Update...finally

Well it has been a while between updates... A quick summary of the last 5 odd months.

We had many a discussion about whether to return or not to Melbourne, but in the end we decided to stay. I did apply for a couple of jobs in Melbourne but didn't get offered anything. I did get offered a job in Oamaru - at a nicer school with probably more easily teachable kids, but we decided in the end to just stay put here. 

We travelled to Milford Sound over the 3rd term holidays, which was a great trip.

I've been out walking a bit, but no where near as much as I'd like. I also did far less skiing in winter than I envisaged - but still got out a few times.  I did climb the local foot hill recently - Mt Tuhua at 1150 odd meters or something. A steep 3 hour climb from the valley floor (starting at around 100m) but worth it for the views. I'm hoping to get some more tramping done this year.  

Mt Tuhua viewed from near my house:

Over new years I attempted to climb Mt Bowen again (a trip I attempted and detailed in this blog around easter last year).  This trip was also a failure.  Long story, but to summarise we attempted to climb by a different route but ran in to the same problem - no track through thick alpine scrub which forced us to retreat back down the mountain.  With more daylight (and a better forecast for the next day) we would've probably pushed through this stuff alright, but in the end we decided to just give up and head back down the mountain.  

Incidentally if anyone is interested in doing some tramping over here, let me know - I'm eyeing off maybe the Milford track at the end of this year (or something else in Fiordland) and maybe the Heaphy Track over the winter holidays.

A couple of weeks ago we went for a trip up to Golden Bay and visited the Gannet Colony on Fairwell Spit.




I've been conducting the Westand District Brass Band for some time now. We had a lot of engagements over xmas - from the towns xmas parade, to various carols etc. We played for the first time in 2010 today at the A+P show. On another note I won a first and second in photography at the show, and Julie won a cross stitch section. Some photos from the Xmas Parade:





A+P show:

Julie and I are returning to Melbourne for a week over easter. I look forward to eating a lot and catching up with people.

I went back to work this Monday. Wasn't great. Wasn't too bad either though.  My senior music students are pretty good actually - there is some really talent kids there, so there is some shining light at the end of the tunnel.  

I will endeavour to post more updates this year.