How to humble yourself in one step...

So Xmas was always going to be different this year. Being away from home, away from family, having Xmas day in summer 12,ooomiles from home i had to make it all i could but i never thought i would find such an experience.
Two weeks before leaving the UK i sent an email to the Auckland City Mission asking if i could help out at their Xmas lunch serving the Aucklanders who are not fortunate enough to be able to afford a Xmas day meal. A few weeks later and i got a reply back saying i had been selected as a volunteer to help out on the day. There were a huge array of jobs to do and i signed up for as much as i could, keen to get the most from the experience. I started at 6.30am with decorations which involved laying tables for the 2000 expected guests, assembling the trees, moving all the stage equipment in for the entertainment that was provided, and then getting stuck into the helium balloons which was great fun. We worked in teams of about 8-10 on each task and i had such a good bunch whilst doing the ballons, each person so happy and joyful, all with the same ideals about what Xmas is really about. Once the decorations were set it was time to don my shirt and tie, ready for waiter service for the guests meal. My team and I were operating in the red sector of the hall and covered about 250 guests. As we took the meals out you could see such a mix of people, from a huge array of social, cultural and racial backgrounds all there together, so happy that they had the opportunity to take part in the Xmas of their dreams. With each meal i served, i saw the purest and most sincere gratitude on the faces of those at the tables. It was such a far cry from anything i had ever seen or experienced before in my life, and an action i would be intensely keen to repeat in years to come. Each guest also received a present from Santa, and watching smiles evolve as people young and old unwrapped gifts was beyond comprehension.

The whole experience was a rolloercoaster of emotions. I experienced the highest of highs, so happy that i had chosen to make my Xmas gift one that so many people could appreciate. I also felt incredible lows watching those who were in sheer desperation and clearly on times harder than i could comprehend. At one point, i had served an elderly couple at one table and saw them eat only a couple of mouthfuls before rolling the food into a napkin and putting it into their bag, They looked so frail together, so scared of the world, and worried about what it was dealing them and i thought of the reason why they might be taking the food. Were they taking it home for family who hadn't managed to get a ticket to the event, or were they going to make the food last over the next fews days as they had nothing else? Either way, it hit me heard and i was pretty choked up from it. As the meal finished, i helped them to the door with their bags and made sure hey were on the way to the correct bus stop, and after saying goodbye as i turned back to the arena to see the other guests away and clear up, my eyes were full of tears. It was a completely pivotal moment in my trip here, and my life to this point. To see people with so little really makes you appreciate what you have and what a little thing like giving someone a bit of your time to make them feel both appreciated and important can transform them, and you too. This trip has taught me so much about life, and about me too. I am a different person to that which stepped off the plane two months ago and the way in which i apporach life is altered forever. I have found a deeper part to my character than i was aware was there, waiting to be unearthed. What a trip this has been, and i'm only two months in.......

Trips, Vans, Fun and Sun...

Where do i start?? NZ is both everything i hoped and expected, but also nothing like i imagined. It's been a hugely varied and dynamic experience so far. I've met a huge bunch of people, been on a boat load of trips and seen some amazing sights, yet i have only scratched the surface of a tiny part of the North Island. If this is anything to go by, the rest of the Island and the South will be mind blowing.

So i arrived on a beautiful sunny day into a pristine airport. Such a change from the UK airports i've been through. It had such a feel about it and the arrivals process was seamless. The flight itslef was amazing, i flew from the UK to LA chasing the sunset so i was able to watch the sun go down over the UK, Iceland, Canada, America and the Pacific, absolutely magic. A short stop over in LA i met a Canadian family who live on the Saskatchewan border on a farm. I have an offer of a bed if i am ever over there! The flight to Auckland was a night flight so i dozed till sunrise, then sat mesmerised by the cloud formations, seeing a massive cold front blowing in over the ocean, a amzing sight from 30,000ft having studied them over the last few years with uni. i was collected from the Airport by my friend Clare who i worked with before i left St. Albans for uni. She arrived over here with her husband Tony 2 and a half years ago and have a beatiful boy called charlie who is 14 months old, and another girl on the way, due in january which will be great to be over here for. I stopped with Clare, tony and charlie for the first week which i spent resting, relaxing, looking for van and doing the housekeeping things of sorting my bank account, tax number and generally orientating myself to the city. the public transport is not quite up to the scale of the city, i guess the city grew quicker than the infrastructure could manage but it still is reasonable to get around.

During that week of general sorting i went for a trip off shore. Just off the harbour downtown is an amazing set of Islands formed out in the gulf as volcanic islands. I took a boat trip to Rangitoto, the youngest of the them on a scorching day. It was incredible to be only 35mins from downtown but to be on an island with no permant inhabitants, no shops, no lights, no real signs of human influence, just a dense mass of mangrove and forest. The island has some incredible formations of lava caves, formed when the island exploded from the ocean. i took an exlpore in these caves without the aid of the recommended torch as i had left it at home but sat for a while, letting my eyes become accustomed to the darkness. The light bagan to filter in to my eyes and the most immense shapes were revealed before me. i am sure that if had taken a torch i would not have seen these shapes, shadows, lumps and bumps as i would only be focussed oon what was in the torch beam. As i sat there, i thought back to Stanley Head, my job i had left in Stoke, and wondered whether or not any of the guys there were out in caves underground at the same time as me... Leaving the caves i headed for the summit, which welcomed me with a fantastic 360 panorama view, the sun was shining and the wind felt so fresh against my face. The summit was shared by a few other visitors and we all sat smiling and appreciating the majestic view. Unfortunately i could not spend as long on the summit as i would have liked as the ferry was departing back to downtown so it was back to the jetty for the ride home.

