So I’d been looking forward for aaaages to visiting my cousin Thomas up in Palmerston North with his family. Thomas has been working to get cluster munitions banned by coordinating NGO’s. Very exciting (and demanding work)… so when I get the chance to see him and his lovely wife Paula I jump at it.

There is a darker side to our re-unions. From a youngish age (say 7) we’ve been reasonably competitive with each other. I think it was when I saw him in Geneva that we conceived of the Scrabble championship – whereby we play a game and the victor has bragging rights until the next meeting.

The last time I was up in Palmy I beat Thomas. Paula decided that as we took it so seriously we should have a championship cup… she bought it and had ‘Scrabble Champion’ engraved on it. It was a beautiful day when it arrived by post to my house.

So it was with a light heart tinged with a small amount of trepidation that I arrived into palmy to be collected at the airport. The day was spent catching up – and then that evening we had our game. Two pics – left before – right after…

It was a good game – even if I came second. Thomas amassed 460 to my 304. I was sad to see (my) cup go.. but was happy to get over 300 points… 460 is just ridiculous. I shall have to do some intensive training before meeting again at Christmas.

The rest of the weekend (once my tears had dried) was spent having happy family times – it was lovely to see my cousins growing up… and I suppose it does make me – admit? – that I am missing my nieces and nephews growing up back in Dublin – and the US. Why doesn’t everyone just move here? They know it makes sense!

Friday night was out with the social club from work. Free wine. The plan was to get a little inebriated. Which was exactly what happened. Didn’t help that my (Irish) friend from work Francis knew the bar owner…

So Saturday was pretty much a write off… haven’t had that in a very long time. Did go out to see No Country For Old Men. Really was good.

Sunday out climbing with Mark and then croquet afterwards. Came second. Out of two. Good game though – make some silly mistakes (trying to be too clever/evil).

Off to Palmerston North on Friday to see my cousin and family – can’t wait.

I suppose it’s the season that’s in it.. but quite a lot of my friends back home are getting engaged & married – and some of them are even starting families. Very exciting! And of course my own nieces and nephews aren’t getting any smaller. Damn them. My friends Emma and Jennifer got married last year, and this year Stella and my cousin Beth … And one does feel like one is missing out sometimes! Just a little.

Mind you – a couple of weeks ago as I mentioned I was at my friends Thor & Jess’ wedding. It was a really lovely day and I felt so honoured really, to be invited.. Did make me feel like I do have a life here (that will be hard to give up – IF I do go that way – which I am not planning on (mum))

Photo courtesy of Anna Williams (thanks!)

So yes… it really is so hard to decide sometimes… I suppose if you don’t make a decision then that really is one in it’s own right. I love the quality of life here – and the relaxedness to the place. The access to the outdoors is pretty unbeatable too. Decisions decisions.

Oh – and according to this article in BBC News.. a kiss every night is the secret to keeping love alive (from a couple celebrating their 80th valentines night)

For the day that’s in it, and for the cynics out there.. Here is a link to a pretty funny (in my opinion) article written in the guardian on the concept of having an UnValentines Day…

Really wanted to get out and stretch the legs again this weekend.. In fact I’d quite like to get out and about a lot more this year. My back is still a bit of a pain ;) it does stiffen up quite a bit after a tramp – but doesn’t seem to annoy me too much during – and from what I’ve heard it’s better to exercise a back rather than otherwise.

Anyway – a nice lazy start (about 10:30) and off up to Arthurs Pass. Avalanche peak goes from about 760m up to 1833m. It’s a pretty steep track – but once you get out of the bush the views are spectacular.

It was great on the top – there was very little wind and it was great just relaxing in the sunshine and chatting with Michelle (Shelly). It was kinda funny – Shelly is another pretty fit friend – well into her running etc… and we’d stopped for about 3 mins and she started putting on her rucksack again… and I was like ‘where are you going? What’s the rush? ;)’.. she soon came round. Actually I was really impressed with her ‘cos she’d badly sprained (thought it was broken – cast ‘n everythink) her wrist – and was then hopping about on boulders and running down scree slopes. Mad kiwi.

Shellys friend Howie came and met us half way up the main scree run down (you descend about 550m down a scree slope… lots of fun) and carried her backpack the rest of the way… decent bloke that!

Met some interesting people in the hut – one of them a kiwi programmer called Liam has been travelling back from Europe overland – with his laptop! He did a few hours (like 5) a week of programming and that pretty much paid his way. I need to get better at this programming lark and get into that!!

Anyway – wet walk out today (weather turned).. slightly suffering from a cold so really looking forward to an early nights sleep. Fun weekend though..