So yesterday was spent at the track again and then off to Aunty Fran's 50th.

 

It was great to see nearly all the Chapman's in one place again and a lovely evening was had.

 

Happy Birthday Fran!

 

Just photos, I can't be bothered writing anything. Went to Jerry and Joy's with Dad.

 

 

 

So 2 O'Clock came and the power returned. It was quite relaxing to sit looking at the bush and catch up on follow up calls for stuff I have been working on. So the time up there definitely wasn't a loss. Sam and I got a bit of time laughing our ass of at people that didn't really believe that the power was out when they walked in.

 

As the Hick town that is Arthurs Pass only fuel pump, didn't accept Amex, I'd decided that I would put 5 litres of fuel in and play fuel roulette on my way to Sheffield. And the hum of the CBD that is Arthurs came to life as the latte's poured out to the tourists. I grabbed my take-away coffee, had a quick laugh with Sam about my chances of making it and set off. I had enough fuel (according to the computer) to do 42km and I only had 96km to cover through the Alps. So, with only odds of 2:1 against me, I figured I was a dead certainty to achieve and speedy economy run. Which for me, meant keeping it under 120kph and above 100kph on average. Assuming no trucks, no roadworks I was quids in. Mmmmm, no cellphone coverage either for the entire route. I don't think the person I was following appreciated the draughting I was doing, so I passed them on the straight and set off. Roadworks, stop start traffic a couple of times, bloody trucks, it wasn't looking good as the light came on at Castle Hill. Sam suggested that I hang a right and take the dirt road passed Lake Coleridge and through to Terrace Downs as it was the direct route. But even I'm not that lucky, so I decided to risk the remaining 23km from that turnoff to Sheffield. I made it with about a litre to spare. And these clowns didn't take Amex either.

 

I filled up anyway and headed to Timaru via Rakaia Gorge, the foot of Mt Hutt, (I found Peel Forest, private joke) and through Geraldine.

 

Did some work and went and caught up for dinner with Matt & Paula and got to meet Dwight (2 months old). A good meal and a chat.

 

Off to Christchurch today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I spent last night being entertained by Julia, Alex and Sam. A great Pizza for dinner. Julia and Nik were both running around playing with each other. Julia speaking Portuguese, Nik speaking German, didn't seem to slow down the fun being had by either of them.

 

I woke this morning to light drizzle and a great view of the National Park from my bed.

 

And just as I had breakfast the power went out up here. So I am stranded here until the power comes back on, so I can fill my car and get on my way to the coast.

 

And the Power cut is the talk of the town.

So I spent today visiting customers and coal mines on the West Coast. Once done there, I decided to follow the rail route via Lake Brunner up to Arthurs Pass and stay with Sam and Alex for the night. Stop in at Arthurs when you pass through. Great food and coffee.

 

I was looking for a climb and Sam suggested the Punchbowl Falls, it is a 1 hour return walk according to the sign. It took me just under 7 minutes to get up there. It would be a very nice stroll. So you can even find training stairs in the bush!

 

Settling in for a few beers, catch up on e-mails and have a meal (probably with Alex as Sam is working).

 

So today was spent driving from Christchurch to Reefton via the Lewis Pass to attend Donnie's funeral. Thankfully a beautiful greeted us as there wasn't a venue big enough to house the guests indoors.

 

A massive turnout of Mines Personnel, NZ Rugby League, in excess of 60 Firemen and an equal number of Mines Rescue Brigadesmen, plus half of Reefton were in attendance.

 

He was a truly outstanding guy. This poem was read during the service and I just thougth I'd share it.

 

 

The Dash
copyright 1996 Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth... and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars....the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile... remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash... would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash?

So, Mum, Eilish, Elise and I drove out to Piha to walk up to the waterfalls on our day off.

 

It was a lovely day for a stroll in the bush (forest as Elise called it), she walked the entire half hour route up the big hills and down again. Mum found an old birds nest which kept her interested for about 10 seconds, before heading off up the path.

 

She wasn't overly keen on me wading through the stream to get to the rocks at the waterfall base. There is a lovely pool which a young girl and her Dad were splashing about it. They said it wasn't the warmest. We had a quick bite to eat in the sun and I carried Elise back in the backpack (halfway) until she asked to get down again. She trotted off again exploring. We spotted a couple of Kereru (wood pigeon) and as we had another food stop in an opening a couple of Tui swung in chasing insects. From there to swing from a tree and then back to an old burnt and hollowed out stump.

 

Into the car and home for her sleep drive.

 

31000km hit today in the Passat.

 

Have to go and do a tender response now. Keep well

Well, Im flat out down here in New Plymouth right now. Where is this recession everyone is talking about?

 

I shot down to the Fire Station to look for somewhere to climb stairs. It was agreed it would be easiest to use the Hotel I am in. So Monday night was 12 ascents of a 4 floor hotel in 9min50sec. Yesterday I managed 16 times in 12min58sec.

 

Off to have breakfast and kick off another mad day.

 

Have fun!

So I have finally got back into climbing the stairs again, my back is feeling a lot better. Sunday I went into the Devonport and wanted to do 6 ascents, but was dehydrated and got the stitch on my 4th ascent. I pulled the pin, 12m20s.

 

Yesterday, I went to do some work down here as customers are calling (and again this morning), then for Elise's sleep drive and off to the beach for some play and Boogie boarding. Elise is having a great time down there. I'm sure we'll have her into the bigger waves soon. From there it was off to the Devonport for another climb. 6 this time, 18m27s. I'm pretty happy with that. One more today and I think Molly and I will go home tomorrow.  I will attempt to get into the Skytower and do some training once a week.

 

Enjoy the photos. Keep well.

 

So yesterday was a pretty relaxing one. It started with a massage down at the hot pools to see if I could get moving a little better. It looks like I've pinched a nerve. So I just need to stretch it out a bit and harden up.

 

From there, I came home, took Molly for a walk and then went to Blake Park to watch the Bay Engineers Provincial 7's tournament. Titch is the GM at Bay Eng and was out spotting talent for the NZ 7's team. Badger, Dave and Anna showed up and we sat around on the bank and in the beer tent watching some excellent Rugby. The weather was great until the Final 3 games and then it poured! Thankfully we had shelter in the tent. Counties won it in the end (2nd time in 2 years).

 

That's about all, other than that, I'm just enjoying my coffees and the great weather.

OK, so I decided to have a lash donned and started at the Devonport Tower today. I had 280bar in my 6.8l cylinder. I managed 65 floors in 22 minutes 34 seconds and on the air I had. So I'm pretty happy with that. Then after having a shower I have managed to put my back out and am in pain. So a couple of panadeine and a Stella to ease me into it. I'll have to see if I can find Dunnie's missus and get her to use me as her acupuncture guinea pig.

 

Outside of that, there are some photos of Carol and Elise cleaning Herbie, some shots of the Mount. A beautiful 31 degrees today.

 

Let's hope I can walk tomorrow ;)

That is all really.

 

I wish everyone a prosperous 2009 and that we are all healthy and happy.

 

Ciao