Blue mountains, Australia

We had a great time in the Blue mountains
Sorry to the people we didn't see. our phone not working was a real pain..Thanks telecom!
We stayed at Dan's flat and he and his flatmates dog annie took us climbing on thursday/friday. On Saturday we were joined by the lovely Stacey. we quickly saw the blossoming Yvoinne on the way out..Thanks for dropping us at the airport mid jetlag..You rock.

Annie

Dan

Stacey

Easter

Bush fires meant that we went to Chinaman's bluff in the Dart valley as the local area was out of bounds.
It was a bit damp but we got a climb we have been working on for years equipped and ready to go on our next visit. It will be called Icarus if we get it and is 6 pitches long.

We also went to a Barbeque to celebrate Ian and Marianne's wedding. It was great to meet their families.
We went back up South Wye and Finally climbed the Big corner which turned out to be about 17, Centrefold is now 5 1/2 pitches long

So much to get finished before winter sets in and the rock gets wet.
we will probably be doing lots of work on these new climbs for the next month while we can.
Winter will be good though A wee trip to OZ in may then July ,August Ice climbing . We also have season passes for the Ski fields..I am looking forward to that!

Family time in Auckland

Aaron rich john and dad on a walk at Piha

grandpa and vinnie in th Fern garden

Me and my special man

Vinnie loves this lion!

John and Steph came over from the UK with their little man Vinnie.
He is a total cutie.... Very happy and chilled.
We went up to see them, and the rest of the family of course.

South Wye again

This weekend Tony, Aaron and I were back up South Wye. we stayed in the Bivvy again which is getting really homely.
We did 5 new pitches of climbing, all in the 20/21 range.
A 5th pitch for Big day out
Dry gasp next to it( very bold lead on trad by Tony without the small wires)
Then a new 2 pitch route, which tony cleaned and bolted
Last but not least a new pitch 1 to Centrefold.

Paul and Sally at campsite on Charismatic wall. Tutoko in background

Paul Climbing our new route

This month has been really busy!
I went to Australia for a weekend and went to Dan's Birthday/house warming party
We Have had lots of visitors with Mike an Yvionne over from sydney, Mark and Ailsa from Melbourne, Paul coming back and forth on Darrens missions as well as Greg and Ziggy. My dad, Mike, Jim, Janet and Richard Down from Auckland on a tramping trip

We did Manage to get out of the House briefly between groups. To do a bit of mountain bike riding and also A trip to Milford where Aaron, Paul and I started a new route on the Charismatic wall( peak 1655) It was a huge outing we flew to the top and camped out there for two nights the first day bolting the 5 pitches and climbing out them and the second day bolting on down and some fixed line rapping and a bush crash for an hour or so. It was a week ago and I am only just feeling full strength again

Family Fun

Photo's
1) riding around lake hayes
2)Cooling off half way
3)Pet Aaron Holly and Patrick in the drive way
4)Dave and Claire on their big day
5)Claires hen's outfit

After a week with my brother Richard up in Auckland I came home to a visit from Aaron's mum Pet, step dad Richard, and our wonderful Niece and Nephew Holly and Patrick.
We did alot of bike riding including a lap of Lake Hayes and From Frankton to town and back along Lake Wakatipu. The Kids have grown up so much. Holly even made the dinner one night( yummy tuna sushi) They helped us around the garden, we played board games and swam.
The other special thing this weekend was Dave and Claires wedding. Alot more classy than the hen's night!

Happy New year!

Well we have had some holidays

I went to Paynes ford climbing and Aaron joined me a few days later.
We did some climbing relaxing and lots of eating but due to our fitness didn't climb anything hard

Then a lovely christmas with Aaron's Parents Pet and Richard...Well other than Aaron having a tummy bug and throwing up out the window!
We had Salmon and Pav...Yummmy

Back to queenstown for some more mountain biking and climbing both of which are going really well for me with a lot of improvement lately. I did a new climb on Admiral wall. If you do a climb first you can name it and I have called it Vinnie rex in Honour of the beautiful baby boy.
Also talking of babies I went and Saw Maryanne and Ian's new arrival Amelie Dee...Super cute little blondie.

hope you are having fun too