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James' Trip Down Under.

Here is the latest news from our Antipodean Reporter.

1st Report:-

Hi All
 
Well it is about 2pm on the 19th as I write this having been squatting in the scenic environs of LAX waiting for the check in to open for the flight to Auckland. Through the offices of somebody vaguely connected to the Nz Rugby side I have managed to wangle a way into the VIP lounge and they have, yes, an internet connection from which I am writing this screed (as well as free food, beer, showers (which I need), hotncold running women) . Sadly the memory card slot seems to have been bunged up so I cannot add some scenic photographs.
 
Well, where to start? The flight from London to Dublin was late - there is a suprise I here you ask. After wandering the inner labyrinths and managing to pass US customs at Dublin airport (are you intent on overthrowing the government?) I boarded the rather empty flight to a rather cold Chicago - there was only one problem which came apparent as I stood on my lonesome at the reclaimed baggage - the rucksack hadn't arrived with me - it was still in Dublin. At least Aer Lingus actually knew where the bag was unlike the poor soul standing next to me - they didn't have a clue where his luggage was. So it would be arriving at 4pm the next day - hold on says I - I have a 2Pm train journey to San Francisco - ok we'll send it on said Aer Lingus.....hmmm..
 
A quick trip down to Chicago Union Station - can I pick the luggage up at Denver?  - no;  came the reply -  what about anywhere on route I am on my only pair of underpants and they are beginning to stick? no way. So a rejig on the cards. Cancelled the original trip for the alternate of a direct train to Los Angeles and an extra night in Chicago which was welcome actually. Chicago is great. I mean that. Bloody cold but for those shopaholics amongst you - State Avenue. More consumer stores than your wallet can stand.
 
As for the train trip - well Amtrak beds are bloody hard and an insistence by the drivers to hoot for every level crossing between means that sleep is a premium. There were about 1000 between Chicago and LA. So, in all around 6hrs sleep had for two nights. Plus, these trains are not very quick. It took 6hrs to cross bloody Kansas - and Dorothy was wrong - there is a better alternative than that home  - what a flat, boring piece of earth.....
 
Will add more in the next few days including a few pics I hope.
 
yeghes da
 
James.

2nd Report:-

Wellywood Backpackers Hostel, Wellington.

Well, it is warmer here than in Chicago that is for sure. A hell of a lot warmer. As a result I have now taken on the shade of pink so beloved by Brits when seeing the sun for the first time; especially around the legs after a session snoozing in the sun on a beach here in Wellington. Perhaps LÓreal should package some sort of cream so that we can slop it over ourselves and save the hassle of actually travelling - I can see it now:

"new from LÓreal Paris, instant sunburn cream to make your friends think you have been holidaying in the Bahamas. Turns a milky brown after 2 days! (If symptoms persist - see a doctor)".

The reason for the diversion to Wellington at the start of the tour around NZ is for one simple purpose. Internet Grooming. Yes you read it right. I was "groomed" by these two strange men who offered tickets to a rugby game and copious amounts of beer in return for buying the occasional round ($50 - where did WE drink again?) and singing various renditions of Eskimo Nell. Mission accomplished and one reason for spending the day (recovery) in the sunshine.  It was a  S14 game at the Stadium here in Wellington between the Hurricanes and the Reds (an Australian team based in Queensland). The Hurricanes won, although their performance was more of a inspid breeze as opposed to the brute force that the name is supposed to conjour up. There are various differences to the  way the game is observed in the UK(parts of) and here in NZ - one is that the crowds are a hell of a lot more raucous - including horror of horrors booing the opposition kicker -  what WOULD Bill McClaren say? and also the Dancing Girls are classier as well - anyone who has seen "Albions Angels" would surely agree that that is not hard.

Wellington is for those who do not know the capital city of New Zealand situated on the backside of the North Island with ferry links across the sound to the South Island. Population is around 400,000 strung out of the city to the south and along the coastal areas, as topography plays a large part in the shaping of the city and its surrounds. It is rather like an English Provincial City, albeit one flavoured with every type of language as it is a favourite spot for backpackers to start, finish or give up. It is very civilised, the main strip for night life being Courtney Place which is where we ended up last night after starting in a pub called the Backbencher opposite the parliament building; inside which there are a series of cartoons and puppets of a spitting image variety of various politicians. Well worth a visit but do NOT drink the Guinness - rancid.

As I basically spent the first day asleep here (catching up with the jet lag), and today on the beach doing the same I haven't had a good look around the city and its attractions yet - I will be coming back in the next month or so God Willing, to do that. Photographs are coming, I have new digital camera toy and am trying it out at the minute; only have to find a computer which allows me to stick the card in as these ones in the hostel are free but only allow basic internet access and no I will not be posting incriminating ones which could find their way onto various rugby websites either......

