What a day, probably one of the best days I’ve had in NZ to date.. Started at 7am (don’t all great days ;)…. no, but still, this one did. Glynn came over and we headed off snowboarding.

Weather was looking slightly iffy on the way, but as happened the last time, we emerged above the cloud into sunshine for the entire day

Now they say, as they always do, that day 3 is the day when you really get it. And it was totally true for us. Started off straight back onto the green slope (mini one)… falling quite a bit, but by the end of the day we’d taken the chair life (another new thing!) to the top of the field. So that was pretty damn exciting. Even if a skier (who are scum of the earth it’s true… like they own the mountain, when of course it’s snow boarders that really rule the slopes. Anyway, where was I.. – yes – this skier managed to get her skis locked over my board just as the chair lift was coming.. Still, all fun and games even if someone gets impaled.

Ok, so it wasn’t that bad, but seeing as we’re still only on green slopes have to liven it up somehow!

Then, after getting home, was just checking mail and.. Mum was online – on Microsoft Messanger from Uganda. Damn the internet really is cool sometimes.. if any of ye use it my username is patrickdavey@hot… but I never use the e-mail account.. way too much spam.

So yes, that was amazing to chat.. really great. Sounds like they’re having a great time over there, will totally have to visit sometime.

And then to wrap up an excellent day, headed out with a really amazing Scottish lass (Mhairi) who is going to completely kill me at squash tomorrow I am sure.

My first post from Home! So happy… installing the Router and ADSL was so easy.. was surprised.

And tomorrow morning heading off to snowboard in 110 cm of base and 30 cm of fresh powder. Taking the day off. Me happy.

Well, good week so far.. knee feeling a little better, though wussed out on squash.. Played Pool with Glynn instead. Can’t believe it, I get to play pool every day in work and he somehow sneaked a 7:5 victory. Not to be repeated ;)

Weather has turned quite a lot colder. Still, snow is mighty purty

Also, some exciting news.. will be heading to Auckland with work next week – for the TUANZ Innovation awards (more to follow). Basically it’s a black tie award ceremony, and an excuse for a few free cocktails.

On the negative side, my digital cameras LCD display has decided to become quite tempermental… and I so do not want to get a new camera.

Dear oh dear, knee a little sore after the snowcraft, probably should get to the phisio seeing as it’d be free under ACC anyway. Squash on Monday was probably a bad idea too ;)

Had a great night out on Tuesday though, caving friends – Andy and Kirsty were out as it was Kirsty’s Bday.. good times.

Went out to look at the perseids meteor shower, but only saw one shooting star.. wondering if they’re visible from this hemisphere..

Finally, a friend from Openet, Niamh was in town last night – great to see her, she’s just finished up a year in Australia and is on her way home.. She left today on the trans alpine railway – will be lovely.. then a bus tour for 2 weeks.

Might head and watch a snow boarding competition tomorrow over at Mount Hutt.. could be good.. and I’ve bought a computer too.. getting ADSL. Really settling in. Do wonder about residency sometimes.

Great weekend, though the weather could have been a little (lot) kinder. Went away on a snowcraft course. So we learned how to do ice-axe arrests (no, not apprehending thieves with an ice-axe ;) – learning how to stop your fall with an ice-axe. Also how to move with crampons, how the snow packs work (and therefore where to expect avalanches etc) How Bergschrunds form, cornices, wind loading etc. etc. Really interesting stuff.

And crazily cheap. For $50, we got transport, accommodation, food, gear use (helmet, crampons and ice-axe) and instruction. Doubt you’d get better than that anywhere really.

Saturday we went off and practiced the skills, went up to a ski-field and practiced off to the side of one of the slopes. (yes, we had permission). The slope we were to use had too much avalanche danger. That was the real problem with the weekend, there was WAY too much powder, so we couldn’t really practice too well, crampons are useless in thick powder..

Did have a nice sunset though :) Infact the place we were staying was great, it’s a field station for Canterbury University where they do research into biology, zoology, botany, geology etc. And it’s a very comfortable place to stay in too! Huge log fire. Great.

Then on Sunday we went on a hike to put the skills to use. Unfortunately, while the views were great (and there’s a movie here)..

..again, the snow was just too deep to really practice anything. Would have been better off getting boarding or something.. We did make an igloo though. Which was great fun. Very strong structure really, I stood on the roof and it supported my weight with no problem at all.

Finally, for those of you who’ve seen the film Vertical Limit, you might find this funny. I did :)