I also met up that week with a family friend from St. Albans who is out here visiting her Aunt. we have not seen each other for about 6years so to turn up here on the other side of the world is bizarre. even more bizarre is that Emma met a guy called Luke just the week before she left the UK, and he was also coming out here for ayear. Luke and I went to High School together, with Luke the year below me. Immediately on meeting, all three of us hit it off and got on so well, almost as though we were meant to meet out here.

Over the last few weeks i have spent a lot of time with these guys, away on trips or just hanging out in Auckland.After staying at Clare and Tony's i decided to take off to downtown to check into a backpackers hostel to meet some likeminded folk who might be up for a trip, or a few nights out. Checking into "The Camel" hostel i found a great bunch of guys in there with a really relaxed atmosphere. A few nights out with the guys there really settled me in to the nomadic lifestyle of travelling and taking each day as it comes. Checking out of the hostel i spent a few nights staying with Luke and Emma at Emma's Aunt's house before being invited to a trip down to lake Taupo to stay in a newly built Bach (lake house) with Tree, Ian, Sam, and Josh, as well as Emma and Luke. It was a fantastic weekend, heading down on friday night, relaxing with a few beers and a log fire to awake on saturday morning with my first views of the lake. It was immense... The lake is a volcanic caldera, measuring 160km around it's circumference. It is so big that the curvature of the earth means you cannot see the opposite shore clearly. Saturday was spent walking the dog along the shore and playing games with the boys, with the afternoon spent out on the lake, knee boarding and rifing biscuits behind the speedboat. Amazng!A fantastic meal on saturday night with some friends of Tree and Ian's who also have a Bach down in Whareroa was a great way to seal the day. Sunday was relaxed too, taking our time to sget out in the boat again for more action riding the wake on various items towed at pretty high speeds! Tree, Ian and the boys headed back to Auckland on Sunday evening whilst myself, Luke and Emma stopped another night at the Bach before being collected by Kate, a girl who i've met out here whose family own a farm in Taihape, about 1 hour South of the Bach and where Kate was to be spending a week.

Driving down from Auckland to her farm, she was heading right past the Bach so she picked us up and showed us the sights, including a marvellous view of Mount Ruapehu from the desert road before arriving at the farm. magic is the only word i can find to describe it. It is set amongst the hills of the Central North island, perched on the hill above a magnificent river that cuts deep in to the gorge, sweeping its way through the landscape and making for some breath taking views. The gorge at the farm is over 40metres deep, and the river was perfect for swimming in. The weather was intense sunshine for almost the entire time we were there. As well as swimming in the rivers, jumping from the cliffs, we also took off to see the farm operating and got involved in drafting the sheep (there were hundreds) into the pens, ready for the final draft where they were sorted into two seperate pens, one for lambs, the other for Ewe's. Occasionally a lamb made it into the Ewe pen so Tim (Kate's father) asked me to go in, dleve through the huge herd of sheep and come out victorious with the lamb in my hands, and deposit him or her into the correct pen. It was great fun, and a real taste of new Zealand. Later that evening we got an ever better tats eof new Zealand in the form of the most beatuifully cooked lamb shank evers, fresh as you like and cooked to perfection by Tim and Gabriel (Kate's parents). After eating we took off down to the river again for a fire and to spend the night out, chatting with Kate's friends who had come to join us, and watching the stars as they glowed so brightly all night long. Waking early doors with a slightly dull head, i made for the sheep shed again at the top of the farm where Tim had told us the sheep shearing would be happening first thing. The guys were amazing, shearing a sheep in less that a minute and straight onto the next without stopping. They had over 600 sheep to get through and had been on it since 6am. arriving at 8.30am, they were still going strong, and after watching them for a while i took my leave to allow them to continue with their task. The day was again spent down by the river, but this time we took a more extreme approach, driving to a place called Gravity Canyon where an 80m bungee swing was on the cards. I went tandem with Kate, and it was literally heart stopping. You are strapped into a harness, then dangled out over the 100m drop into the canyon where a guy pulls a rip cord without any warning and you plummet 80m untill the bungee catches you, taking you into a mental swing down the canyon, so close that you swear you are going to take a dive into the water!! Returning to the farm, we were all buzzing, and after another stunning meal of lamb, Tim offered me and Luke the chance to take the Quad bike out for razz around the farm. Dissapearing off all over the hills, we were mesmerised by the landscape as the sun went down, it seemed to be changing every minute as the hills caught the last of the sun. It was a perfect way to end the days down on the farm as we caught the Overlander train the following morning back to Auckland.

The 8hour journey passes through some really amazing countryside and scenery. Stopping off in some very random towns and settlements along the way, we got off to stretch our legs and have a look around. Okehune was a memorable stop. It is a tiny little ski town, that during the summer months doesnt seem to operate. All the shops and bars were shut, yet music was playing inside and the lights were on. Bizarre indeed...

