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.

Free Concert in Hagley park

So today is the free concert in Hagley park for all us Earthquake survivors!

And there is a bit of a crowd there - estimates will be around 120,000 .

I did notice tho that a lot of people were coming and going - I guess like me they turn up for a few hours and then disappear again.

Ron Mueck is amazing

WOW!  I have just been to the art gallery and viewed this amazing display of work from Ron Mueck.  The attention to detail is incredible and his presentation of skin, veins, facial expression is nothing short of magical.

Christchurch Art Gallery

Halswell Quarry Park

Today I got out and about - visiting Halswell Quarry Park.  This old quarry was responsible for most of the stone that was used in many Christchurch Buildings, but more particularly, the crushed rock has formed the base for most of Christchurchs' roads.  (Council info here)

Of most importance to me was that I was able to walk to the top of the quarry (yeah I know - no photo - duh!) without suffering pain in my Achilles.

My left Achilles tendon has been crippling me for about 5 months, despite treatment.

But it is finally coming right, thank goodness - just in time for summer exploration.

I also went to Southshore and did a bit of a walk around there.  And I decided to start a new project - just for the fun of it.  You can see what it is here - everydaypeople.wikispaces.com

The Background Photo

For anyone interested, the photo was taken at sunrise in Kaikoura, NZ, on 14th Jan 2010.

My first post is an old poem I found!

Poem written while working on the Lucille Ball Story movie set, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland 2002.

We were rushed into makeup and outfitting and then had to sit around for hours doing nothing.

Is it even a poem? I have no idea and I do not care - it may qualify as a rambling though.

-----------------------

Hurry up they said

Hurry up, move along, go faster

A push here, a prod there

A nod of the head.

Like cattle they moved,

A production line at full speed

Hurry up, time is short, move fast

As the dresses were dressed 

And the suits were suited.

Hurry up they said

They need you upstairs

The time for your wait

Is fast approaching.

All day we have waited

Worked 16 hours flat

The camera has seen us

But 10 minutes of that.

Hurry up they said

Boredom is looming

They tire, they stress, they quit

The film industry is booming.

Hurry up they said

Hurry up, hurry up and wait.