Xmas thanks

My memories of this Christmas will not fade. This one had it all: greetings, surprise, friends, family, celebrations, excitement, mystery and even snow. Returning to London after so long has made me think about many things. To everyone who made my holidays perfect, thank you.

36 hr epic

I finally made it to London, after a 36 hour epic (which included 11 hours of harassment in LA airport, and one lost bag). However, all's well that ends well, and having been reunited with the missing luggage, had some decent sleep, hosted a surprise birthday party for my mother, caught up with some great friends and some more sleep I feel ready for Christmas. Happy holidays chaps!

mommy nature

Another weekend in the boosom of mommy nature. People might start to talk... A day trip to the new Muller Hut in Aoraki. More of a half day really, but only if you take 6 a.m. on Saturday seriously. Blazing sunshine beating down on Tony and I once more. The rumble of avalanches on the Muller Glacier nearby, which, if you were lucky, you could actually see. Speed geography, much more exciting than the stuff I remember from school. There was a fair bit of snow too near the top, a welcome treat. Nothing at all serious, but great to see again. not so great was the trauma I was experiencing in my achilles, a side effect of the conflict between my boots and my foot. Not so great to prevent us from reaching the summit of Mt Olivier, or dancing the night away in Timaru (the cocktails did help), but I haven't worn shoes since.
Christmas is just around the corner. For all of you whom I will be seeing in London in the coming weeks: see you very soon; for all those I won't: have a great one won't you. I hope you all get just what you want, and a little bit extra too.

Clear the lungs

Every now and then you have to respond the the need the get out of town.. Clear the lungs. Clear the hear. Sometimes.
18 hours of tramping is one solution. A solution that is best administered under a clear blue sky. Destination Cameron Hut, Arrowsmith. A damp fine tramp up the river bank into the mountains, snowy peaks beckoning you on. The hut is right at the foot of a glacier, a welcome sight after 7 hours on your feet. From there, having ditched our packs we took a closer peek at the glacier. As the sun set the mountains covered themselves in a blanket of cloud which was shaken off before we rose at 6. The morning was spent ascending a col (2004m), and learning about crampons and axes, again under blindingly blue skies, before packing up and walking out. It is weekends like this that remind me of some very important things in life. If you want to know what I mean by that you will just have to get out there yourself. Thanks Tony, Mike and Lucy.