Now playing: Led Zepplin - Fool In The Rain

Now playing: Crazy Penis - Give It Up (Laid Instrumental Mix)

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)

It's a fond farewell to yet another month. Before you know it, 2007 will be done and dusted. SHIT!!!

Now playing: Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti - 02 - Bron Yr Aur

It's been seven years in the making, the bright white of the lunar surface is transformed into a blood red orb as the earth throws its shadow over the alien surface above. And so, the eclipse will lie dormant for another seven years until the perfect alignment of the orbiting spheres is re-enacted like so many times before.

Lake Rotoiti, slung on the north west realms of Lake Rotorua, deep in the belly of the Bay of Plenty. The second most popular lake in New Zealand after Lake Taupo, its shores are strung with baches and jetties, boat sheds and 50's era pleasure vessels. It reeks of older times. The weatherboard dwellings are plastered with old family photos and drawers and cupboards overflow with battered cutlery, chipped plates and thick rimmed glasses and cups. Each room has the obligatory bunk bed and chest of drawers. The lounge has a splattering of couches, recliners and foot stools, while the rounded cream coloured fridge rattles in the corner. This is what makes New Zealand soo kiwi. Other countries have temples and castles, we have baches. Whether they served for fishing, skiing, beach or any other multitude of uses, they all have the cosy, comfy, come in, wipe your feet and play scrabble in front of the heater atmosphere. Hooraa for having a true kiwi cultural icon to call ours.

Damn you Facebook!!!!!!!

It's been a crazy few weeks, from grief to elation to positively weird. All is well and the weather has been fantastic. It seems the world has been overrun with facebook mayhem. It seems all and sundry are hooked. I'm slowly falling as well. If only time were endless! Hope you're all well. Kia kaha!

Finally A is firmly slotted into G! It's been a hectic couple of weeks both work and life in general. We've been basking of late in warm sunny weather, making life a lot less stressful on the job site. It seems latly, life has consisted of work, sleep, eat, work, sleep.....and so on. Although the last week saw me in Auckland for the majority of it, attending the funeral of Megan's Grandmother. It was a beautiful service, and may she pass in peace. Apologies to those in Auckland for not dropping in or letting ya know I was about, I'd dedicated myself to being with Megan and her family. So as the dusk slides in on the Friday and the impending weekend around the corner, I wish you all well and hope life is treating you fondly. Pictures etc should be back to normality from now on. Cheers.

Hi all, apart from the rush job of getting at least something up in the air as far as a few pics go, I'm finally settled and ready to rock again! A little has transpired in the time I last threw some fonts to screen. So I am now in a place called Haumoana, sitting on the southern curve of the Hawkes Bay and a little south of Napier. Why? Work and maybe a realisation that I love NZ. The job is at Cape Kidnappers, a lodge sitting high above the bay and commanding the presence in which it oozes. Tethered to one of the top 10 golf courses outside of the states, it's quite a place to sit and ponder.....well......anything. I assure you, when the cloud rises and the rain decides to dry up, pics will be forth coming. Anyway, life is fantastic and heading in an exciting direction. YEEHAA.

Happy 21st bro. Sorry ya'll, will be back soon with update of haps.

Early morning sees us watching the early Air New Zealand 767 bound for Auckland, taxi for take off. The sun is just poking its nose over The Sleeping Giant and life is kicked back into action as a new day dawns. My chance to see Fiji and its beauty from the skies aboard a Cessna 172 is about to begin. We take off and head south, were the sky is grey and watery. Hugging the coast at 500ft, we look for clear weather ahead, allowing us a passage to Kadavu resting off the south coast of Viti Levu. Without any blue visible through the murk, we turn about and follow the white line of the sea crashing onto the reef along the south-west coast.

Northward we set a course for the Mamanuca Group, nestled between the mainland and The Yasawas. Spotted with many of the popular Fiji resorts, the reef and islands create a mosaic of aquas, golden yellows and lush greens. The island above, Monuriki, was used in the film castaway. With no inhabitants, it beholds a true desert island feel.

Thanks Euin (Shemonkey) and Gerome for the opportunity to tag along with you guys.
Cheers.

Nadi 12:55pm 28°C Humid

Ow, my head hurts! And no, it wasn't from the all you can drink alcohol on South Sea Island, although that did contribute I'm sure. It was an inconspicuously low door. Well not that inconspicuous when the sign above the door stated, 'Mind Your Head'. I obviously didn't mind! Not even Ow!!!

South Sea Island 10:15am 21°C Sunny

Nadi 11:11pm 22°C Calm

Vuda Point.

Happy Birthday to Ralph, keeping the kiwi contingent alive and well in Turkey town. The big three three has come. Hope you had a good one man. I saluted a cool Fiji Gold in your honour. Cheers fella.

Nadi 10:00pm 22°C Cool

Today saw The Flying Fijians take on Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup in Lautoka. The game saw the lead change once with Japan taking a storming early advantage in the first half leading 15 - 6. The pep talk in the Fiji shed saw the boys muster the courage and energy to go over the line four times in the second half and take a commanding 30 - 15 win at full time. To take in the achievement, we thought it necessary to celebrate with a few jugs at the local sports club and enjoy the afternoon on the sprawling lawn under the warm and diluting light of the sun. Well done to the Fiji boys and all the best to the Fiji Seven's team as they try to keep the Cup over in London and Scotland.

Nadi 7:26pm 25°C Clear

Fiji Islands 5:12pm 28°C Sunny

The days have become dry, the skies are blue and cloudless, the nights are cool, clear and refreshing. The sun has invigorated me somewhat. Long gone are the dreary grey days with persistent precipitants always on the verge. The wet season has gone and now we sink deep into the moisture lessness. Fabulicious!

Nadi 9:27pm 23°C Clear