After a quick tidy up on the morning after the night before, it was off up to Arthurs Pass for some more snowboarding action. Cragieburn being the destination with Glynn, Jayne, Graham, Myra, Dave and Heidi.

It was the first introduction to nutcrackers for a few of them. They all did really well, Myra did have one pretty nasty scary fall (it’s quite icy spring conditions and often doesn’t soften up until the afternoon).. two skiiers were instantly over to help her.

Spent a very enjoyable evening in the Bealey Hotel.. an oldish? pub nestled in Arthurs Pass. It’s a great place to go – I really like the ambiance.. (note trying to use more sophisticated language ;).

I got chatting (as I do) to the owner (leaseholder) – Ted

He has been running it for five years, and in a months time will be handing it over to an English couple. I really really hope they have the same attitude towards stinky trampers and skiiers coming in. So a nice meal, a few jugs of beer, Glynn and Jayne had a game of pool.. Glynn was unquietly confident about winning.. pride cometh before a ??

For $20 we could stay in the accommodation there. Really great value when you consider the views from our bedrooms in the morning..

Finally time for the annual mulled wine and mince pie affair. I’ve been having these for about 8 years now I think. I think the next party will have to be a summer garden party, complete with boules, croquet, ladies in summer dresses, pimms (or just cocktails?) and cucumber sandwitches ;)

After enough wine, Vincent decided to see if he could wedge himself between my swiss ball and the top of the door. He could.

Amuri Ski Field (what is now known as Hanmer Ski Field) is a small club field about 30 minutes drive from Hanmer.

I think it’s run by a Swiss guy during the season – and the buildings are all beautifully made and kept. It was still pretty windy – but didn’t seem to make too much difference once you were a little way down from the summit.

For some reason Phil Meier (The #1 Swiss Freeskier – #7 in the world) was there. I suppose because of the Swiss connection. Either that or he’d heard I was going to be there and wanted to learn some tricks.

Finally a quick spin down to Acheron Accommodation House. Built in 1862-63 it provided shelter to travelers. It’s a ‘Cob House’ – which is made from mixing clay, cow dung tussock and water. I suppose when all the oil runs out these places will become popular again ;)

Long week – was so happy to make it to the weekend. Wednesday and Thursday in work I was filling in for the group of people who provide IT support for the general public who ring up and have problems with our site… Not something I am used to!

Anyways – the weekend… On Friday night headed up to Hanmer Springs with Matt (bloke wot I met up at Broken River a couple of weeks ago) and his friend Dale. Stopped off three times along the way. Once, at The Brew Moon.. a microbrewery I have passed countless times and have always wanted to check out. Well worth doing so.. can recommend ‘The Dark Side of the Moon‘, I think it was anyway.

Then, stopped off in The Hurunui Pub – an old (18somethinoroother) pub.. for another pint .. and finally in Cheviot – where, according to Dale there was a picture of the owners with The Fonz from Happy Days. Unfortunately the cafe had changed hands so no pictures to show. sigh. Out for a couple more pints (followed by some tequila chasers) and bed.

Woke up to the sound of muchos wind. And then the snowreport saying that Hanmer Skifield (Amuri) was closed. So off for a drive – to Maruia. The others hadn’t been there before. Seemed a little funny to drive an hour and a half further up the road to go to hotpools.. but still, it is a far nicer setting.

So, in the pools by 10am, polishing off the bottle of tequila.. We were even called ‘Yobs’ by a lady in the pool, but, she was joking (honestly) and even came to say sorry to me before she left!! hehe, I didn’t think I’d objected that strongly..

Mind you, when I got out of the pools I felt pretty damn toasted.. I think my alcohol tolerance (at least that imbibed in hot pools) isn’t as high as it used to be!.

Lazy evening, cooked an amazing dinner, and this time early bed for what promised to be a better day (weather wise) tomorrow.

Firstly a picture from last weekend – Emmas birthday. Excellent night – drinkin’ and carousin’ (and being taught how to tie a Windsor knot by Dave – as you do) until the wee hours.

It has been a funny old week, but a truly excellent time snowboarding (at last! – a weekend working is one too many in my book ;). This time back to Porter Heights with Glynn & Jayne, Graham & Myra…and… me ;) Great great day. Graham has been a real inspiration to board with – and pushes Glynn & I to improve – and try out new things.

This site has a lot of information on snowboarding stances. I tried out duck footed stance today, and really liked it. Basically it’s a symmetric stance – better for tricks & for trying to ride with either foot first (most ppl have one dominant foot).

I really was excited to try this new stance… also I really feel (for the first time) that I am ‘getting it’ (even just a little bit). I think it may actually help quite a lot with kayaking this summer. See when you’re playing on a river – a lot of it is about keeping your rail (your edge) at the correct angle so that the river doesn’t flip you over. Same thing snowboarding.. except with less water. Or something.

Ok, forget it – here’s a pretty picture taken from the top looking out across the ranges. Somewhere out there is Mt. Olympus. I am hoping to take a day off this week and get there with Michelle and maybe Myra … supposed to be an awesome field. I totally want to dress up in a toga with a strap on beard…