As the summery weather carries well on into the Autumnal abyse, the season of festivals slowly draws to a close. The Phoenix Festival held in Basque Park, a somewhat underutilised field of green deep in the heart of Auckland town, is one of the last remaining on the calender. SJD kicked the arvo off with a rip roaring set that pleased the crowd no end with the highly energised band of brothers, Kora, wrapping the evening up with their awesome drum and bassness. Long live the Summer of 2008!!!

Now playing: Hercules & Love Affair - Athene

Oi! Have got myself set back up to some sort of normality, settled comfortably into my new abode and loving being in the Kingsland hood once more. It feels soooo home. So, pictures will be more forth coming now that I'm a little more grounded and have the ability to take time out to peruse the openess of my surroundings. And please, listen to the track below, it's dreamy. Found it in a mix by Jody Wisternoff at hybridized!

Now playing: Kimouts - Down to Earth (mesmerisingly beautiful)

Now playing: Alpha - With (Underdog remix)

Sunny Summer Sunday. It's sooooo brill!!!

Now playing: Funky Lowlives - Sail Into The Sun

Today saw the arrival of the A1 GP entourage into the often quiet town of Taupo. The closest thing NZ will get to Formula 1 and these things are quite the spectacle. Never mind the bleeding ears from the screaming motors, Johnnie Reid, came in first in the sprint and fourth in the main event later in the day.

Now playing: Quincy Conserve - Aire Of Good Feeling (Kiwi 60's goodness)

A second visit to the gannet colony on the tip of Cape Kidnappers was a must as the first journey via the overland farm track was before the young chicks were born. This jaunt was taken via the gargantuan cliffs that rise up to 800ft above the beach. Truly, the most spectacular vertical landforms I've encountered in New Zealand. The gannets again were masters in the sky and the waiting balls of cotton wool perched on the precipices and rocky outcrops were intriguing to sight and inquisitively alert, for shortly they would be taking the leap of faith and hoping their outstretched wings would firstly save them from the fall and secondly get them to Australia. Sadly, 70 - 80% never make the return journey home to foster their young. A must visit.

Kai Iwi Lakes, Northland. Primo!

Now playing: Ady Zehnpfennig - Easter Afternoon

Now playing: The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance (Crookers Wow Mix)

Primo weather, beautiful blue water, the Summer is unleashing itself upon us with full vigor. Hooray. The day and tide saw the prime opportunity to launch the fizz boat and skate across the harbour to Saddle Island, that covers the entry to the Mahurangi. The marine vehicles were abundant with many towing skiers, sea biscuits and the like, criss crossing each others paths and creating a many happy face. C'mon 2008!!!

Now playing: The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance (Hervé Remix)

Welcome 2008, the year of cheeky!

Now playing: Lou Stafford - When The Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along

Well.....it's that same old cliche, where has the year gone, and again it's true. A hectic year comes to a close, as fast as it descends into the time line of history, 2008 springs out in all it's youth and gives us the opportunity to refresh our resolutions and relish in excitement of what is to come. Happy New Year everyone, be safe, take care and massif hugs to you all.

Now playing: Ray Charles - Don't Put All Your Dreams In One Basket

Clark Island, Whangamata. The clouds folded over the ranges and down across the coast late in the day casting ever changing shadows over the landscape. The weather is sublime and the sea has a welcoming warmth. The summer is truly giving its all. I guess New Years will be the true tester!

Now playing: Sarah Vaughan - East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon (Sophisticated Mix)

Boxing Day Cricket at Eden Park. New Zealand vs. Bangladesh. NZ, finally, having a comfortable win after a very lack luster season so far. Fingers crossed for the forthcoming tour by England!

Merry Christmas to you all, where ever you may have enjoyed the spirit of giving and lolly eating and may the holiday season bring you plenty of well earned rest.

Now playing: Louis Prima - Just A Gigolo

Singapore Metro, 2003.

Santa Claus is coming..........soon!

Now playing: Nick Warren - Live at Lush

Florence, Italy, 2002.

Now playing: Future Sound of Tokyo - What Im Talking About

Mt Sinai, Egypt, 2003.

Now playing: Fragile State - Panacea (Jimpster Remix)

Paris Metro, 2003.

Now playing: Zimpala - Pas meme le cri d'un oiseau (Jimpster house mix)

Canary Wharf, London 2003

Summer has finally blessed us with a sprinkling of watery essence from the skies. After seven odd weeks of sun, blistering hot sun, sun that melts the stone chip through thick thick oozing tar, rendering all life null and void out of the once grassy paddocks and parching the earth, bleaching the scape a desert like yellow. A small lapse in the meteorological system has bathed the thirsty environs in a liquidy layer of life juice. A liquid that brings a healthy glow back to the undulating hills and mountainous ranges in the distance. One that will expire soon and the lapse will once again go back from whence it came. A belated welcome to the first month of the summer season and impending Christmas craziness.

And on a separate note, the last few weeks have seen a great many genres tickle my eardrum skins, and one that's stuck out at the moment is Zimpala. Gorgeous.

Now playing: Kurt Maloo - The Captain Of Her Heart

Now playing: Baron - Decade

Now playing: Matthew Dear - False

Now playing: Trail of Dead - Will You Smile Again

Rated 27th in the world and in the top 10 outside of the United States, I have finally circumnavigated the Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, with the weather perfect and slight warm sea breeze blowing in, playing golf or not doesn't really matter when all you want to do is bathe in such a spectacularly stunning place. This place is a must visit. Check out the course as well as the lodge which opened last week. Chur!!!

Now playing: Paul van Dyk - White Lies (Feat. Jessica Sutta) :o)

Now playing: Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

After a crazy number of days of fabulicious weather, the horizon looked grim late afternoon, with an imminent liquid downpour ready to pounce! But alas, the morning dawned to clear skies and another scorcher. Good weather does exist in this fair land, just not in Auckland! Haha. Not that I can laugh, I will be home sooner that not.

Now playing: Shapeshifter - New Day Come

Now playing: Luther Vandross - Never Too Much

Now playing: Robert Plant - Thru' With The Two Step

Noumea.

Now playing: Timo Maas - Hash Driven

I see there are some cheap deals going at Club Med - Noumea at the moment!!!

Now playing: Corey Hart - Sunglasses At Night

Now playing: Groove Armada - Lovebox Weekender

Prey tell me who decided to give us the 9 to 5 working day, and then decided it was worth celebrating, giving me the chance to drink myself stupid 3 days in a row to make me feel as munted as I am now? Whoever it is......shame on you!

Now playing: Roisin Murphy - Crybaby

New Caledonia, put simply...... sublime! The Ile de Pins is defiantly the jewel of the Pacific. Quite unlike anything I've experienced before. The sand can only be described like flour in shade and texture, the water warm and translucent as if it had just fallen from the tropical skies and the aquatic life is.....friggin unbelievable. I am still flabbergasted and excited that there are still places on earth that are still true and 'almost' untouched by mans sticky fingers.

Now playing: DJ Tiesto - In Search Of Sunrise 6 Ibiza