Tasmania

Well I made it to Tasmania and back in one piece

A friend of mine Jose was going out there to meet some friends and do some climbing so after checking the cheap Jet Star flights a plan was made and we ended up flying to Tasmania on Saturday the 14th march..

After arriving and checking into the hostel which had been previously booked on-line we discovered than no record of the reservation had been received.. So I ended up sleeping on the Sofa which would have been fine apart from the rowdy drunken group who were half cut when we arrived at about 22:30.

After Jose checked in we headed for Pizza and I decided to stop out for a few drinks to give the noisy people in the hostel a chance to quieten down as I was sleeping in the communal lounge which had been fairly busy when we went out..

I arrived back shortly about 12:45 to find out that the group had made no attempts to quieten down and were being ejected from the hostel. I was also informed of the car which had been burnt out in the hostel car park and decided that a peaceful nights sleep was out of the question.

I awoke about 8:45 the next morning.. Jose had gone to locate his friend from the US Gabe who is studying in Australia so I unfolded myself from the sofa and we all met up and went for breakfast which was nice but exceptionally overpriced but gave us a chance to chat and formulate some form of plan.


We met up with some fellow climbers and travellers and got the local take on where would be best to head... it didn't look good and the rain appeared to be moving in but our time here was limited and we wanted to make the most of it.. we jumped into the hire car and headed out towards Freycinet, a small peninsular on the east coast which is mostly national park.

On the way we stopped at Anaconda (the big Australian outdoor store) in the hope of finding the climbing guide as all efforts had failed due to shops not opening on a Sunday, we also looked at the chances of obtaining some camping equipment.. Whilst we couldn't hire any form the store one of the employees, Drew with a pink mohawk said he could lend us a tent.. winner...

So with our recently acquired climbing guide and camping kit we headed of to Freycinet, however as the first night was raining we decided to stop at the hostel on the camp site which also proved to be useful as we were able to liberate a number of cooking utensils which were to come in most useful.

The first day in Freycinet we went for the tourist walk up and over to wineglass bay then back through the bush to the other side of the peninsular and around to the car park.. the sun came out by the time we started and we enjoyed wonderful weather and views and resolved to go climbing the next day.

We camped that night on the beach and the wind picked up and it rained but the tent held and the grey morning invited us to change our plan but we knew the weather was blowing through and it would clear so we packed up and spent the next 4 hrs. trying to find the Crag which was only 1.5hrs walk in.. however due to unmarked paths a guide book written by someone who cant tell the difference between feet and meters and a hillside full of cairns leading in every direction but the one we wanted it turned into a hike to the top of Mt Amos which overlooks the hazards range and down to wineglass bay and the circuit we had walked the previous day..

After our failure at climbing on what we would have liked to be a climbing trip we ran to Launceston and spend a few days at the sports climbing venue of Hillwood a short 45 minute drive away. This proved to be just what was in order however there were serious doubts about the solidness of the rock but a few classic lines were sent and we had a great time before we left for the delights of Cradle mountain. Perhaps the must see area in Tasmania. The drive along the winding road took us past a small town called Sheffield so I stopped for a photo or two and we went past Mt Roland with a great 350meter easy climb up the shoulder which promised to be a great adventure for the willing.. however due to the state and condition of various ankles a bit of inexperience and lack of helmets on we opted to spend the next day walking the start of the Overland trail up to Cradle mountain.

We could not have picked a better day. It is said that the summit of this peak is in cloud for over 320 days per year and we didn't see a cloud all day. The peat bogs and moorland plateau that runs south through three national parks is stunning and the vista provided from the summit was fantastic. This day was the highlight of the trip so far and made any disappointment about the decision no to do the multi pitch on Mt Roland rapidly dissolve.

The 5 or 6hr walk was completed and we stopped of at the camp ground to cook dinner before a long drive through the evening back to Hobart where we were offer accommodation in a house of climbers.

The next morning we raced of to the Tasman Peninsular to take a look at the Famous Totem Pole. Which is a great finger of rock although dwarfed by the candle stick that sits next to it, its steeped in climbing infamy.

We were also greeted by the view of a huge pod of dolphins over 50 strong swimming around the coastal waters and playing, I assume they were in pursuit of a school of fish but it made the walk and the experience all the more rewarding when looking down from the cliffs to the clear ocean with such a scene laid out before us.

After camping the night and cursing all the possums that tried to creep up on us as we made out meal we left for Hobart and the flight back to our respective homes.. Iv now done my washing an am packing some things to send home before my last trip.. this one to Mt Arapiles where I hope to get some climbing done before my return to the UK.

photos are also now on flickr..

Mind dump... am i old???