Arriving back in Auckland, it was time to re-invigorate my hunt for a van! Ther hunt for the van paid off and i picked up a Hyundai H100 which is fairly well decked out for living in, a bed built in the back, camping stove included so happy with that. Sorted out insurance and breakdown the following morning and then headed off on the first trip in the van! Me and Luke nipped off to the Northlands for a pretty hectic 36 hours before having to be back in Auckland for potential work appointment. The trip wasn't planned in the slightest, we just filled the tank and headed North. Stopping off where we fancied, we saw some really cool sights, swimming in a waterfall, chilling out on a beach and catching some body surfing, rolling into Whangerai, a really odd deserted town up North where the only thing open seemed to be the Subway sandwich shop so dinner was sorted out there! The Kai Iwi Lakes are on the West Coast of Northlands so we decided to make the 50km drive over to camp there for the night. It was such a still night that when we arrived at the lake, it was like looking into a huge mirror, with the stars, moon, clouds, everything was reflecting back at us. The van was pretty comfy to crash out in for the night, and taking a swim first thing in the morning was an awesome way to wake up. We had ended up only about 40km from the huge Kauri Trees that grow on the Island, so a trip up to them was really good. We stopped off at a couple of points, seeing the 4 sisters which is a set of 4 kauri's that grow intensly close together, something quite unusual for such big trees. We also took a wander up to Tane Mahuta, the God of the Forest, who stands at over 50m tall with a trunk 13m round! It was pretty impressive to stand next to, it made you feel very small in comparison. Time began to press on so we hopped back in the van to Auckland, making one more short stop at a really impressive Cafe called Eutopia, a real labour of love, hand-crafted building which had a really relaxed atmosphere. A pot of green tea and reading a few books had us back on track after a pretty full on sensory trip.

Back to Auckland, we headed out that evening for a few drinks and to look at the Xmas lights turned on for December. Today we headed to the boys school to see them at their prize givnig ceremony for the end of term (bizzare that the school year should end in early December). Josh won the Principal prize for Year 5 and Sam had had a really impressive year also, but did not receive a prize itself, but had been awarded the most year 3 certificates throughout the year.

well that just about brings us up to date with what has been on since i arrived. Next week is planned for more trips around the North Island, and a casual job interview tomorrow mornig to hopefully top up the bank balance should be the catalyst to bigger and better things coming up! This weekend, i'm off to Ti Point for climbing weekend with the NZ Alpine club for some sea cliffs.

It's been pretty mind blowing so far, and i guess there is only more to come...

NZ three weeks in...

Well where the hell do i start. Life out here has not dealt me the hand i expected or thought i wanted, i've been hit by a massive cultural, social, and emotional shock but its really, trully awesome!

Three weeks and one day in and i'm still in Auckland, i never thought this would happen, i guess i figured i'd get here, find a van in a couple of days and then dissapear into the sunset with some guys i'd met. Life chucks you a curveball sometimes and it certainly did me. Don't get me wrong, i haven't just sat on my ass in Auckland oh no, i've been here for a bit, there for a bit, tripping round, taking opportunities as they present, and just rolling with them to see how it goes!

So what has happende since i last posted.

the big thing has been a hunt for a van. I've searched high and low, on the net, at car fairs, auctions, back packer hostels, newspapers, the whole nine yards. i found about 5 vans i wanted, all 5 slipped through my fingers for one reason or another untill yesterday when a right pearler came my way, and the deal was done! She's a Hyundai H100, 2001, diesel, manual (hard to come by out here) and she is going to rock! Other than the van hunt, i have been off on trips to the Western Beaches of Piha and a fantastic trip to the Central North Island to a lake house and a farm which was a magical journey, and very much needed. The guys i've been with have been stonking, such great people and so genuine. Infact the biggest thing that has gone on has been the people i have met.
Perculiarly i have run into a lad i went to school with, and an old family friend who met each in the UK other the week before they both arrived out here, and there is certainly some kind of reason why we have found each other out here. Luke was the year below me at school and Emma is the daughter of one of my Mothers very close friends. Through Emma i have been introduced to Tree, her aunt who lives out here in Auckland and has the most magical family, married to Ian and mother of Sam and Josh. Tree has got a spiritual gift and talking to her has really opened my eyes and my mind to a new perception and perspective on life. She has taken me under her wing and opened her home. I wish i could convey on here my feelings of worth, and love that i feel from the family here, it really has been so comforting to arrive the other side of the world and be so comfortable, make truly genuine friends so quickly and know that things have happened for a reason. I sit here now still shaking my head and smiling, unable to believe how things have turned out. This post is not about what i have seen or done, but what i have felt since arriving. It is almost indescribable in words, and i know that i have failed to do justice to what i feel right now, and how good it is to be here, not geographically in the world, but emotioanlly and spiritually in this place. I only hope it will continue to grow, and i learn not only a new and improved way to look at life, but the people i have met can share this journey with me...

NZ so far...

Well it's been 5 days since i landed in Auckland and it feels like i've been here for much longer. The days have raced by and i only hope the year doesnt go too quick!

I've taken it pretty easy so far, just taking my time, getting my bearings, clearing the jet lag and chilling out. saturady i headed to Downtown Auckland to see what was about, get my bearings and generally have a look around. I wandered through the streets, down to the water front, up to the city parks just chilling out and taking my time. The city is really clean, with hardly any litter about anywhere and with the sun shining it actually was really nice to be in the CBD where it was buzzing with people, not something that i thought i would enjoy. I just walked with no purpose really, stopping at things that caught my eye and generally having some time to reflect on the thought of being here for a year. I found myself up on "K Road" in some really neat second hand shops and decided to explore the street a little further. It was quite the contrast from the city centre and at a BBQ i went to on Sunday, i found out K Road at night is the place to pick up hookers and find strip joints! I knew it had a different feel about it!! Saturday night i went with Tony to a sports bar to watch the Provincial Rugby Cup Final between Christchurch and Wellington over a few local beers. Sunday was a great day, with a visit to the local car fair to try and find me a motor to whizz around in for the next year (which was unfortunately unsuccessful) and also to a BBQ at Peter and Kellys, friends of Clare and Tony who i am staying with currently. The weather was scorching at the BBQ and within 15mins i had managed to burn my neck and feet. Apparently there is a really problem over here with a hole in the ozone so UVA and UVB get people really quickly so it's going to have to be suncream all the way from here on in! Monday i was back to Downtown to sort my bank account and see a bit more of the cityscape. I found a tattooist who is world renound and am looking to get my new design done there so am hoping to book in soon. They are booked up now till January but have a guest artist from switzerland in this week who has some space to i'm going to call them tommorrow and see about getting in.

