Camp Bay, had a swim, had a few beers.. all good. Totally enjoyed the walk home (all 7 mins of it) back in the dark.. if you’re ever there – there are glowworms on the embankment (lots of them) on the left handside as you walk from the pub to the campsite.. just so as you know.

Next day looked like it was going to be hell on toast from the cross section, but it was actually far easier than Friday.

There were a lot more hills (it was all up – or down – zero flat!) but the surface was easier so you could let go – well that and a bit more confidence I guess.

Paul and Neil were the experienced bikers in the group… and quite a lot faster they were too..



(Neil in front – Paul the smiling blur)

Though I guess that comes with practice. I must admit.. I’m kinda tempted to get into it.. but then it’s another $2000 to get a decent bike.. hmmmmm.. we’ll have to see… can’t do everything?! perhaps.



(Anthony in front – Jenny behind)

Anthony, Jenny and I were not quite so fast.. but sure twas all fun. Mind you.. it’s kinda hella impressive that Anthony is off doing a 60km mountain bike ride 3 weeks after falling down a mountain.

That evening stayed at Portage… and had a nice drink down by the lake (I went to order a handle (pint) but they only had jugs/glasses…. just my luck ;)

Then Sunday morning off to Anakiwa – again, a pretty cruisey ride out – and just as we got to the end, it started to rain – we were so lucky with the weather, it was supposed to be miserable all weekend! but nope :)

So – thanks to Neil for organising it all (shame he leaves NZ in 2 weeks..) – Paul (for speeding off at 10am on Sunday and getting the cars – one fit guy that one), Anthony for giving me faith in miracles! and Jenny – for giving us time to enjoy the views ;)

Where to next?