Opportunity...

A while since my last post, and i guess that has been a lot to do with a mojor relocation for me. Having been based out of Auckland for the last couple of months i have moved myself down the North Island to the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre where i am half way through a work placement with them. Mostly i have been maintaining the centre and working on projects, which is a little different to what i hoped i might find, but is actually a super big positive step for me. NZ is a lot more relaxed with the lifestyle, working arrangments and opportunities. The centre itself is massive too, with a huge amount of resources to use. Since being here i have really developed my manual and practical workmanship, designing, building and finishing a multitude of projects around the centre such as complete renovation af an old workshed which i am higely proud of, and next week i start work on erecting a fence system for point s around the place. There is a lot more freedom and iniative opportunities here, and i relish that. In the workshop i have been welding and power tooling my way though massive amounts, i've learnt to drive a tractor and operate the front bucket efficiently, i'm out this week for two days on a chainsaw handling course; the opportunities are endless. I definatelt learn well in practical situations, and this place has brought me on leaps and bounds with a vast array of new skills i can take forward in life. As well as working in a more manual labouring environment than i was in the UK, i am still alongside the instructional staff here with some work, which is great, plus it leads onto many trips and excursions at weekends and on our downtime. I've been out kayaking the Tongariro river, Canyoning in the Mangetepopo, Climbing in Wharepapa, Mangetepopo Valley and Whanganui Bay, and plently of socialising with a few beers and a fire which everyone needs from time to time. I also will have the opportunity to spend a week co-instructing with one of the full time staff here which i will put 110% into to ensure that i get the most out of that time as possible, an experience that i am sure will lead onto other things. Having spoken to the centre manager and training officer last week, there is an intake of new staff coming up and i will apply for that full time post and see how it goes. There may also be an intake in September too which would allow me to access a winter season on the South Island between now and then, which would in my view make me a far more versatile, well rounded, suitable and valuable instructor at OPC.

A year of travelling could well lead to more than that... Exciting eh?