Fun night on Wednesday.. it was a BBQ for Florians departure to Europe for the next four or five months.

It’s been great living here with him, he’s a very easy person to live with, even if he does do terrible things to Seamus

Still.. the tables will be turned I am sure!. Reckon we must have had one of the hottest days of the year to date, it was really warm. This place is going to be so great for parties in the summer.. can’t wait.

Then today, well worked for a bit – so many projects on the hop it’s getting.. well.. interesting and a tiny tiny bit stressful. Which is why I took off today, and will also take off tomorrow at 2:30pm to head to Kite Surfing lessons (damn it’s a hard life) I’ll make the time up though..

So yes, will miss Flo – he’s a great guy, best thing he ever said to me was when I was living with Jim over in Hoon Hay and I knew this place was coming free and that Flo was moving in – and he goes “Well, where do you want to live?”. Bit of a no-brainer really. This house, the friends that live here, and work – have all combined to make me extend my visa.. whether it’ll be enough to make me stay remains to be seen!

Beware.. philosophical patrick! The number of keys you have is pretty much proportional to how much you’ve settled into a place (let x = how much you’ve settled in, and y = .. ;) ehem, so yeah, I’ve been thinking over the last wee while whether I want to stay here or not. And I just can’t decide. There are many things I love about this place, really love. The South Island is beautiful. I’ve been here a year and yet I don’t really think I’ve touched the place. I can afford a car! I could even buy a house. I can go climbing and kayaking all over the place in the summer, and in the winter boarding and mountaineering (though haven’t got much of that going admittedly).

Work is going well, I could prob move into a more managemanty role if I want to try it out (am tempted), good bunch of friends, amazing house to live in (even if it is freezing in the winter).

So why leave? Good question, and that’s what I’ve been asking myself. Sure I miss friends in Dublin (though seriously guys.. just visit and you’ll never want to leave – well the climbers / outdoorsy people out there anyway! just need a few more to reach critical mass!) and family.. but I’m not sure if I want to live in Dublin, well kinda, but it’s just a little expensive methinks. Europe though I do miss a little, would be great to jet off to Sardinia / France / Spain / Italy with ease .. but if I’m not going to live in Dublin, then it’s still a real trip to head home and see family, in which case NZ is just a longer commute (and a bit more expensive – especially if Peak Oil is real..

So yes, can’t really decide, and quite enjoying not deciding. I have until July before my visa is going to expire, so I can go for residency before then if I want to.. might head traveling but get the returning residency before I leave.. quite tempting.

Well, a huge thank you to Declan who sent over a leprechaun. Which has taken up residence at last. First it showed the frog who was boss..

Which is only right and proper, as that frog certainly had a high opinion of itself! :) And after terrorising it a little more

They (Seamus and The Frog) settled down to a nice relaxing national tipple.

Seamus also sings an lovely song…

“When Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure ’tis like a morning spring,

In the lilt of Irish laughter,

You can hear the aaaanngels sing”

so thanks again Dec, owe you one big time buddy!

Pretty damn busy week really – well work wise anyway.. trying to build a pilot for a performance management system that may eventually go ministry wide. Not super easy, but great to have a challenge. Also offered the possibility to apply for a perm position.. hmmm, can’t say it’s not tempting.

My climbing is definitly getting better, still not sure if it’s back to where it was by the end of summer, but still, getting there. Had a fun night over at 429 Memorial Ave (Ye olde original house) when Glynn and Sam had a barbecue.

Lots of fun, can’t wait for the weather to get a little warmer. Hopefully by Wed as Florian and I are having a barbecue too for his leaving for Europe. Should be fun.

Friday night was fun, had a games night in work. After two hours I had to head to a party, and we weren’t quite finished the first game (Trivial Persuit).

Sat fairly lazy really, did head out to the beach at sumner with Warick (where I should be getting kite surfing soon) and went out in the surf and tried to roll. I failed miserably! Was a little scary I guess, big enough waves.. And pulling the spraydeck to get out wasn’t quite automatic.. it did pop off, but I gotta get better at that, has to be reflex. Then headed over to Lyttleton where we practiced rolling in one of the bays, and I got it there, and quite happy about it I was too.

Oh, and chatted with my friend Barry on Skype during the week too.. what a system :)

Just a few pics to compliment the text from Temple Basin – Courtesy of Dave Aubrey and Neil Hudson.

First pic is of Theresa Anthony and Neil.. this is no optical illusion.. it really was damn steep – I came down this on my heels edge on to the slope, and I still slid and bumped most of the way down it.. really was steep!

Next, well this one is of me heading into Bills Basin..

and then about half a minute later (I was actually resting here.. never fall me ;)