Changes

Elin and I have a few changes coming up. Two big changes to be specific:

1. We are having a baby in Jan (elin is now 20 weeks pregnant, the pictures of the scans are attached).


2. We are moving up to Auckland.
   

About a week after telling people in the Nelson Office (where I have been based for the last 3.5 years) I was told that there was no longer the work to keep me occupied. Tonkin & Taylor have been great and have organised to transfer me to the Auckland office. Elin and I had been thinking about moving to Auckland as there is more opportunity for work and also the support of my family for Elin.

Before that news came through I had a 6 week secondment planned to Auckland, so I am currently working out of the Auckland office now. The 6 week stint ends in 2 weeks, I'm then back in Nelson for a week, then back up here pretty well permanantly.

The work has been real interesting and very challenging. I'm pretty stoked about this as it will allow me to get registered with the next few years.

As for training Ive been doing loads of running. I'm currently having a pretty cruisey month however my plan is to bust out some old Lydiard style weeks. 100 miles. I've got to about 80 miles, so not too much further to go.

Coast to Coast

The very good people at http://www.sportzhub.com/ are putting together a 3 part video of the Longest Day, Coast to Coast.

Check it out here...http://www.sportzvibes.com/vibes/

Trev looks dashing in the add at the top of the screen. He has since told me he had to put a little effort in for photographers as he wasnt feeling so chipper (he obviously came right). & yes, I am putting my hands down my pants running through the boulders. I had my drink container in there.

Lees Creek

Some months ago my brother came down from the big smoke and we went tramping. We headed up a small valley Lees Creek, about 25min drive from St Arnaud up the Rainbow Road.

Magic spot.

Elin and I lining up.

Jack and I lining up.

Sensational.

Marlborough Rogaine

Trev and I had a good run around on Sunday at the Marlborough 6hr Rogaine.

The day started early 4.45 am. We arrived at the hash house 20km up the Awatere Valley behind Seddon at 7.30.

When we set off we were the only ones to go our route. That made us a little nervous. We didnt have the best start and realised that we should have planned our route a little different, approaching a high scoring control from a better angle.

The rest of the day went pretty well. Our nav wasnt real sharp, but we managed to sneak ahead of a few of the other teams to win. I think the 2 greatest contributors to that were our grunt over nav finesse approach, and Nathan Faavae being unlucky enough to pick 3 controls that were misplaced inhis route. After spending some time looking for them he'd had enough.

Highlights of the day were:

• Fog lifting to reveal an awesome day as we started,
• Coming across other rogainers while I was in full pursuit of a small herd of sheep (I was within a metre of catching the bastards!)
• Almost catching a turkey for dinner
• Seeing about 10 bulls panic and run through a fence
• Mooning a helicopter that was hovering at our level about 100m away
• Earning a pie for the ride home!

Rogaines are fun.

Belinda's Pilates business

A good friend of mine Belinda Wimmer has set up her own pilates business here in Nelson.
Belinda knows her stuff, having practiced and taught pilates for almost 10 years.

I'll wang her details up here when I can.

I was her model for some publiicty stuff shes having done...

dont think this one will be used, but I reckon its awesome.

Wal and Me

Funny story that goes with this photo. Better told with the spoken word though.

ps I want a hat like the one Wal is wearing. If anyones got an old legionaires hat like this I'll buy it.

Polar RS800CX Bike

I'm selling the Polar watch I won at Coast.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Cycling/Other/auction-220248043.htm

Almost glad Colombo St beckoned, Trev is having a little trouble getting the kayak that he won for second place. Seems the fella who sponsors his kayaks to the race keeps having them crashed into while they're on the roof of his wagon!??!
Something smells fishy (& its not my paddling gear this time).