So – there’s a very cool kiwi bloke about to go off on travels – Jo Jagush. Not quite sure what his travels will entail – but I’m quite sure that it’ll be an excellent (and undocumented!) story.

Here’s a film of Jo dancing last night..

Actually – last night was great… besides a great leaving party – and seeing Michelle dressed up as a squid…

.. Maaike and I headed out to the Christchurch Polytech (where she works) exam restaurant. Basically it’s a silver service setup – staffed and chef’fed by students. Our waiter was quite a nervous 18 year old – but it was a very enjoyable time – and the food was delicious. I think regular visits will have to happen. I mean it’s only right to track their progress through the system! ;)

Finally.. here’s a sculpture outside of the Canterbury Museum.

Haven’t stretched my legs in quite a while – but that has been changing a little. Played squash (with Warick) for the first time in 4 years last week – loved it. (even if I lost!) ;)

Also, there’s the Taylors Mistake Rogaine Series happening again – very excited about that one too.

Anyways – this weekend it was off to Lake Mavis (Arthurs Pass) with Maaike, Berit and Amy. Here’s a map:

It’s part of the route that Shelly ran a couple of weeks ago during the Coast to Coast event.

So up the Mingha valley we walked, quite pretty beech forest and very very green!

There were some beautiful waterfalls (Kennedy’s)

And then we had to climb the 500m up to Lake Mavis. Basically about 4 minutes walk *before* you reach a well appointed hut – you turn your back on it and walk up hill for an hour and a half. Still – worth the effort we thought.

There were some purty alpine flowers out.

It was a pretty stunning place to park ones tent for the evening. We had to tie the guy ropes (sp?) around large rocks as the wind wasn’t the quietest it’s ever been. Still – beautiful light as the sun went down.

Not the deepest of nights sleep – as I kept feeling that the tent was about to be blown away (it wasn’t – and it probably wasn’t that terribly windy at all).. In the morning it was a bit foggy – which worked out quite nicely as it meant we didn’t fry in the sun on the way back again.

The decent back down from the lake was a little tricksy – well, you just had to find the right bit of scree to run down. Once we’d done that – it was plain sailing back to ChCh.

It was a lovely weekend – really great to get out and stretch the legs. Hopefully some more of that before heading to Europe – and then straight into the Snowboarding when we get back. Fun!

Congratulations (and good luck!) to Jayne and Glynn. Wow.

So on the 3rd of April Maaike and I head off to Europe. This is ‘cos Femke (Maaike’s sister) is getting married (Hurrah!)… I believe we’ve been invited – though the invite has yet to arrive ;) hehehe, ehem. Honestly – the Dutch have a good sense of humour – it’s ok to tease. Especially when you can moderate all the comments. Perfecto. I’m *loving* this new blog. **** blogger ;)

Anyways.. that map hopefully will change as the trip progresses. I’m loathe to use Google Maps – even if it is more powerful.

But in summary:

1. Leave NZ 1st April
2. Arrive Dublin 2nd April
3. Leave Ireland for The Netherlands 19th April
4. Leave The Netherlands for Norway (to see Guusje (yes, that is how they spell it – crazy I know))13th May
5. Leave Norway for London 18th May
6. Leave London to return to Aoteroa 21st May
7. Arrive 23rd (good old international dateline)

Will be trying to meet up with as many friends and family as possible – so if you’re reading this please keep these dates in mind (emails to follow!)

Two friends of Maaike’s from The Netherlands (Sander and Simone) came to NZ for a brief 4 week holiday. Now I realised some of you might be thinking ‘4 weeks is brief?!!‘ … but when you’re flying into ChCh, wanting to get down to Milford Sound and then up to Auckland (driving) 4 weeks really isn’t that long at all.

I am going to get round to putting up a tips-and-tricks page for NZ – but I suggest if you’ve got 4 weeks in NZ *don’t* try and see everything.. rather come for 6 and spend 4 on the South Island (if you like mountains) and 2 on the North (or vice-versa if you want more beachy stuff).

Speaking of mountains and coasts.. The wonderful Michelle McMillan (Shelly) was doing the coast to coast this year. It’s a one (or two) day event where you start on the West Coast of the South Island, and bike-run-kayak your way to Christchurch. Pretty savage really.

Maaike and I had been climbing (outside!! oooooo) and then headed over to Sumner to watch her come in. Must be quite the feeling to run over the finish line at last.

Next post will have details about the upcoming trip to Europe. Really can’t wait at this stage!