I popped over to Rangitoto Island yesterday, the newest island in the Hauraki Gulf, which formed 600years ago when it erupted from the ocean. The island is managed by the Department Of Conservation and is an amazing formation of lava flows in the most perfect shield volcano which is accessed by a short ferry ride. 20mins from the city it is another world over there, there are no shops, no permanent dwellers, and the whole island is covered in vegetation. Well managed trails and signs get you around the island which is so peaceful and silent when you get onto the lesser walked trails away from the majority of the visitors. The 360 view from the summit is quite a sight... After hopping off the ferry back on the mainland i decided to walk back to Clare's to see what sights i could find and made my way through the Auckland Domain which is a huge greenspace just East of the CBD. Finding an immaculate plant garden i stopped off for a few pics in there before making my way to Mt Eden, the highest Volcanic cone on the mainland where another 360 view awaits summiteers. I found Mt Eden quarry too just on the slopes to the North where i am hoping to meet up with the NZ Alpine Club tonight on their weekly meet.

Today i have been out with Clare and 13month old Charlie for a picnic by the beach and a coffee, stopping off at a few of the sights between the house and Mission bay, our picnic destination. The weather started bright and sunny, turned windy and then rained, only to brighten up again later. New Zealanders say if you dont like the weather, just wait 10mins and it'll change, which so far has been true! Not sure on plans for the rest of the week but should be out climbing with the local club tonight, meeting a friend for beers tomorrow, and buying a car this weekend too. I'm planning to check into a backpackers hostel for a few nights to meet up with some guys too who might fancy a trip somewhere in the newly aquired beast, will let you know!

Arrived!

Well after scooting half way across the world for 27hours, i arrived in Auckland this morning to a beautiful day of sunshine. The flight over was really good, no hold ups anywhere and really smooth, painless transfers. I landed a right result from London to LA, scoring myself into a "cot" seat which gives you all the legroom of sitting by an emergency exit, but none of the responsibility! All i had infront of me was enough room to lay a cot down, but there was no cot to be put there so i strecthed out in my window seat, enjoyed the almost continuous sunset and settled in to the journey.
11hours later we gracefully touched down at LAX and the sun then finally set after chasing it halfway across the globe, and after clearing immigration i collected my bags, walked out of arrivals onto the street, only to dissapear back inside to departures 30 seconds later. Quantas airlines were takin gme from LA to Auckland, and it was an incredibly comfortable flight, well stocked on fresh fruit snacks and juice whenever you wanted it, as well as two fairly impressive plane meals. I got talking to Canadian family at the gate before boarding who ran a farm on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border who were en-route to a wedding in Austrailia. Keen to hear about my onward travels, Ann (the mother) got my facebook and also gave me their address saying that i should stop by if i was back in Canada anytime. they were really nice and good fun to talk to whilst waiting to board. They were sitting only a few rows behind me on the plane so we talked a bit on the flight when getting up to wander round the plane and stretch legs.
The flight over was smooth and made for some fantastic viewing, i was gutted to have left my camera in the overhead as we passed right over the top of a huge weather front which stretched as far as the eye could see and was made up of billowing cumulo nimbus clouds marking the leading edge. Coming closer to NZ, the cloud cover changed to an almost complete blanket which dissapeared as quickly as it had appeared and NZ was in view. The flight over the coast was amazing, and Auckland itslef was so colourful from the air.
An efficient landing and immigration put me straight through to baggage claim in a matter of minutes, something UK airports could learn a thing or two from! After declaring all my hiking/climbing gear, i had to unpack in and fill forms out for it to be sent through a cleansing process which brought my boots out shiny, a drastic improvement from the muddy state at which i was attempting to enter the country with! With customs cleared, i walked out into arrivals just as Clare was walking in with Charlie in the push chair, perfect timing for the pick up.
A short drive later though some really nice looking neighbourhoods and we arrived back at Clare and Tony's house where lunch was grabbed before heading out for a short drive to the nearby 'Cornwall Park' to got see One Tree Hill, a beautiful viewpoint which allows you to look out over all of Auckland. Getting a rough sense of directions and locations, the sun was getting a little too high in the sky for Charlie who was due his afternoon nap so we headed back to Clares. Onto the laptop to send emails of safe arrivals, this is where i am up to now on my trip to NZ. The weekend looks like it'll be spent sorting out a couple of bits with the bank, getting my bearings and hopefully out on Tony's fishing boat too, as well as an invite to a BBQ on sunday already. Things are shaping up pretty well and i've only been in country for 5hours... :)

Defining me...

