The Pumpkin Festival

This wee cutie was my favourite of all the competition entries. He didnt win a prize unfortunately.

This pumpkin is a reference to Bob Parker, Christchurch's Mayor. I thought it was well done.

I've been scrapping ...

I brought some Crate Paper yesterday and had in mind a layout with some pics of Trekessa. My big sis sent me a pic tonight of a stunning layout also of Trekessa. Snap ... would you believe we used the same range of supplies? Great minds are thinking alike there kiddo.

Little River Rail Trail

One of the things I wanted to do on my bike was ride the "Little River Rail Trail" ... a cycle trail from Prebbleton - Little River which is being completed in sections, there are 6 sections in total, and 3 of them have been completed.

Just after 1000 on Anzac Day, a friend and I drove to Motukarara and biked from there to Little River. The Motukarara - Birdlings Flat section is 7 kms, Birdlings Flat - Little River is 13 kms. The plan was to bike to Little River, and meet up with friends who were driving out to join us at "The Little River Country Bumpkin Pumpkin Festival", 20 kms seemed an easy enough ride, but I think I was waaaaay too optimistic about being able to ride both ways. I was really pleased when Steven suggested getting dropped back at his van and bringing it back to collect me and the bikes, I think we both need to do a lot more off road riding before we attempt the return trip! It was lovely scenery, I didn't take any pics though, was too busy trying to get to Little River to meet up with our friends. The 20 kms took us 2 hours to ride, my butt sure as hell wouldn't have managed another 2 hours on it. If you get the chance, its a really nice ride.

Anzac Day

It was an early start for me ... the alarm went off at 5.30 am, I've been going to the Dawn Service in Cathedral Square on Anzac Day for the past 20 years, and have only missed a couple. I was a Territorial Soldier for a number of years, and took part several times in services around Canterbury, I was even in the firing party for a service in Hamner Spring in 1989. I think it's important for us to remember those who have gone before us and the sacrifices they made.

The day dawned with a really mild 8 degrees, sure beats Anzac Days of the past when I've had to wrap up bloody warm, as it gets pretty cold standing in one spot at 6.30 am. It was a huge turn out, they reckon over 8000 people. It was super, the dodgy sound system of last year was replaced with an excellent one, and the fly over of the Iroquois helicopter was a sight to see.

If you haven't been before, please make it a "must do" next year.

On a roll ...

I seem to be on a roll with loading pics tonight, so better put up some layouts I have completed recently.

The Giants House

These pics were taken at The Giants House, owned by a local artist Josie, the house was originally built in 1880 for Akaroa's first BNZ Manager, the house is called "Linton" named after the town in England the bank manager came from. Josie has created amazing colourful mosaic sculptures, there are nearly 30 of them in and around the house, her paintings which adorn the house are equally colourful. Trekessa and I visited in January, and I made a return trip with friends a couple of weekends ago. The grounds have been landscaped by Josie and are just as colourful. It's a must see!

Akaroa

Friends and I recently spent a weekend in Akaroa, it is one of my favourite places to escape to, whether it be for a day or a weekend. If you havent been ... it's on an hour and a bit away from Christchurch. How can you not relax with amazing views like this?

Another first ...

Unfortunately I had an accident on my bike last Thursday night, another cyclist overtook me on the inside and my immediate reaction was to brake so as to avoid hitting them. On the plus side, my brakes work really good, on the negative, I flew over the handlebars, somersaulted and went splat. Bugger! am a tad sore, musclewise, have a graze on my arm and a headache which hasnt gone away. Am counting myself very lucky. I got back in the saddle this morning, and have to admit to being a lot nervous on the ride to and from work today. The guy I braked for didn't even bother stopping to check I was ok, he had to have heard me go down, and known he was in the wrong. Tosser! It happened exactly one month to the day since I started biking. My bike is fine, cant even find a scratch on it.

Another first ...

On Sunday 30th March I walked the "City to Surf", from Cathedral Square to QEII Park, 12 kms. My aim was just to finish, and I worked out it would take me 3 - 3 1/2 hours to walk it. I finished in 2 hours 38 mins, and surprised myself big time.

I rang my Mum when I got home to tell her my time, and she told me she was proud of me, I've never heard that from her before, so it was really something. Trekessa also said she was proud of me, so all in all a great day. I didnt tell many people I was doing it, so a few of my friends were really surprised I finished it.

Challenge one accomplished, am working on challenge two ... watch this space.