So, this weekend, it was off to Cragieburn for my friend Veronica’s 30th. It was a really great party. Practically everyone brought bikes up and we had a good blitz down one of the tracks in the Cragieburn range.

I have been slightly terrified of doing any tracks there since, I think, Dave Aubrey scared me with tales of doing over the handlebars into tree trunks. Of course that tale would have been in the context of How much fun it all was… but anyway.. a little scared.

Maaike has been endless trouble since I actually managed to keep up with the group… I suspect more biking will be happening (and this is, actually, a good thing!).

Did try to get everyone lined up as best we could into a big rainbow…

Easter here already. Where does the year go? And why did I forget Pancake Tuesday? Why? Why is my Easter Egg still unopened? So many questions.

Anyway – headed up to Steve’s property in the Waiarapa. Better known as the back of the back of beyond. And a little further. It’s quite the drive up there, but it is a scenic one.

Quite a long drive up to Ekatahuna? AND stupidly we’d all forgotten that, being Good Friday, that there were no bottle stores (off licenses) open. Irritation, coupled with admiration that there is one day a year when it’s impossible (or at least hard) to buy alcohol.

Steve’s place was pretty cool though – I have no idea of the the hectarage, but it seemed big to me. Quite the undertaking though – not sure I could (or would) want the responsibility. Something closer to ChCh, perhaps. With a gardener.

Anyway – here’s a short video starting in the wee hut Steve & Michelle built (last Easter)

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=6209838635513154765]

Played a few games of Happy Families, tried to shoot goats (failed), shot a block of wood (slightly less accurately than Maaike), saw Stick insects, showered outside (quite effective things camp showers)

There was also a Fridge (read slightly dammed river). Which was perfect for keeping things cool enough – even beer too! And a picture of the alarm. Burglars beware!

One of the jobs we helped out with, was ripping up a section of fencing for where Steve is going to plant trees.

But all in all it was a great holiday – though I think next time I would prefer to fly! I think there’s big kudos to buying land and making it work for you – and grabbing some carbon out of the atmosphere too…!

Well, not going to write anything – but here are some pictures from Glynn and Jayne’s wedding. All pictures were taken by my friend (and wedding photographer) Michelle McMillan, and are put here with her kind permission.

Amazing fun. See if you can spot anything… cute but unusual in the picture of Domhnall and Jill.

Firstly – yet another picture of the tree in the houses’ courtyard. I *love* this tree.

So yes, Dave Aubrey was in town, here to visit the lovely Maria.. the hope was, that having Maria here would entice Dave back. Unfortunately it seems the opposite has happened.

Had a really fun time orienteering up at Castle Hill on Sunday.. It was a pretty tricksy map as it was literally boulders everywhere. Fortunately I had a secret weapon – in the form of a 10?! year old boy who I realised was doing the same course as me.. so, while I obviously didn’t just follow him… I did… how would you say.. double check that I was going in the right direction. Perfectly acceptable.

And crushed Maaike’s (all girls) team by 50 minutes or something. Crushed. Destroye… heh… kidding. Possibly proving that women can’t read maps? ;) hehehe, ehem… think I will have to turn comments off on this one ;) Hehehe.

Mind you – speaking of getting lost.. Maaike, Steve, Michelle and I have been doing a midweek rogaine series – and with daylight savings, and Steve in the North Island, and a Southerly coming through tomorrow night.. it could be a disaster. Or fun. More likely a disaster though.

Well, hope ya’ll have a fun Easter.. I’ll be shooting goats on the North Island… more to come..

Winter beckons with a large index finger. While there is something to be said for conserving energy by heating less and simply wearing a jumper, sometimes it is nice to not be completely frozen going to bed (and wearing a hat).

If you’re very very lucky, I’ll put up a picture of my mid-winter bedroom attire. Maybe it’s time for a pop-survey. Maybe it’s time I moved to wordpress. Maybe pigs can fly. Who knows? It’s a big multiverse out there.

Anyways – yes, made the most of last weekend with a wee picnic in the park. Park of Maaike’s Christmas present.

Mind you, today I discovered the Mediterranean Food Warehouse, and that really was a find. Dangerous place. Good place. Yummy place. Expensiveish place. Emporium of Italian Ice-Cream. mmmmmm.

Other than that, buying a new computer, not rreeeaaallllly needed. At all, but sure what the hey.. what with the end of the world coming best to enjoy it while we can eh? (no I have no idea when that’s coming – but it sounded sinister and exciting). Oh – and need to get ski-passes too, and hoping to go up to Auckland to see Cirque du Soleil in July.