So what is it that defines me? I think if you asked any of my friends it would be the search for adventure, the love for the outdoors and the passion i have for climbing and mountaineering. The last 4 years have really been what i consider to have defined me. I found the right direction in life for me and had an amazing time along the way. I have climbed some great routes, in great places, with great people. So this is what it is all about, getting out there and cranking it hard on real rock, trad gear, pushing it and having a laugh along the way. There is Too much to put into a blog that is reminiscing over years gone by so i will write a little insert about the final, and possibly best way i ended those fours years before departing on the next big adventure. It was dubbed "Peak Attack"

Peak attack was the best way i could have ended my climbing in the UK before travelling to NZ. It all started with a crazy phone call between me and Matt...

"Lakes this weekend?"

"Nah, feel like The Peak, still a few routes there i am desperate to do before leaving"

"Which ones?"

"Flying Butress Direct, Chequers Butress, The Brain, Easter Island and The Sloth"

"Hmmm....Quite a list....Quite spread out to!"

"Aye, fancy hitting them all in a day....??"

"........................Sure, why not?!"

So that was it, plan was set. Starting out at Stanage on Flying Butress Direct this was a stiff route to jump straight on to and involved mild defeat on the heel hook and rock over that nearly bust Dan's ankle before victory was ours and the first tick of the day had been achieved.

Hopping into the car we set off for the next crag, Froggatt where Chequers Butress was on the list. Arriving to find someone already gearing up, we set out for Three Pebble Slab which Andy sent as his first E1 which rocked. Back to Chequers we hopped on and flew across the face on finger locks and bomber nut slots to the arete, marvelling at the jug before cranking over the top to finish one of the best routes in the Peak.

Curbar is just down to way from Froggatt so we chucked on the bags and set off towards Curbar edge. The guidebook says Curbar starts 50m past the End of Froggatt. OK, this may be the case but our route, The Brain did not. Bashing through bracken and trees we eventually found the right butress and hopped up. The start was amazing, a completely gearless slab with gritstone flakes the like i have never seen anywhere before. Up this is was time to tackle the main butress itself, before moving out onto the arete to finish in a glorious and airy position with the sun beating down.

Four routes down, we were motoring, just nip down to the Southern Peak and it was in the bag. Easter Island was next on the list, an intimidating limestone pinnacle which once on is totally committing. Matt took the lead, making a great show of battling up the face before stepping round into the groove to take a monster lob ripping out his top two cams.... Not defeated, he was back on and sent to upper section in great style. Light was fading at this point and setting up the abseil darkness had descended. After a fairly scary free hanging abseil, we made it to the ground only to find the ropes had become jammed when we tried to pull them down. Matt took the hit and prussiked up 35m of dynamic rope to free them. Finally both down on the ground with both ropes too, we took the decision that although The Sloth in pitch black would be great fun, it wasn't to be. A beer in the local pub ended a fantastic day and made for planning the mornings escapades to get out and send the Sloth first thing, which was what happened.

An awesome route that pulls through possibly the most famous roof climb in the UK, to climb in the handholds of greatness was a really good feeling...

So less than 24hours after starting out, we had climbed ultra-classic 6 routes from all over the Peak District on 5 different crags. I could not have asked for a better way to say goodbye to the Peak District that had kept me captivated for 4years

If i can find trips, friends and experiences half as good as those here in the UK, i will have the most amazing time in NZ i think...

T-Minus 28hours...

Right well this is it then i guess, i'm off. I've sorted out as much as i can do, anything that isn't done can either be done when i arrive or just not at all, i'd of put it to the top of the to-do list if it was that important i suppose. I headed down to the bank yesterday to send my money to my new NZ bank account and in the choas that ensued with forms, phone calls, checking with colleagues, re-filling forms, correcting forms, more phone calls, i think the money will be there when i arrive...
I also got a bunch of stuff to take with me out of cupboards and bags which i ended up just piling on a bed and not doing much more with so that i a job for today to actually pack it up ready to leave tomorrow. I'm just about to submit my application for a work placement at an outdoor centre which i hope i'll start in January after crusing around for a bit on the North Island and my Tax forms are enroute i hope to get me my tax back for this year which will be a nice little injection of funds when it comes through. Overall i think i'm pretty ready to head off, take a chilled out approach and hopefully get some climbing done within the first week or so as it has been too long since was last on some real rock!

Next post may well be from the other side of the world.... :)

What the hell to take...

Considering its 3 days till i leave i'm not really sorted any more than i had this time last week. I think the only thing i have done since is design my new tattoo that i want to get when i arrive. My bank details did come through though so at least i can sort some money out to be there when i arrive. I've got rid of my car too now so have to sort the paperwork for that, try and do a tax return before i go as well, and also pack up whatever it is that you take to the other side of the world for a year. I keep telling myself i'm not stressing about what to take, but i have found myself thinking about it more and more this week. I don't think i'm worrying about it, more wondering what i'll consider to be important enough to join me over there. Climbing gear is a definate, but how much to take is not so sure, Do they all just climb sport or will i actually find some trad to get stuck into?? Hiking gear will also get the nod, as well as winter gear too for climbing. How much weight allowance i'll have after that lot remains to be seen, but if i don't take it then i guess i didnt consider that i'd need it all that badly after all, and if i do, whatever i need can't be too inaccessible out there...

Am i ready...?

So where am i up to? Am i ready to leave?? What have i been doing?

Well so far i have sorted out all the important bits. My flight was booked months ago, i secured my visa for the year then too and got insurance to cover me too. So what else is needed?? Having never kicked off to the other side of the world before for so long, i really didn't know the answer to this question....

