ianbee: this is instead of getting a dog

Snowboarding by helicopter

I'm a bit busy here at the moment, so I thought I'd clear out the left-over New Zealand photos. Particularly the ones with the, um, helicopter in. Did I mention the helicopter? I've always wanted to go heli-snowboarding, and this year I saved my pennies and joined a trip to the Harris mountains where I spent a day being lifted onto precarious ridges covered in pristine powder.

 

 

 

I now have massive carbon-guilt. I'll need to get a worm-farm or something to make up for my extravagant day of selfish aviation-fuel saturated pleasure. But at least I have some great photos, and even better memories!

The un-Haka

After a week of leaving the house everyday for work at six am (see photo above), it's great to have the whole weekend off. Yesterday I went to see the All Blacks play Australia at the Olympic stadium.

I really didn't care who won, but the lead changed hands three times in the last few minutes, which is always exciting! When the All Blacks were two points behind, a very drunk Australian behind me shouted out "Have you got a haka for looooooosing? Is it called ... (he clearly hadn't thought this through) ... um ... the un-haka? Show us your un-haka!" At which point the All Blacks kicked a penalty and sealed the match.

In the face of an increasingly grubby flat I have decided to get in a cleaner to help with the chores. The child labour laws are pretty relaxed in Australia. Small hands can clean in all the tight spaces between the cupboards.

 

Electric Light

Saw this in a museum yesterday. Made me smile. I like the idea that people would try and 'light' electric bulbs with matches.

 

I reckon electric light does affect soundness of sleep if you leave it on.

Esto Fortis Principissa

I needed a get-well-soon gift for a friend who works in the penguin and bandicoot conservation industry. Who better to ask for help than my favourite Scottish heraldic artist?

I bet those two previous sentences have never been written down before, ever! I had some help with the motto, "Toughen Up Princess", from the web's best Latin geeks. As always, a picture is worth a thousand words ...

For the curious the blazon is "set for crest a bandicoot rampant holding a fire poi in its dexter paw, with the shield - on a bend sinister a fairy penguin sejant". There you go.

We're having trouble with a gang of squirrels ...

I was fondly remembering Trigger Happy TV at the weekend. Genius! Have you got a favourite scene? Here's some of mine ...

Squirrels

Badger

Maze

Ransom

More lovely New Zealand photos

The skier got in the way - I didn't mind. It's called foreground.

This was in the Harris Mountains. Snowboarding in powder snow is like floating in candyfloss. It hadn't snowed in two weeks, so the snow was as dry as a bone and totally fluffy.

I'm not sure if this is a good photo or not. It isn't a lake you'd want to swim in; it's pretty cold and just out of shot is the hydroelectric power station inlet.

It took me ages to drive anywhere because I kept having to pull over to look at these views. I can't believe how good the weather was!

New Zealand 2009

Coronet Peak, in Queenstown. The reward for all the snowchain action.

The mountains in the distance are called the Remarkables. They truly are.

A Canadian guy I snowboarded with in Ohau. It's not really a ski resort - there's only one lift! But the views are clearly worthwhile. And the lodge by the lake was warm, comfy and served Caol Ila whisky in the bar.

Mount Hutt, viewed from Methven before breakfast. And a dog called Nala.

Penguin hospital

I will let my photos from the penguin respite center in Christchurch speak for themselves. Penguin physiotherapy! Blue socks! Pingu! Needless to say, I loved it. But first you'll need to know their names ...

If I was faced with a gang consisting of Bagpipes, Roxy, Austin and Half-Pint I would be convinced I was in a Tarantino film.