The Mosaic

And here is the famous creator himself - look how Marcus, Claire and CJ are enthralled! He is actually holding THE paint brush that was used to paint ALL the tiles!!!

The Wonders of Geraldine

A rainy Sunday and I just HAD to take the team to see the World Largest Jumper and Mosaic - see earlier post The Bayeux Tapestry They were simply speechless! L to R Claire, Marcus, CJ and me

Well a girl needs wheels

Decided I needed a small run-around so picked up this little model. Notice the BIG winch at the front - dying to get it out for a real run in the hills. Great news is it's big enough for all of us and the gear and will go anywhere

Here at last

So although I have arrived at last to start to learn to be a ski teacher - after one week we all decided to give horse riding ago - I was definitely the novice, showing all my skills by managing to fall off Taffy. It gave everyone else a laugh though. We trekked around Springfield making it to just above the Waimak gorge. The course is going well, and learning loads and already planning where I may go to spend next Northern Hemisphere Ski season.

Shopping NZ Style

Who says I missed M&S simply Food, this fine emporium has everything I would ever need, and all in the convenience of a corner shop!

Chruch of the Good Sheperd Lake Tepako

We stopped at this church on the way home, it's very old - 1935 - and in an amazing setting. Also on the way home we stopped at the Worlds largest jumper exhibit in Geraldine - the man who owns this is amazing(!) and he is also the proud creator of the Bayeux Tapestry made from the cogs from knitting machines, see the connection there? A real character - I'll leave it to you to decide in what way!

Mount Cook

A short walk in the cold afternoon to look at NZ big mountain, only a baby compered to Mont Blanc - but according to my brother the best looking mountain around, "well it looks like a proper mountain" whatever that means!

Puzzle World

This has to be the best $10 spent, Puzzling World in Wanaka. The day was freezing, but we managed to stay warm and spent 3 hours here!

Bungy

On the way back to our luxury abode in Wanaka we stopped at the original AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge. Unfortunatley it was closed so I had to do a bit of free style....

Checking out the latest ski fashions

Looking at this splendid outfit in Queenstown I think I have got my skiing wardrobe all wrong!

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is right by Queenstown on the River Arrow which grew up from the Gold Rush. This is seen as a very historical town, but as with nearly everything in NZ this means about 150 years old at the most.

Wanaka & Queenstown

We left the coast and made our way inland to Wanaka where we lucked out on the accomadation - amazing! Alpine Resort . This photo was taken in Cordrona - a ski resort base village, and in case you were wondering how I was getting around this is my new car!

Homeward bound

Then a long walk down back to the rain forest

Get me out of here

Probably not the most flattering picture but shows you how we had to get out of this hole!

Cravass

This was great as we climbed down the cravass then had to crawl through a tunnel to get out the other side. The ice was so smooth and you could see deep into it.

Quick Stop for lunch

After about an hour and a half we stopped for our lunch. Although it looks as though we are sat on rocks, we are in fact on the glacier - this section being covered by rock debris. If you look in the distance to the left of the rock debris as it goes up the glacier you will see some dots which are people - that gives you an idea of the size of this thing.

On the Ice

Climbing Up

Crampons

Then we had to put our spikes on at the foot of the glacier to give us grip on the ice - note my puzzled experssion, I'm really not sure!

Ready to go

It started of very tame with a stroll through the rain forest to the terminal of the glacier - note the smashing blue jacket courtesy of the guiding company

Franz Joseph Glacier

We travelled over Arthurs pass to the west coast through some cloud, but as we approached the Tasman Sea the sun came out. We arrived in Franz Joseph Village just as it was going dark, but were up early the next morning to climb The Franz Joseph Glacier. This is amazing as it rolls down to almost sea level through a rain forset! This picture does't really show you how big it is as it is so steep.

Snow in Springfield

We were supposed to be setting off on our travels around the South Island today but the entire island was brought to a standstill by the snow so we tooka little trip out to Springfield to see the snow

Hagley Park Christchurch

So you've had the responsible picture - this is the real me after a walk through Hagely Park. Simon liked this sculpture so I had to ruin his photo

Auntie Sarah

Here we are in NZ this is my nephew James in his new smart top that Julie picked for him - well she has a better idea than me!

Watermark

Here you can see how high the water got by the mark on the reception wall

Flood Damage Sheffield - not so HOT

Whilst I have been enjoying myself in Cornwall, getting ready to travel the world my old office was right in the middle of hte flood disaster that hit Yorkshire on the 26th June. Adam, my old boss sent me some photos - the devistation is amazing, this was my old desk (when I was there!) The floor is covered in mud, all the files are destoyed along with all the office PC's and server, I bet it smells bad too. Luckily everyone was safe

Mad road signs

Couldn't resist!

Especially for Stuart

Stuart - this is called a Banksia! and it's so sweet it drips with nectar!

Sydney from North Head

I arrived in Manly and walked to the beach to check out the surf - I know some people will be happy to know it was pretty crap here - choppy and the wind was from the land (on or off shore I can never remember) It was fun to watch a few people try to have surf lessons. However the water was really warm, but I think the local residents thought anyone who went near the beach in such cold temperatures was mad (only 75 degrees). From the beach I then hiked to North Head which stands right at the entrance to Sydney Harbour, and from there took in the amazing views of the city. I only managed to get lost once when I ended up practically in a sewerage farm - nice! It was only as I was leaving the park that I noticed the notices telling me about the dangerous bite-y things and instructions on how to remove ticks eeeuuugh, mind you when a place is this beautiful I guess there has to be some downsides. From there a quick trip to Oceanworld where the best thing was seeing a Sydney Funnel Web spider which is the most poisonous spider in Oz!

Off to the Beach

Sea Cat to Manly this morning - still sunny, but much more windy.

Opera House

Love this shot, is was still really warm, and hard to believe it was mid winter. I like the way the harbour bridge is thowing shadows onto the opera house.

Another picture of Bridge

Believe me if you think this is too many pictures of the bridge, I did take many more! This was as the sun set on my first day in Sydney

This one is for Avian

Sydney in the background on my way back down. Thanks to Ave for the pose, especially for moments like this!

Blinkey Bill

Don't ask, this is the name for the red aircraft warning light right at the top, yes I made it, and yes it is bloody high. We had perfect weather though and we could see from Manly to Bondi Beach and to the Blue Mountains in-land

Bangkok and Sydney

At last I arrived in Sydney after an hour delay at Heathrow, a plane with no entertainment facilities, a one hour stop in Bangkok and an upgrade to club on the Bangkok-Sydney leg - result. Arrived at 6am and had the best shower of my life at Sydney airport then dumped bags at the hotel Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel and went to climb the bridge

Jumping for joy as it's my last day!

A quick walk in the park then off to the airport!