Tomorrow - more trains! The Overlander to Auckland (07:30 start) and then onto the backpacker bus for the visit to the North Cape and the Bay of Islands. It is forecast to rain - but things are a bit parched here so it is needed.

Now, where was that sunburn cream.........?

yeghes da

J.

3rd Report:-

Pahia, The Bay of Islands, Friday (I think).
 
So far on these travels I have managed to lose 2 sets of prescription glasses and my passport. The latter was reclaimed, one set of the former are at a BnB in Auckland and the other set of the former are Lord alone knows where, so I am squinting at the screen as I type this. Apologies for the spelling.
 
Northwards to Cape Reinga, 90 mile beach with a base in Pahia a small town which is the backpacker exit to the bay of 144 islands (count them if you don't believe me), Cape Brett and several overpriced tours offering swimming with dolphins, drowning with whales and flailing with stingrays. It is also home to the most important historical site in New Zealand where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and the Maori Chiefs. The Chiefs signed away their sovereignty for what they thought was just protection from the British government, the other side of course saw different. However it is instructive to see that unlike Australia where the native peoples were basically persecuted the Maori occupy a far stronger position in New Zealand society in relation a perhaps frivolous example being the Haka performed by the All Blacks at the beginning of their test matches. The Australians do not indulge in a touch of tribal chanting with 3 blokes and a digeredoo.
 
The Treaty Grounds were given to the nation by Lord Bledisloe and include an impressive meeting house, full of carved tribal figurines and a very impressive Waka or canoe which certainly would be an impressive sight when filled with 80 odd tattooed chanting blokes the sizes of dump trucks steaming toward you at full bore.
 
Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay also occupy a special place ion the hearts of the Maori. According to the tour bus guide Oz, who in between throwing the vehicle into sharp curves at 70kph on gravel tracks was enthusing on how he was going to die and what would happen next. After his own lying in state (he said) his spirit would leave NZ at the Cape and he expects his relatives to wave goodbye to him from there. The problem is of course is that they would be surrounded by thousands of Japanese tourists snapping the imposing lighthouse with the obligatory signs pointing toward London and Sydney; reminders perhaps of a more material migration as thousands leave these shores each year. The Cape is a very special place and is where the Abel Tasman and the Pacific meet, on wild days a sheet of white water thrashes against the rock but when I visited all was calm, a cyclone has passed through 3 days previous and the coast and inland have only been recovering.
 
Before the Cape, there was drive along 90 mile beach where the bus races the incoming tide as it travels over the sands toward a set of dunes where at 120 feet and facing downward you can board over. Speeds of 60kph have been recorded as people spend 10 minutes climbing for a 10 second thrill as you fly down the face on a bodyboard. Sounds like something else I know......Anyway yours truly managed 2 attempts and I managed not to chop down the legs of the poor souls who finished halfway down the hill.
 
After this rush of adrenaline something more sedate was required and offered by the Rock; a 22hr cruise through the islands which offered fishing (the sods refused to bite my line...), kayaking (at midnight using the lumenescence from the algae in the water as a way top show that you were still the right way up) and snorkelling (we need some mussels for tomorrow nights dinner  - can you supply them please?). The boat was a former car ferry which had been converted into accommodation upstairs with a bar and dining area downstairs and skippered by an enthusiastic Brit called John. A great time was had by all and the ages on board ranged from 22 to 60, a real mix. Thoroughly recommended if anybody visits this part of the world and is looking for an activity to get involved in. One amusing incident occurred when one user of a top bunk climbed onto his sleeping bed and Great Escape style fell through the bottom and onto the inhabitant below much to his alarm, and to the amusement of everybody else in the room...!
 
This is a beautiful part of the country and well worth a visit. Remote, with forests of Kauri trees and mangrove swamps. This afternoon it is back to Auckland and a brief stopover before Mercury Bay and then Hamilton next week; where hopefully I will be able to supply some pictures at long last!
 
yeghes da
 
James.

Greetings all...these re some of the first pics. Not the best but it is LATE at night here and I have not fully sorted them yet (still have another 32 of the States somewhere!)
 
Just generally testing. If the quality is too naff/ out of focus let me know.....
 
cheers
 
James.

PS: I should have added that they are a mixture of Chicago, Colorado (from the train) and the last one is a pic of the first billboard coming into Los Angeles.
 
I am still trying to work out how to get the titles across.
 
As I said more, and hopefully better to come.
 
yeghes da.

Ok. How to do track possessions New Zealand style. Stop the train using a mere board (No1) - then shift the workers out of the way - then pass the board - dead easy. Also Black signals - no problem just go sailing on by after receiving permission to pass the first one (two/three) - easy when you have CTC and Radio.
 
I would love the HSE's view on this at home; plus very very little fencing on the side of the railway - yet they seem to manage ok......