I started checking on the net, reading in books, talking to people who had been away and thinking about the kind of things i figured would need to be sorted.
So, as per usual for me, i wrote a list of things to be done and checked off before leaving, and looking at the list today, i must admit that i have cruised through most if it. Of the things that are not yet fully sorted, most of them are out of my hands at current and either i'm waiting on email or snailmail confirmation and then i'm pretty much set.

The small matter of packing and what to take to the other side of the world for a year has not yet been thought about to much, i'll deal with that a couple of days before flying i reckon....

So what else have i got up to? Yesterday i had an awesome day down in London where i went to the Bank of New Zealand to see Jason, a kiwi from Auckland who lives over here working for the bank, who set me up with my bank accounts, one of the last big things i needed to sort out before i leave. After sorting out the bank i went to the Tate Modern Gallery for a bit of wander around then met my cousins for few beers and a meal. To see london yesterday was a completely different experience compared with previous visits. I think my mindset has completely changed, and i was in London for a very different purpose than usual but it all came together to show me a new place which was exciting, interesting, stimulating and new. Armed with this, i felt like it was a warm up or test for dissapearing over to NZ, and it reassured me that i am making the right decision. It also gave me a little bit of head time to think about why i'm going to NZ... And the question still eludes me a touch. Seeing my cousins last night, i put this question to them and asked for their thoughts. It developed into a really interesting and intense discussion, pushing the realms of my comfort zone as i toyed with ideas to just bum it about, meeting people as i go, or to stop somewhere as a base for a while, meet people and get to know them, then branch out from where i end up settling for a bit on trips away with the people that i have met. Last week i would have told you that i was 100% set to be the traveller, buy a camper van and travel for a whole year. But yesterday, i seemed to have a bit of an epiphany, a realisation that i might want to stay somewhere for a while and get to know the area, the people, the culture, make friends and have experinces utilising local knowledge rather than just following the guidebook routes. Also as i am heading out on my own, it could be quite a lonely year just meeting people in passing, having an experience with them and then saying goodbye. I have also been in contact with an outdoor education centre on the north island with whom i am in the final talks of setting up a placement with. I have to make a decision soon on when i am to arrive with them and how long to stay for. Origionally i was thinking of doing a few weeks but now i am tempted to stop for a couple of months...really find out how they run things, get to know the guys there, have access to some great opportunities and see the outdoor industry in a new light, the way NZ run it. I think this can only be a good thing for professional development, but do i want to spend a year away working?? No, not the whole year, but i think some stablility after a couple of months there will be good for me. After that i can head off and see the things i am still yet to visit, and 6 months is plenty of time, especially if i can be fortunate enough to extend my visa to the 23 month allowance that is possible once i enter the country. I guess i've just hit a bit of a dilema in the last 24hours, maybe its cold feet as the trip is so close, maybe its more than that but my gut is telling me something that i think my head is trying to convince me is not true....

Give me another night to think on it and i reckon i'll have come to a decision on it all.... I trust myself with that

Leaving...

So it is a little under two weeks since i left Stoke to move back to St.Albans for the few weeks before heading out to NZ for the year.
Leaving Stoke was not what i expected at all. In all honesty i didn't know what to expect, how i would feel, how i would react, how others would react, and just generally what i would do. My final week culminated in a fantastic weekend where i went out on "Peak Attack" on the saturday with a few good friends and bagged 5 climbing routes from all over the Peak District that i had been wanting to do since first laying eyes on them over 4 years ago. I had always been saving them for a special day, putting them off as i wanted them to be just right, and i'm so glad i did.
My final night on the sunday was spent with a few beers with the greatest bunch of guys i've met over the last 4years and become really good friends with. A few pints were sunk, and i even got bought a bunch of flowers by Becca. Having never ever been bought flowers before, i did not know what to do, it was amazing, and totally unexpected! A mignight stroll round looking at the stars and heading to the adventure playground in the local park topped off a great night and everyone made their ways home. Lying in bed that night, i did not sleep much, i just lay thinking about where i had come from, what i had done, where i was going to and what i will do. Life felt really and trully awesome, i was so happy and even though leaving is a little hard, it was the right decision at the right time and i am so glad i made it.

Arriving back in St.Albans was a little odd too. I have generally only visited very briefly over the last few years, sometimes only being here for hours at a time before dissapearing again to some far off adventure or heading back to Stoke for work. This time however, i was to be here for 3 weeks, unheard of in recent times! Since deciding to head to NZ, i have really chilled out and slowed down, so i took a very relaxed approach to coming home. I've been out to see friends, visited family, relaxed on my own and begun to prepare ready to leave the country. I have a list of things to do but i am not stressing myslef to rush through, even ticking one or two off it per day is enough to know that i am getting ever more ready and prepared to go. It's funny that the little things i didn't consider might need sorting have reared themsleves, but nothing has caused a major stress at all. Checking the calendar today, it is now less than two weeks until i leave, which usually i would be panicking about, but it actually does seem like plenty of time to get things together, see those people who mean alot to me and then pack a bag and head off. I'm so excited to be arriving in New Zealand and all the possibilities that lay before me, it going to rock!

Final month...

Well since leaving work last week i embarked on my final week before i dissapear to the other side of the world. It has been packed with awesome trips, great climbing, some pensive moments, but most importantly the people that mean the most to me.

