So, I’d been looking forward to this evening for ages and ages and ages and.. well, ages. When I was in University, way back in the mists of time, I met this quite eccentric (and horribly smart) bloke wot called Caoimhin (Kevin in English). He was studying Theoretical Physics – which is probably the hardest science course you can do in Trinity.

Anyway – had the best nights of music ever with him – we even commandeered the engineering building for a night of music… had to get about 6 sets of permission for that one (Junior & Senior Deans, Dean of Engineering, Dean of Something Else Important, Dean who has to be included on everything else)… Ah no, twas grand.

And he’s quite mad really – absailed out of the top of the front of college just for the fun of it… and, to keep Professor West interested in his exam sheet in 1st year, renamed all his maths variables names like Whiskey and Gin..

I – B(Whiskey))^-1 does not exist for any Whiskey ? Gin;

Excellent.

So yes, it was a really great night of music. My only disappointment was the really terrible organisation by this crowd. Apparently they did a terrible job of organising their tour. Ah well… next time (if we’re lucky enough to get a next time!).

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=5906622345504343451]

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-7377342974963952680]

And then out drinking until 3. Haven’t done that in a very long time.

Can’t remember the last time I was here. Ok, I looked back.. it was Tuesday April 6th, 2004. Wow.. I have been here a while. And not getting any younger.

You’d think I’d remember the tramp..

In this picture we went up and over and down a small hill – just to avoid a 1m wide stream. I’m sure in foul weather it is worth it – but not in summer!

The hike itself is a good one – certainly not a walk in the park. Ok.. it is a walk in Arthurs Pass national park.. but still… not an easy walk in the park.

So – off for the long weekend set Steve & Michelle, Myra & Graham, and Maaike and I. We were pretty blessed with the weather, only a little rain on the last day. It meant the various river crossings were grand, and the views better than the last time.

Bringing Steve along has it’s moments. Moments of greatness I mean ;) Well, of bugs and insects at least.

There was still quite a lot of snow about – which made things a tad interesting at times, as one never knew if it would hold. I gave this arch a thorough testing though.

The really quite scary part (only scary part) was up Tarn Col.. it’s a steep climb of about 120m or so. Now, on rock, this would be no worries.. but the top of the slope is covered in slippery ‘snowgrass’.. and it’s lethal stuff. Not a good place to slip with a heavy bag. In fact, quite a bad place to slip.

But no one slipped.

So it was fine :)

And then it was on to more magnificent scenery.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xkw8ip43Vk]

Honestly – getting away from ChCh next weekend – come hell or highwater. Or Earthquakes more likely I suppose. Funny really, living in a country that wants to tear itself apart.

Anyway – Saturday… croquet in the morning for me. Was *so* annoyed … not that anyone cares. Sigh. I’ll tell you the story anyway.. more ‘cos I will eventually get this printed out for my own amusement. So my opponent had a handicap, of two (quite low = good player) and I was playing nicely – right up until I tried to run the wrong hoop. Twice. And then lost composure (sigh) and the game (double sigh).

After that – off to friends Berit and Mickels flat warming party – and what a flat. Unbelievable view. There are 4 of them living in the flat.. for $575 a week. At current rates that’s 264 Euro (split 4 ways). Check out the view..

Really good party… interesting election results with a swing to the right. The National party are in now… not quite sure what that’s going to mean yet – I imagine my job is safe but sure we’ll see..

Next day drove on from Sumner to Lyttelton and had brekkie there in this lovely coffee house… They had some excellent artwork – including scary typewriters..

Then met up with the lovely Graham and Myra and took the ferry (interestingly part of the bus network!) to Diamond Harbour, and thence up the hill towards Mt. Herbert.. didn’t get all the way, but it was good to stretch the legs!

Slightly lazy weekend – well, not away for the night – not quite the same thing I suppose :)

On Saturday played Croquet (crushed my opponent, at 70 odd she didn’t have a chance). Actually, that’s not strictly true, I’ve been beaten by 80 year olds before ;) HOWEVER!! croquet is still an excellent excellent game, and one of the most vicious, tactical and skillful games I’ve ever played. So there.

After that it was out clothes shopping with Maaike. I would rather be out bounding over mountain tops, bashing my way through thick bush, or indeed chilling out with a nice bottle of wine in a hut somewhere in the exact middle of nowhere, but sometimes (once every three years or so) new clothes need to be bought. Clothes shopping is, however, one of Maaike’s favourite things to do. This was the first weekend I gave in though.. constant pestering gets to one eventually ;)

Still, there was something to look forward to in the evening – out to friends (Volker and Ivor’s) housewarming.

Sunday managed to get out of the city (woohoo) and up to Castle Hill. It’s a magic spot that I’m sure I’ve mentioned lots of times. According to the Dalai Lama it’s the Energy Centre of the universe. Certainly has a really good feeling, even if you don’t believe in energy centre’s…

It’s a funny place though, the boulders don’t always give you what you need to get up them. Well, not easily at any rate – sneaky no good two faced (well, multi faceted) boulders. Often with slopey holds (called… wait for it… slopers) at the top.

Here’s another of Michelle, this time improvising brilliantly (with the help of the ever gallant Steve) to reach the top.

So yes, all in all a really great day… will definitely be making a new trip up there soon I hope.