4th Report:-

Hamilton, Early Sunday Morning after watching Eng v Sco in the 6N.  (9th March)
 
Words fail me after watching an enormous load of turgid rubbish in the rugby; however to load this email with rantings after that dire performance would be unfair. So, to this last week - I did promise some pictures and hopefully this will come through (and titled) on the attachment.
 
The journey so far has taken me from Wellington (no1) to the Northland via the train "The Overlander" to the Northland and the top tip of New Zealand...with a trip along 90 mile beach and a good set of eyes required to view distant lands....from there to Pahia and a wonderful trip around the Bay of Islands on a boat called the Rock. Also viewed was the Treaty House were the Crown signed the agreement with the Maori Chiefs which also a houses a large ceremonial Waka or canoe.
 
After losing 2 sets of glasses back South via Auckland the East Cape to Hamilton. On the way Matamata (aka Hobbiton was visited), Rotorua which is a centre of volcanic activity with a lovely whiff of Sulphur in the air and the local lake being an enticing mix of yellow, blue and green with the week being rounded off by watching the cricket (pictures with locals attached!) and rugby at Hamilton.
 
When I have calmed down I will send a few more through and do

Wellington - View Across the Bay.                       Its a long way to......                        And If I press here New Zealand goes Bang! Cape Reinga

The Hole in the Rock - Bay of Islands                  Slumming it on the Beach                        Treaty House - Waitangi

               Waka Canoe - Waitangi                         Who is the uglier - Matamata                       Sulphur Lake - Rotorua

          Waikato Draught...errr....                                            Indeed                                                  Rugby Cheetahs

5th Report:-

Taupo - Wednesday 11th March.
 
When does the fear start: when they fit the harness on perhaps; climbing into the plane; perhaps as it slowly and surely banks around with kerosene in the nostrils and the oxygen mask on as it climbs and climbs? At 12000 ft, the green light flashes and the first ones are ready to go. You look out the side; the ground, once clear parched and brown due to the drought is now a blur; the cars on the road below have long since stopped being distinct are are now like a series of ants marching indian file along the countryside. The plane banks again; the jumper next to you looks a distinct shade of white and the instructors behind joke and laugh with each other. Remember the banana shape, head on the shoulder, hands on the harness and legs back. Then when the tap comes the hands can come out the arms can be extended outward and the feet go back toward the backside. The man behind shows the altometer - 15000 feet - time to go. No turning back.  You slide toward the exit of the plane, feet dangling out and look down - Lake Taupo grins at you from below - the waves contouring into a smile as it prepares to swallow should the slightest thing go wrong - but if it is of any consequence they have packed you a "pacalifejacket" which is secured around the waist. 
 GO - downward you stare and the g force hits; the stomach goes into the brain as the thrill and adrenaline hits. It is the start of a 45 second freefall. The instructor taps - time to look up and around and an image is indelibly printed on the brain - Lake Taupo - all 170ks of it, plus the mountain range including  Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and  Tongariro nestled in the Tongariro national park of the same name sit and watch broodingly. You turn in the sky - part of a series which the instructor undertakes and to the north the miles of pine forest which stretch toward Hamilton, with the town of Taupo nestled on the shore - the entire scene lit  by brilliant sunshine and the images are then indelibly printed into the brain.  The wind rushes past the ears and after the designated time the chute opens and you are jerked upward as it fills - through a series of sharpening turns the ground rushes up - landing is greeted with relief and an enormous cheesy grin - welcome to the world of skydiving......
 
It has been 10 days or so since Auckland was left behind after a briief stop over and the holiday has hit the West coast of NZ briefly via a stop in Whitianga on the bottom end of the Coromandel peninsular through a series of caves, past what is perhaps the worlds most smelliest town with the exception of Burton Upon Trent, taken in four days of cricket and a game of rugby at Hamilton before ending here in the town of Taupo which lies on the lake of the same name. I am sitting in an internet cafe at 8am typing this as well before catching the bus south to Wellington and with the rapid realisation that I am running out of time as I am due to leave on the 5th March from Auckland to Melbourne; oh well keep some over for another time perhaps. For those following the saga of the glasses - one set retrieved after $30 was spent on a taxi ride across Auckland and an initial gallic shrug at the Brown Kiwi hostel; only an irate phone call the next day revealed that yes - er..sorry forgot to leave them out - where can we send them on to? Hamilton came the reply and they arrived. I can see. At last.
 
