What a good sporting weekend

I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate the World Champion Kiwi league team on an outstanding performance in winning the 4 nations trophy. They should get a good bargain if they try to buy the Australian trophy cabinet - it is currently surplus to requirements.

Also to the All Blacks for their entertaining win against Scotland.
It must be remembered Scotland have recently beaten Australia (but then who hasn't) and Argentina twice in Argentina.

Also the NZ Cricket team for not embarrassing themselves so far against India.

And also I would like to thank Debs, Cam and Megan for letting me crash on their floor so I could watch the rugby (both codes) on sky on a decent screen - thanks guys.

OMG my feet hurt!!

On Saturday 13/11/2010 yours truly and 10 other intrepid souls went hiking to Mount Karetu, Canterbury 7472, New Zealand.

Who knew it existed, right?  Well anyway, it was a great walk.  only 28 C or maybe higher, no shade or shelter and bushflies everywhere.  Did I mention that it was a glorious clear sky with the sun streaming (read beating) down on us, and basically uphill from carpark to mountain top, then steep down with about 4km of sole biting gravel road?

The Christchurch Tramping Club blurb was :

Mt Keretu (about 970m) is nice social trampover open tops east from Okuku Pass to a tussock covered summit with views of the plains, Okuku headwaters and North Canterbury. There will be about 600-700m height gain.

AND IT WAS FUN.  But I was eager to finish the road walk and get back to the car.

I would rather walk the worst terrain than gravel road.

The walk up was about 3 hours, the return just over 2 1/2 hrs.

Sunday so it must be time for a beach visit!

And look what we found today.
Peter Donnelly is a local artist who makes these Sand Art sculptures almost every day.  I'm not sure if you can see it but at the base of the art work is the number 1074, so this is how many of these sculptures he has done.

I found a couple of other Youtube videos, but I asked him if he had a website and the answer is no.

Visit by my Sister, Valma.

So Val is in town for the week.  I took her out for a bit of a look around town and we wound up doing the walk up to the top of the cathedral tower.  164 steps in all, but stunning views over the area.

Rakaia River Valley Walk

Okay so first I have to acknowledge for Kylie that last night the Wallabies were too good for the All Blacks.  After 10 tests Shayne finally has to be on the recieving end of a bit of ribbing.  I feel for you mate.

So anyway, today I went for a decent walk up the Rakaia River Valley, about an hours drive from Christchurch up near Mount Hutt.  Having injured my Achilles months ago, this was really the first longish walk I have done since coming to Christchurch.

and it felt good!  All up it took 3 1/2 hours return from the carpark near the Rakaia Bridge to the Lookout.  the track was narrow in places but really quite okay.  My legs felt it though as the track goes from the water to the ridge and back a few times.  And in the too much information category, I did walk down to the water, stripped off and jumped - actually more like tentatively walked - into the water for a swim.  And it was cold, glacial water is not at a temp you want to hang around in and I didn't.  

Arthurs Pass Camping trip

Yesterday I drove to Arthurs Pass, which is one of three links from here to the West Coast, and certainly the main Christchurch - Greymouth highway.
I have to say the road is spectacular, with views at every corner and danger at every road edge - well some of them anyway!
So what did I do?
Castle Hill reserve was stunning, and there were a number of people making the most of the glorious day.
I then drove as far as Otira, just so I could drive over the Otira viaduct which is a great piece of engineering.  And I saw a few Kea as I stopped to take photos.

On return I stopped and walked to the Punchbowl Falls where I met another Kea.  Also check out the cool seats I found at the start of this walk - click here.

On Sunday night (it was a long weekend here) I camped at a free spot along the River.  It was fantastic, quiet, natural, no rubbish.  Loved it.  Sandflies, a camper snoring 20mtrs away, wind whistling the tent, possums and Keas making noise all night. Hated it!  But what the hell its all about the experience right??

Actually it was okay if a bit sleepless.

Castle Hill Limestone formations

Castle Hill

Waimakariri River Valley

How many years has this Kea tried to remove this plaque??

Otira Viaduct

Going down the other side to Otira

Pup tents are overrated - I upgraded to a 4P unit and love it.

Catching the last of the days rays over the river valley flats.

see if you can spot the train!

Time for a rant!!

The catalyst story

Okay so a bar owner kept serving a patron after he was drunk, then that patron got in his car, hit and killed a cyclist, and ran away just to compound it.

The bar had no Certificated bar manager in attendance at the time as it is legally required to do.  (click the link for the full story)

And what is the penalty for the bar?

A massive fine?

Loss of License?

NO.

The only penalty that appears to have been given is that the bar must close for 3 days.

And get this - the 3 days don't occur until November and they are a Tue/We/Thu span.

The thing that I am really pissed off about is the huge publicity around the "bad drinking culture" we have in NZ.

And with all the targetted advertising, the requirements for Managers Certificates and Licenses, the Liquor Licensing Authority has come across as a gutless, toothless wonder.

This is less than a slap on the wrist for a huge breach of license requirements and social responsibility.

I drink.  I like to drink.  I go to bars. I don't believe the drink/drive limits need changing.

What does need to be done is for existing laws and responsibilities to be enforced.

This bar should have been forced to shut immediately for at least 7 days.

Oh wait - they would have lost a weekend of trading, they would have had disruption to their business, they might have lost some food that was in the fridge.  

Should I get my violin out now??

So bloody what?!  

I know the bar owner did not kill the cyclist.

But if the bar owner had followed the rules, had been a responsible host and prevented the driver getting as drunk as he did, that cyclist would likely still be alive today.

Make the bar owner bay a heavy price - maybe then we will everyone taking the right kind of notice!

I'm stepping back down off my high horse now.