Yes I'm Still Alive

Hey lovely people I am still here just not got access to tinternet at home so have to come into Christchurch to do this which is a good 40 mins away by car so don't get round to it too often.

Sad news last Friday as my lovely Uncle Nico died peacefully which was a long time coming for him and the family but at least he's out of pain now. He was a wonderful man and brought so much joy and fun to so many people. I will miss him terribly.

Right news update for you, this is where I am staying now until I leave New Zealand. Check out the view oh and the beast which is my wheels for next couple of weeks too.

Rugby was odd to watch over here with a few kiwis in the pub at 8 in the morning and I think we did bloody well to even get to the final and then give South Africa a decent game which they deserved to win. Beating the Australians and the French was bloody brilliant though. This country is still devastated by the All Blacks losing in the quarter final and it's still on the back pages of every paper here, get over it and harden up New Zealand it's just a game.... Hmm not sure I'd be welcome back at the pub if they saw that!!!!

I've got 2 weeks to go until Florida and being a complete child again and the weather here has turned amazing the last 2 weeks. The shorts are out and the sun cream on and you'll be pig sick of me in Florida guys due to the tan - sorry....

I'm trying something new here to see if it works. This should be a video I took up at Mount Cook a few weeks ago and man it's spectacular and would recommend it to anyone

Other than that not huge amount to report to be honest. Have been chilling out in Diamond Harbour for a while and I love it. There is such a great bunch of people here that have made me so welcome and I'm going to really miss them and this place. I'll get some photos on here of Godley House etc so you know where I am talking about. I am SO looking forward to Florida though and have a look at the Deantours blog to see where we'll be if you can be arsed www.mickeybigears.blogspot.com/ . Anyone think Shaun copied my blog idea?????????????? Think that's it for now, back soon peeps and you all go and behave yourselves. Including you Nards....

Oh yes - last thing met someone who used to go out with Robbie Williams as you do down at the pub!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About Time I Know

Ah greetings fair Northern Hemisphere people ( and some Southern) and how are we all?? Been a while again I know but I've been busy man, you know....drinking, socialising, travelling around South Island etc etc and am currently In a place called Takaka right at the top of the South Island in Golden Bay and it's gorgeous.

Thought it best first though to put some pictures taken on the way back from Queenstown to Diamond Harbour last week after the leaping of a cliff thing. First two are the mountains reflected in Lake Hamilton followed by Mount Cook (Aoraki in Maori) and the same reflected in Lake Pukaki. It was just a fabulous day and top drive even though it was 9 1/2 hours!!!!

Spent night before last in Kaikoura (pics below) which is just stunning and the drive from there to Takaka via Nelson was absolutely beautiful. You go through snow capped mountains, along the East coast passing the Ohua seal colony,

through the Marlborough wine region and the most fabulous forests with the twistiest roads I have driven on. Makes going through Glencoe a little dull I'm afraid!!!! And to top all that even had a small earthquake here this morning which woke me up, bit bizarre that!! So I have come up to this part of the island on the advice of the locals at the pub in Diamond Harbour (Godley House and it's top) and am off down the West Coast tomorrow for a day or two then over to the Fox and Frank Josef glaciers next week. Below is the view from my cabin in Takaka, not bad ay

At the moment I have another 6 weeks here before going to Florida with Dean Tours and will be looking to get up to the North Island for a bit and see if I can pick up some work for a few weeks in Diamond Harbour and see how it goes.

Well that's about it for now. Hope all is well with everyone and will be back soon. Take care all

P.s. Yes I have shaved......