I have a very varied range of friendship groups in Stoke and it is important to me to ensure that i see them before i leave. Much of my life revolves around the outdoors, and many of the friends i have made here share my love. When thinking about how to spend my last month with the people i shall miss, heading out and enjoying the outdoors seems to be a no brainer. i have climbed in Yorkshire, the Peak district, North Wales and even been forced inside due to the rain on a couple of occassions, and although i do love climbing, these trips would have been wholly un-enjoyable without the company that i was with. We have bivvied on mountains and re-visited our favourite cafes and shops for one last time. It seems the most fitting way to remember the people and places that i shall miss so much by getting out and making the most. The happiness it brings us all to be out there is what drives us on and makes each day so special...

Final week of work...

Well i'm down to my final week of work here in the UK before i take myself a month to get everything together, see the people who mean a lot to me and whom i will miss whilst i'm gone, get out on the final few climbs that are on my must do list, and then head back to St.A to spend sometime with Mum and see my old mates who i've only managed to see oh so briefly over the last 4years. Stoke really took me. Moving up here for uni was the biggest and best decison i made but it provided me with so much opportunity that i was always away from home, away from St.A, and away from those who i grew up with. I am so happy to be heading back though to see them all again before i go. I've spoken to a few of them, and even got one who is talking of coming to NZ for a new year party to remember!
My last month of work has been a little odd in terms of home life as i have been living at a friends so not really got a set up there as it's so brief so planning for NZ has kinda taken a back seat but i've felt no need to push the planning, i'll be back in St.A soon and it'll be much more relaxed there so i can take days when i'm not working to get everything together and psyche myself for the biggest trip i've ever been on.

I've been looking at so many picture books, magazines, internet articles about NZ that i just can't wait to get out there, buy my van and get going!

Where to go...

One of the guys at work has been out to NZ a bunch of times over the last few years so i sat with him for a few hours after work and went through a load of photos of his, looked at places to go, things to see and how to do it. i'd already looked into getting hold of a van kitted out with a bed so i could live in this for a couple of months whilst i mooch around, and Mike said this was in his opinion the best way to do it. He's visited the northernmost tip, right down to the southern extremities, been as far east and as far west too. He's covered so much in between too so i count him to be very reliable. Mike is also very well connected out there so he has contacted the guys he knows to see if they can hook me up with some work, or point me in the right direction to find some. he knows a fair few guys who are either into the outdoors, work at outdoor ed centres, or work as freelance instructors and guides. He is also pretty sure he can set me up with a guide for Mt |Cook which is definately one of my goals whilst i'm out there.
Mike is also thinking of a career change so has aksed me to keep my eyes peeled for any jobs that may interest him whilst i'm there. Mike has done so much for me both here through work, and in helping me out with my plans for NZ that it'd be great to be able to find something for him that could get him out to NZ again so he can spend some time in a country that he trully loves, and also he will get to see Liam, his godson who from the way Mike talks about him, Mike is incredibly proud of him and would live to be over there to see him grow up.
I'm getting a lot closer to going now but have not really made any more progress with plans, but i'm not fussed. I'm still staying with the plan of not making a concrete plan. I'm going to take each day as it comes, live it to the max and relish every moment in a country i have been dying to see for years...

Breaking the news...

After handing in my notice at work i told my colleagues today that i was going to be leaving. The reaction was mixed to say the least, but it was at least positive throughout. Most of the guys were really stoked for me, chuffed i was making the break when i could and getting out there. Many said that they wished they had done something similar when they could, before life became committed and confusing. So far i only told one of the girls as most were not in today but Dawn said she would be really sad to see me go. I've always loved Dawn, totally like a cool aunty who you can have a right laugh with blaming my loud farts on in the staffroom, listen to stories of juvenile partying, but is also there looking out for me at all times, i shall definitely miss Dawn. In fact i will miss everyone at work. Like any workplace, it is not perfect and not without some issues, but in my opinion they are in the minority and it has provided me with an awesome two and a half years of fun times, allowed me to access some really great people and made me some very good friends.
A fair few of the guys have either visited NZ at some point or have family out there so i was bombarded with contacts and offers of houses to stay at and work to undertake when i arrive so I'm in no doubt now that this should be the best decision i ever make. I'd love to do some work in the outdoor industry out there so i can build me knowledge, experience and skills to be able to apply to future work, but i would also really like to try something completely new out there, get involved in some access and conservation work in some of the national parks out there, putting something back into a country that i think will give me far more than it can ever know.

Times a' changing....

Well today has been pretty eventful in the run up to New Zealand. I handed in my notice to work so have got a set date to be leaving that which will be a shame but also the start of something new and exciting. My final day will be the 29th September, leaving me the whole of October to sort myself out and get ready to fly out.
I've also sorted out a house for the next 5/6weeks here in Stoke and shall be moving in on the 9th September. My current house contract runs out on Saturday which will be the 5th, leaving me a few days with no fixed abode. This situation a year ago would never have happened, i used to be so stressed over knowing exactly what was going on and needed plans to be finalised well in advance so nothing was left to chance. Now, a year on i don't need that. I'm happy to just work it out as and when. I've chilled out immensely to a point that i know i am ready to take on life in another country on the other side of the world. I imagine i shall be dealing with a situation like this quite regularly when i get to a new place, not knowing anyone, not knowing what the plan is, taking and making opportunities as and when, free to make and break decisions as i please.

Already i can feel that making this break away has changed me as a person. When asking a close friend the other day if he thought i had changed since deciding to move to NZ, he answered with an unequivocal "yes, but for the better". He said i was happier now, and much more relaxed. This was reassuring to hear as i felt the same but was a little worried that people were viewing this new found happiness and relaxed nature as not caring anymore due to the fact i was leaving the UK behind.

