September is done and dusted. Friggin heck!!! 5 days till normality...

Now playing: Jody Wisternoff - August 2007 Way Out There

FINALLY, made it to Cape Kidnappers proper. Enjoyed the view of the Hawkes Bay on a truly stunning day and sat next to, literally, the Gannets that roost atop the Cape. The noise and mayhem the birds expel is quiet something. The ungainly way they stumble off the cliff and semi crash land into the nesting colony is amusingly entertaining. Once airbourne, they command the skies, circling and diving into the deep blue seas below. A must see....

Now playing: Matisyahu - King Without a Crown

Homeward bound in 9 days. Yipee kai a.......!

Now playing: Roz White - A Little More Love

Well it looks like my time here in the Hawkes Bay is coming to a close, The lights are dimming, the cats been put outside, the milk delivery suspended, the paper diverted, the moth balls distributed and the wind up begins. My life in the past few months has been somewhat chaotic and turbulent. Time for normality and a sense of homeyness needs to prevail. Looking forward to the next few weeks in getting ready to go to New Caledonia and finally making it home....YAY!!!

Now playing: Cristian Paduraru - Deep In Dub Theme

Saturday saw Ohakune smothered in thick misty cloud and intermittent periods of light rain scuffling between the buildings and trees. The mountain was hidden somewhere in the murk, the report for the slopes was all go, but the drive up the Turoa road seemed to show a different theme for the day. Arriving at Turoa base, the throngs of people were streaming onto the chair lifts and up into god knows what! As I grabbed all my rental gear and readied myself for a day of pain, the clouds split, the mountain unleashed all its beauty and the sun beat down hard on the thin base of snow. It was perfect! Although the snow seemed light, the snow machines and groomers had been working overtime to create a winter paradise for the masses. My success was lasting the day and wondering how the hell it was possible to ski the steep slopes at the top let alone the beginners slopes in which I spent the majority of my time picking myself up from. 4pm saw the close of the field and the curtains close on the mountain once again, as if it was in a play at the theatre. A truly magical experience and one I wish to partake in again soon.

Now playing: Pink Floyd - Sine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1 - 7)

Friday night in Ohakune, the precursor to the inevitable hangover in the morning!!! Cheers.

Now playing: Diversified Portfolio on WNUR Summer 2006 Live Mix with James Lauer

Now playing: James Lauer Lost In The Midwest Mix for Proton Radio (August 2007)