On the way back we walked (scrambled really) up a hill (Mt. Amos).. It was pretty steep in places and would have been savage in the rain.. At times it was more like a really easy rock climbing route. The view from the top was stunning though – out over Wineglass Bay.

On the way back the others (yes, I am a wuss – and not a massive fan of cold water, except when I’m crazy, which happens rarely) went for a swim (at honeymoon bay! – not sure how much of a honeymoon it would have been with this lot about! ;)…

There was also an insane amount of Scrabble played on the trip – I’d say we averaged about 2 games a day! This next picture is of Glynn’s only?!? time starting the game… and what a lovely open start he gave. On another of the games I had to pass on my first turn as I think I had something like QXJRNVC. Lovely letters, one at a time..

Also had a little time around Hobart.. Glynn was in seventh heaven (anyone know why there are 7 of them?!) in the beer shop. The book I am holding up is a New Zealand one where distilling is legal. It’s not legal to distil in OZ.. it is however, legal to sell all of the equipment and literature to distil – as our lovely shop assistant explained :)

Had a great trip to Tasmania. Glynn flew via ChCh so we met in the airport. It was great getting to spend some one on one time with him since he has been spirited away to Wellington ;)

I think the best thing about college for me was definitely the friends I made.. most of what I learned (crammed ;) in lectures has gone – but the good friends remain (how cheesy is this post? ick – sorry will try to be good from now on).

So… met up with Domhnall (and the very lovely Gill) in Hobart – the capital of Tasmania.

It is a funny old place Hobart – not particularly unlike ChCh really – similar population size and access to the Great Outdoors.. Domhnall and Gill have, literally at the end of their driveway, a mountain bike track.. no wonder they’re fit!

An odd picture of a dog outside a coffee shop..

The first adventure was off to a place called Freycinet. It was about a 5 hour drive through some nice scenery to some sea cliffs where we climbed and hiked for a couple of days.. Domhnall has some nice pics on his new website www.dreapadoir.com.

It was so great to be out climbing on Real Rock again.. gyms are fine – but sea cliffs.. there’s a feeling.. Eating cheese and crackers on a simple rug over sandy ground after a long days climbing and a glass of wine or three… all good.

mind you, getting up the next morning can be fun.

Having a great time in Tasmania – though slightly looking forward to being back in New Zealand with my 3L of duty free allowance. Yes, 3L. And up to 5 bottels of port/sherry etc..

Have been climbing and hiking – so lots of pics of those to come. Anyway – yesterday had a very informal picture taking competition… my (new) compact up against the heavyweights of the digital SLR world. So… three pics below, feel free to vote (once only please) for your favourite.

Door Number One

Door Number Two

Door Number Three

So… just in case you didn’t know some clever scientists are turning on a Big Machine in CERN today (depending on your timezone).

They may make (small) Black Holes…

They also made this video

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50ZssEojtM]

This may well be, my last blog post. Lucky escape I guess.

If not – my friend Nick is now on blogger.. worth a look.

It’s a funny old place 39 Fendalton Road… there are a pretty odd bunch living here – and yes, I suppose I do count myself in that category :) Happily really.

Anyway – Had the mulled wine & mince pie party on Friday night which was a great success… unfortunately was too busy filling glasses & heating pies to remember that I should have been taking pictures :) Sigh. Anyway… onto Saturday night… which was organised by Val – one of the denizens of 39… (Flat 5 I think – and the one in the middle of this picture…

The older lady behind Val is Mrs. Bennett – our landlady. She is – oh.. 84 ish I think… and really lovely. The only bad thing about living here (besides the cold).. is that I wonder if I will ever find such a great bunch of people to live with in a massive rambling house with a river and a big garden for cheap rent! One thinks not.

Anyway – just in case you thought I’d not put up any embarrassing pictures of myself.. Here’s me – and Steve & Michelle. Aren’t they a beautiful couple ;)

Then today Steve took me up Foggy Peak (1741m).. It’s not super high – but it was pretty icy on the way up – so it was my first foray into ice-axe and crampons in a while.. Mountaineering is … well.. it’s OK as long as you don’t make any mistakes. And then you need to be quick to rescue yourself (depending on conditions..) As once you get up momentum sliding down a hill it can be a quick trip to a long fall.. Foggy Peak however is a doddle.. really – anyone reading this could do it :)

There was a nice view from the top – and we met about 5 other people out for a walk..

Finally… this picture is of Steve holding up his glove..

The reason for this picture is that Steve dropped his glove about 20m down from the summit – and this is where he finally found it on the way back down (well, a slight diversion to check if it was there!). That’s a long long slide for a glove. Imagine how fast you’d be going if you didn’t stop yourself if you slipped? ;)