Spring Gardening

I'm trying to have a garden thats Organic and  Natural

I planted my seedlings as usual on Sept 1
I used newspaper folded around a balsmic vinegar bottle( beer bottles work well too) to make pottles. You can plant direct later, or remove and throw in compost.
Already the Rocket and Cos are Coming up!

Dug in Sheep poo dust and blood and bone.

I'm giving up on Cucumber this year as it dosn't give alot of vege for the space and Time.
Also Pepprs, and Capsicum take so long and only do average, so they are out. Aphid control with Nastursium if you do them.

I'm going to give brocolli another go now my Brother gave me a hoop net thing. The Green Slugs ravaged them before and picking them off was not enough.

My successes last year were Beans, Zuchinni, Rocket, cos Lettuce, Tomatoes, Parsley
Also I solved the neighbours cat pooing in my garden with Chilli Powder sprinkled around edge. Lemon dosn't work at all.

Spinach is going well already and I'll be adding Beetroot. We also Did spud in a bucket and I'll be doing it again

Mum tells me that to stop Coriander going to seed have a water dish and water from below so it never dries out, so I'll be giving that a go.

YUMMY crisp veges In a few months...Delicious

Photo Of SMS Remarks fest

Me , Shelley, Jean on Saturday Morning Special 

This photo is by Mark Watson of Highlux photography
www.highlux.co.nz/blog
Thanks Heaps mark for a great memory preserved and your generosity in letting me use it.

Mark was one of the official photographers at the Remarkables mixed and Ice festival I mentioned a few posts ago
Pretty pleased to have a pic of my hardest lead yet..Not so pleased to see I crossed the ropes ( I blame nerves)

More winter climbing

Well more winter climbing as the season comes to an end, including the elusive (for me) Friday's fool
The start is still too hard for me to lead.. but one of my one day goals. (Thank God Paul had the Kahuna's)

Keith, Millsy, Me 

Thanks Millsy, Keith , Paul for good times, support, and top ropes on the hard stuff. X X X

Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival

This weekend there was a climbing Festival in Queenstown.
http://www.iceandmixedfestival.co.nz/

It had a great Vibe with everyone from Gerusa putting crampon's on for the first time ever, Some pro Guides, Top end climbers, and lots of amateurs, all hanging out enjoying a few beautiful sunny windless days in the Remarkables, Queenstown.

Lots of social time too to catch up with old friends and climbers from far and wide. I also got to climb with 3 people I'd never climbed with before and get to know them a whole lot better.

My Team on Saturday Morning- Jean, Me and Shelley

Wine

Recently Philip shared a bottle of Felton road Pinot 2007 Calvert with us and it was my favorite so far Narrowly pipping the Georgetown 2007 Pinot. Rich Spiced Yummy!

Mike's Blog

http://mikesbigbreak.tumblr.com
Check this out.
A friend of ours Mike had an accident on His skateboard and Broke his spine at T12 causing Paralysis from his belly button down.
He is a great writer and has been Doing a blog. Some Big challenges for Mike and his family, But they are Funny, smart,  motivated people so I'm sure in the long run they'll overcome them

Ice climbing stuff I love

Petzl Quark Ice Tools- Disclaimer: I work for the importer

The New Quarks are awesome:
Light weight- so you don't get drag on the swing.
Hooks for leashless- Never get pumped again! Never hit your Knuckles.
All mountain- Can be stripped down, along with the lightweight this is a one tool does it all tool.

Earth Sea sky Stretch Fleece leggings


Cosy and cuddly with out ever getting sweaty. I have other thermal layers but wear these everytime. Also great for winter running and biking


The natural confectionary company Forbidden fruit


Yummy and don't go hard in the cold. A pocket full of these will keep you going on the walk out.