Anyway enough rambling - A very brief stop in Auckland overnight with a trip to the West Coast and the Coromandel peninsular. This was the briefest of brief stops - the blurb promised Cathedral cove (a large hole in a rock on a beach) and Hot Water Beach. The latter was so named because of geothermal activity - you dig a hole in some sand; wallow in the hot water but not forgetting to add seawater otherwise scalding backside syndrome takes place. There was only one slight drawback to the activity - this can only be done when the tide is out; the tide was in. Feeling thoroughly cheated out of the first bath in a few days the bus drew on via the Karangahake Gorge - scene of one of NZ's many gold rushes with a tramp through the old mining tunnels and then onto Rotorua via Matamata or Hobbiton where part of LOTR was filmed.  Rotorua in Maori should mean "smelly place" as the whiff of Sulphur Dioxide from the many springs permeates the air. The Lake which the town sits also is also subject to interesting colours due to the chemical make up - with the shoreline encrusted white and venting steam. The evening activity comprised of a Hangi (traditional Maori Meal) at the "traditional Maori Village" of Tamaki. The hangi is where the food is thrown into a pit, a fire lit on top which in turn heats volcanic rock (important this - although if you have no volcanic rock handy iron can do just as good a job). After an hour the rock falls onto the food and slowly cooks it. We were assured that the food was done via these principles - including the boiled carrots and the pavlova as well. Hmmmm.
 
Then Hamilton - where I meet up with Lance who has been throwing the occasional aside into this group email. Here was the prospect of 4 days of cricket, some decent nights sleep and a game of rugby. As for the cricket - well the less said the better really. For the first 3 and a half days never in the field of the game have so many contrived to go so slowly; but on the last one and a half it all happened. And I contrived to miss the action. Then it was more Rugby - the Chiefs v the Cheetahs of South Africa; the local team one and my guide was as vocal as a Millwall lad on the recieving end of a dodgy penalty. Passionate about their game these Kiwi types you know. Two of the highlights were the sight of some of the Sky Tv team scoffing their faces in a hospitality box - yes you mr Gower and a local character called Possum who hoists himself on a cherrypicker to avoid paying the gate; starts up a chainsaw whenever the Chiefs look like/ have scored and dishes out sweets to the kids afterwards. In the Uk he would have been arrested for about 4 different offences.......
 
After saying goodbye to Lance it was then onto Taupo which sits on a lake created by a volcanic eruption which occured around 1800 years ago. So severe was the eruption that it created a lake of around 170ks and was recorded by both the chinese and the Romans. It is the adventure playground of the North island as the geography allows for various activities - including rafting, skydiving as well as undertaking a fairly gruelling 7hr walk on the Tongariro crossing through the National Park of the same name. The landscape features heavily as Mordor in the filed version of Lord of the Rings with the volcanic mountain Mt. Ngauruhoe featuring as Mt Doom....the volcano is active and whilst on the crossing ominous rumbles were heard. It was also here that whilst stumbling up a hill of scree that I encountered a former University colleague who I had not seen in 5 years...it's a small small world!
 
Wellington (again) next and to the South Island. Signing Off this hurried note.
 
photos to follow...accomodation screw up.....great.... 

James.

                                                               Mordor                                           Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom)

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Who's the Daddy - Matt & Sheena Hurst would like to introduce their son, Ethan.

I’d like to say Hello.

Firstly let me introduce myself.  My name is Ethan Reid Hurst and I was only born at 00:08 today 8th September 2007.  My mummy wasn’t expecting me for another 10 days and was a little cross with me as she will now miss her best friends wedding, but there is only so much a little man like me can take and I was getting a little tired of the cramped conditions of my mobile home of the last 8 ½ months.

I may only be 5lb 10oz but boy that won’t take long to put right.

My hobbies are eating, sleeping, eating, crying and did I mention eating?

Apparently I will be living in a house with my mummy and daddy in a nicely decorated room in a place called Romsey.  Mummy and daddy were happy to see me and I’ve been told that Rosie and Rodney will keep me entertained.  I would however like to meet you all but as I haven’t got my driving licence yet, maybe you could visit me at my new home?

I should be home within the next few days and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

Love

Ethan

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Ethan Now 3 Months old & Matt the Daddy as he was at 3 Months!

The little Saint and The Sinner

Like Son - like Father

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Ros Ciano, one of the Salisbury announcers, worked her last shift today, Thursday 16th August, before taking it easy for a couple of days, then getting the business ready for opening in a couple of weeks. We all wish Ros and Pete all the best in their coming adventure and more importantly look forward to visiting Peppers when passing through Yeovil Junction, for some good food.

On Friday 16 November 2007
David Bailey (aka John wot do you think of my telephoto lens? Say) & I set forth with due haste to
Peppers buffet at Yeovil Junction on the 0948 hrs from Platform Free (you can tell that Ginge wuz on duty!).
She was extremely pleased with the posters that were given to her by me on behalf of all her colleagues.
Please find attached the rather impressive results of John's efforts with my digital camera.
John managed to demolish one of Ros's "Full Steam Ahead" breakfasts with bubble & squeak.

Regards, Steve

Coming Soon:-