Summer has just about arrived – and one morning Mark was eating breakfast outside the front door unaware that his every move was being watched.

Oh yes, watched. He went off to get his bag before leaving the house – and then I heard a shout (and a crash). As soon as he had left a duck had made a break for our kitchen through the open door.

It got into a flap, hit the window, poo’d on the floor and then ran outside…

It then lurked outside – staking out the house for a further 30 mins.

We’re planning on leaving a trail of breadcrumbs right into the oven….

Then on Friday evening it was Dom & Vals flat warming. They moved into 39 Fendalton about a month ago but have finally had the house warming. It was Elvis themed. Also found out that the whole duck thing was most likely because they have started feeding them in their kitchen! Amazing how quickly behavior can be learned.

I went out shopping at the second hand stores and managed to pick up a 1/2 decent outfit. Even wore it in work (it was casual Friday). I think 1/2 the people there thought I was being serious. Oh dear.. my dress sense really must be awful if that’s the case.

Sat and Sun – got some mountain biking done and a couple of barbecues.. finally off to the beach to watch the fireworks (which were excellent). They don’t really celebrate Halloween so much over here – it’s all Guy Fawkes (or mostly about that)

No prizes for guessing though

Beware, philosophical Patrick in the e-house.

A while ago I was chatting with my landlady (80 years old and still as sharp as a pin) and ended up lending her a compilation of my grandfathers letters that my Aunt had put together. After reading it she lent me a book called ‘Other Mens Flowers’. The book is a compilation of poetry from a field Marshall (A P Wavell) in the second world war. She thought it was a book my grandfather would have enjoyed – and indeed he had many copies of this book at home. Well worth a look if you get the chance. There are a few old favourites I’d not read in a long time – one from primary school (which I’ll put in later)

This one – Leisure, I came across a few weeks ago and it is slightly pertinent at the moment. You see, I am on a fixed term contract with the Ministry – which is due to expire in a months time. It’ll get extended (to the best of my knowledge)… but it was a time for reflection as I am thinking of moving to a permanent position (if one becomes available) and I am really tempted to move to a 4 day week!. Crazy? I don’t think so – I’ve got quite a few friends over here who do 4 days. I don’t particularly need the extra cash – no mortgage and no dependents! However.. a 3 day weekend every week… now that could be good. So we’ll see… we’ll see.

But enough ramblings – enjoy the poem…

W. H. Davies

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep and cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

At last! The Project Management course finished with it was time to make the most of the long weekend. The weather for the weekend had been looking dire earlier in the week (gale force winds & rain).. but by Friday evening things had improved. Mostly.

So headed up on Saturday evening with Stephen and Volker – two friends from the tramping club. The plan was to bike in to some hot pools on the Hope River (up in Lewis pass). The rivers on the way up were *huge*.. but fortunately they come up and go down very quickly in NZ – so by the time we started the next day they weren’t going to be a problem. Or not too much. Rivers are one of (if not the) biggest killers in the NZ outdoors.

Next two pictures of Volker..

Now, the title of this post was mountain b-walking… as to be honest the first 3 hours or so was more walking than biking. Zoom for 20m, then off to move over some fallen trees!

On the other side of the river is farm land – with a 4wd track.. we kinda took that on the way back (which we shouldn’t have really.. but anyway)

After about 6 or 7 hours we finally made it to our hut for the night. Lovely old place though no fireplace as DOC had taken it out a few months ago (dangerous) The log book in the hut is full of instructions on how to find the hot pools..

It was completely worth the trip though! While the hot pools were a little scungy (black squishy stuff to sit on though – quite comfortable!) they were super hot – and we had the place to ourselves.

It took a little while to relax into them after Steve had reminded us that the reason the hot pools are here is because of the trans-alpine fault line. There are tree-records of all the trees getting flattened ever 250 years or so. It has been over 300 or something since the last major earthquake. We’re expecting a magnitude 9. So if I live here I will get to experience it (though may well be the last thing I do!). Apparently it needs to move about 8m left and 2m up!. Dear oh dear. Still, makes for excellent hot pools.

Woke up incredibly stiff and sore! My back loosened up over the course of the day though.. really wish it was feeling better! Had hoped by now it would be.. but sure we’ll see. Have started in a gym doing strengthening exercises with my physio Kelly (who is off to compete in the world ultimate Frisbee championships in Perth in a few months time!).. so we’ll see.

That pic of me crossing back over the swing bridges. Those things are fun at the best of time – even more so when you have to keep both hands on the bike!

Other exciting news.. My friend Laura arrives for 3 weeks of travel around the S.Island in a months time and I just got a mail from my friend Marcel who is coming (back to NZ) for a holiday for 3 weeks starting the end of January. He’s a great guy and I am looking forward to getting out on a few trips with him.

After 4 or 5 Leffe Brune (so good) on Friday evening after the exam – it was time to bus up to Palmerston North. Thomas picked me up at the bus – so good to see him & Paula (his lovely wife) again. They were visiting my Aunt (his mum) and family up in Palmy. It was simply perfect timing that the course was on this weekend!

Now, onto the important details.. I have regained the scrabble crown – Paula says she is going to have a trophy made up. Good job too. I did have the luck this time – managing to pick up both blanks and get Harried (for 75 points or something) down.. (all letters out).

They have flown over to New York as Thomas is presenting to the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions this week. I do have plans to help save the world too… but more on that in a wee while..

It was also my cousin James’ birthday. He had an awesome dinosaur cake which his dad put together. Most impressive.

Finally it was time to come back down to ChCh. Feeling quite energised after the last week – though it has been a long one..

Now – who can see what’s interesting about the coke can?