I was out rock climbing a couple of days ago with some friends who i don't always spend a huge amount of time with but have been doing so much more recently and i had a talk with them about just how happy i was with life at the moment and they agreed too. I felt immensely lucky to have been out where we were, with people that i care alot about and who enjoyed my company, i was smiling from ear to ear thinking about where i came from to be here today, and what it meant to be heading away to hopefully find some more people in this world who are ahppy to be in my company, who will share my views, beliefs and morals, people who are friends waiting to be found...

Me, where i am and what i will leave behind...

Well i guess i should really update my current situation on here as to where i am, what i do and what is in store between now and leaving for NZ...



Currently i'm living in Stoke on Trent and have been here for the last 4 years. It has certainly come time to leave here and move on but upon deciding to get out of here, i was left with another decision.

WHERE??

Moving back home wasn't an option. The work i do is not as well provided for back home and having had so much time living on my own, i would not cope with losing that independence, as affording the rent in St.A would not be feasible. I didn't know about moving to a new place in the UK as i just couldn't settle on a place that would serve me well without a feeling of longing for somewhere else or something more. And from there i turned my attention to moving abroad. My brother left for Vancouver in January 2007 and is still there so i figured how hard can it be?? Not really was my answer! I applie for my visa, was granted it within two weeks and booked my flight. This was it, i was going to New Zealand.
I hadn't really formed a plan of where to go, what to do, how to do it, but i didnt mind that. I see myself a pretty resourceful so to me, just turning up in a town or city, i would be able to find somewhere to live, eat, work and meet people so my date was set for 4th November with little more than knowing that i was arriving in Auckland on the 6th November...

Since sorting that i have spoken to a friend who moved to Auckland a couple of years back and have sorted out that i can stay with her for a week when i land so i can find my feet and not have to sort myself right from the get go. Other than that no other plans have been made but i seem to be metally gravitating towards Christchurch on the South Island as somewhere to head to look for work, and people to meet.


So what do i do in Stoke? Well i currently work at an Outdoor Education Centre which mainly deals with primary school aged kids on a residential basis. The centre is based just on the southern tip of the Peak Distrct and provides me to phenominal access to a wide range of work with a great bunch of clients. I origionall came to Stoke to study at uni but since graduating and landing a job here, it sucked me in for another year.

When i am not working as an outdoor instructor, i am out there living it. I'm big into my rock climbing and mountaineering, and mountain biking right now. Almost every weekend i will be away in some part of the UK, or France more recently, getting the most out of my time and living the dream of just being out there, pushing myself to finds new places, new experiences, with a great bunch of people who share my love for the great outdoors. I will be sad to leave these people and this place behind for the time that i am away, but i will be leaving safe in the knowledge that i shall meet new people to share the new experiences i will have in NZ, who can show me another side to this world, and who can teach me new ways, which when i return i can meet up with the old crew again, tell my stories, listen to theirs, and get back to it just like we always did, having grown in different ways but still bonded by an eternal desire to enjoy the natural world and explore it in many modes; to climb it, hike it, ride it, paddle it, and most importantly, live it, Live that dream, the dream that keeps us going out there time and time again, and always brings that smile to our faces...

NZ so far...

So what have i sorted to date...


Well i guess the biggest of my list i have got through is managing to obtain a visa to permit me to travel to New Zealand in the first place. I have a working holiday visa which is valid for 12months. My 12 months will start on the day i enter NZ and i can leave and return as many times in that period as i wish. My conditions of the visa are that i do not undertake permanent work, and must now keep a job/study/training period longer than 3months. Other than that i am pretty much free to roam as i see fit in the country.



I have also booked my flight now. I elected to book a one way ticket to allow maximum flexibility of my trip as i may be able to extend my visa once in the county, or i may decide to head somewhere else before returning to the UK. It might cost me more in the long run, but i;m paying for the freedom in my opinion and that is what i want this year to be about.



I leave the UK on the afternoon of the 4th November and will arirve in Auckland after a connecting flight in Los Angeles on the 6th November. One of my old work colleagues lives in Auckland so i shall be spending my first week with Clare and Tony, with their little boy Charlie too. Clare is also pregnant and expecting their second in January. It will be great to see them again as it has been about 3 years since i last saw them, but also to have a local contact who can help me out in my first weeks in the country.



So far that is as far as my plans go once i am in the country, i've a few ideas of where to go and what to do which currently involves getting into a hostel in Auckland to meet some like minded folk and see who is up for a trip somewhere. From there i'm trying to sort a work placement at the national outdoor education centre on the North island which can be as short or long as i want, then make my way to the South Island for some adventures! My current feeling is gravitating me to Christchurch region, not sure why but just seems to be where my gut is saying to go. From there i'm hopfully score a place to live, find some work and then get out to the mountains for some trekking, climbing, alpining and skiing when the winter season hits. All in, i'm so psyched for it all but i know i've got more to sort here with wrapping up my life in UK before i leave, but more on that later...

So it begins...

So today is the day i start my blog. The cursor has been flashing at me for a while now, i've honestly no idea what to put on here. I guess i've started my blog now as i'm off to New Zealand soon for a trip that currently has no defined end point which is pretty exciting. So far i've scored myself a visa for 12months, booked a one way flight and now just want to get there! I've still plenty to organise between now and leaving but this is going to be my way of keeping everything together, trying to stay organised, but most importantly keep in contact and keep updating on my escapades on the other side of the world...