Bronwyn & Will’s wedding, and trying to get snowboarding

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So the lovely Bronwyn and Will were wed. Absolutely fun couple. I first met Bronwyn back 3 years ago when I answered an CUTC email looking to see if anyone wanted to try potter about on a glacier. We’ve been friends ever since.

happy_couple

The following weekend I went to go snowboarding with Shelly and Paul and Co. We got around about 2/3 of the way to Broken River when the alternator belt broke. Unfortunately we didn’t know it was only the alternator so ended up calling out the AA and not getting to the snow. All we would have had to have done was park on a hill ;)

Bad car (this time!)

Veronica & Charlie’s pre-wedding ceremony (And Broken River)

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Veronica (Sweedish) and Charlie (English) are to be married (or may actually be married now – as this is written *in the future*..oooooooh) this year.. and they had a pre-marriage test ceremony up in Arthur’s Pass – at the Cragieburn centre.

It was a great weekend, featuring a days skiing at Broken River.
View from Broken RiverRopetow at Broken River

Since I had been there last (too long ago) Broken River had retrofitted their cable car so that it could carry people. This saves you a good half-hour of steep uphill walking to get you to the field. Perfect.
Broken River Lift

It was Maaike’s first time on the infamous rope-tows.

Unfortunately it also happened to be Maaike’s first time getting whiplash. Coincidence – I think not.

The party however was excellent – here’s a picture of the bride and groom to be.

Charlie and Veronica

Kiwi’s also go in for fancy dress at the drop of a funnily shaped hat. The theme for this one was Sweedish-English-or-Swinglish. Great fun.

Ohau – Extreimear’s Birthday

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This weekend it was off to Ohau for Eimear (Extreimear!)’s 30th Birthday party. Ohau is, I think, my favourite ski field. It’s a small field down towards Mt. Cook. With completely stunning views out over Lake Ohau and excellent off-piste runs (with a little walking) it really is a great place to go. I am, of course, slightly biased, as I had my first ever powder-day there (and it was amazing!).
Powder!More Scenery

Eimear had rented out a Bach (kiwi holiday home) for dinner on the Saturday night. It was the most amazing Bach I’ve ever ever seen. Really beautifully furnished inside (the owner had turned most of the wood himself). I’m definitely planning on having a party there sometime. Called “The Red Barn” you can see details by clicking that link.

Extreamer's Party

The next day Extreamer got her first birthday present – which was a (double) paraglide flight out over the lake. Must have been simply incredible. She is lucky enough to have a friend who is rated to take these types of flights!

Paraglider at Lake Ohau

And a short video of them taking off.

Then it was on to boarding for the rest of the day. Great conditions – and we did a little hiking up the back of the field and found some reasonable snow for the descent! Fun.

Maaike and IMaaike running away

And finally – a short video of me trying not to fall over on the way down.

Packhorse Hut

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So, while Maaike was off on a girls only weekend I headed on a short walk to the Packhorse Hut with Steve, Mike and Heather.

The lovely packhorse hutView out over lyttelton. I think.

It’s great having a hut that you can stay in a short walk from the city. Obviously it’s a hugely popular one for families etc. (and busy) – so we brought tents to camp in.

Wine - and the edge of a smiling SteveHeather and Mike in the packhorse hut

The wine was tasty, cards were played – and it was a lovely evening.

On the way back we saw the Remarkable Dykes
Some remarkable dyke!

A pair of rock walls that form the boundaries of a crack in the side of the Lyttelton Volcano. The surrounding rock has since weathered away, leaving the parallel walls.

Newport – humerous musical interlude

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Unfortunately – this has now been removed. Leaving this up just in case EMI grow a sense of humour.

So instead I’ve added the contact juggling routine. You Tube have added the music back in !!! (woohoo) so I guess sometimes it works out for the best.