Well life's not bad..
Yep its had a few let downs.. and sometimes everything has felt like it was an uphill struggle when even keeping afloat seemed questionable but the tide appears to have changed,
as I ponder this un-original and lazy metaphor it's perhaps not life that has changed but more my interpretation of it that has undergone the transformation..
At very near the age of 30 I found myself thinking about what my life's amounted to. It would be easy to say not a lot. Financial I'm worse of now than I was 2 or 3 years ago and I have no job, again.
however the thought of this doesn't bother me like it would have done a few years back, and my life is not measured by financial rewards or goals, it measured in moments. Perfect memories of locations, times, friends, emotions, activities all intertwined and mapped out in the neurons of my brain.
The past 18months has been an adventure which I feel will mould the rest of my life.. and each experience in my life leading up to and including the past 18 months has played its part in my arriving at this point, this time, and this place in the state I am.
I've been aware that I'm getting older and that my ideals have adjusted and been constantly updated as new experiences and challenges have appeared, therefore my interpretation of my life and the experiences I desire have moved and changed accordingly. This is nothing new and is standard practice but it usually just happens on autopilot. Its rare to actually sit down and think about these things, and in doing so its nice to reflect on my life so far.
Whilst I'm not poor I'm definitely very far from being rich. I have a house.. well most of one. I have no major costs, I have my health.. my body still works the way it should do.. although it's a long time since reading the instruction manual but everything appears to be in working order. Arms, legs, fingers all bend in the right directions. Brain gets a bit cloudy from time to time but clears up after a cuppa tea. I have good friends who I have made along the way, and a few I have lost.
So despite almost being 30 I'm optimistic about the future, Enthusiastic about the places and the adventures I've have had so far, Energetic with excitement about the adventures I still want and know I will have, but most of all happy that I'm living my life honestly and happily and I have someone I love.

St Kilda Festival

Well i'm still looking for another job and hope to get one soon. In the meentime i'v had a chance to get to know Melbourne a little better.
As its summer the festival season is upon us and I spent Sunday at the St Kilda festival.. It runs for a week but the Sunday is by far the main event. It has a bit of everything. Music on 4 stages from Latin and Samba through to Metal and Rock with just about everthing in between.
Some were good and some I wish I had brought along the ear plugs for.
Also on show were the talents of some Freestyle BMX riders. A bit of a Bike trail demo, Kite boarding which it must be said looks so much fun.. (shame it costs so bloody much to get out and learn it. ) some graffiti artists and of cause it wouldn't be right to be this close to the sand and not have some beach volleyball. These are just the few things I got to see and have uploaded a stack of pics to my flickr site..
After the heatwave it was nice to have a cool and overcast day so I didn't add to the sunburn which im hoping will develope into a tan rather than peeling skin making it look like I have leprosy.
The day was great fun and It wouldn't be a trip to St Kilda without a stopoff at one of the many cake shops on Acland St for some much needed sweet food. Shame I like food so much as i'm sure its restricting my climbing..
the highlights of the day for me were watching the BMX freestlye the kiteboarding and Dan Sultan and his band. Plus some of the cool street performers.
I'm disaponted that I missed the Barisilian Samba and the Capoeria show but it was impossible to see everything.
I hope you enjoy the photos..

Climbing hopes gone..

Well after training indoors on the plastic I finally got to feed the rat as it was..

I hired a car got hold of some gear and Jose and me headed to the Grampians..
We were psyched for some proper climbing.. we had a full rack some hangers. Two ropes.

It was hot. Its been a heatwave but after China we were sure we could cope with the heat and find somewhare in the shade to climb..

We arrived in the Grampians on wednesday night and got to Mt Stapylton campsite where we had been advised their were some good areas with quality sports and trad routes so we could ease back into being on the sharp end again..

It was still baking as the sun was setting and while pitching the tent and sorting out gear we got a bit of information from a few other climbers at the site before scouting out the path to our chosen crag..Sentinel Cave.
The topo looked awsome. It painted a picture of steep overhung jug pulling on solid sandstone and friendly bolts.. non of this having to place hangers then draws.. we were in for a real treat..

The next day after an early breakfast we set off to the chorus of a low buzzing...
the sound got louder as the 15-20 minute walk in continued and reached fever pich as we passed / climbed over a wasps nest on route to the crag... still not deterred and happy to find the crag in the morning shade we put down our sacks and started to stare in wonder at the routes..

Then it all went wrong.. a swarm of flys decended upon us and the relentless onslagught of these pestilent creatures drove us insane.. we used every trick at our disposal.. even the breeze did nothing to restrain them and killing them by the dozen's made no impact on the overwhelming numbers of our tenacious foe.

With no options remaining we fled to the car, packed up and retreated to Arapiles but to our dismay this was subject to the full force of the sun and the flys were still in defense of the crag repelling all would be suitors of these magnificent and stunning walls of now polished rock.

Why no mention of this fiendish foe was fortold or advised in the guide we can only guess.. but its just not cricket.

After our failure on rock we salvaged what we could and ran to the cost in search of waves and salvation from the days woes. Despite not finding the free campsite we sorted suitable accomodation and food, and enjoyed a session of surfing on friday morning before a drive back to Melbourn and a 3.5hr session of climbing at cliffhanger, the indoor wall.

My arms are spent. I'm sun burnt again.. and I still have no job.. but the idea of becoming a surf bum is formulating in the back of my mind.. at least until it becomes cold enough to drive the defending flys away, so as battle can be done upon the rock of Victoria..

Year of the Ox

Well we are no into the year of the Ox.

I have settled into a form of normality and am just coming to the end of two months work with PWC. Hopefully I find another contract soon so as I’m not out of work too long and can try to save some money..

I went away over the weekend 24-25 Jan. no not to the rock but to the beach for a spot of surfing which was refreshing and enjoyable given the recent heat, and with the mercury hovering around 40 degrees of late it promises to make this coming weekend a sizzler as well.

Unfortunately Maria.. (the friend who I went surfing with) ended up falling over and making a mess of her self so the weekend was cut short a bit and a return to work following the bank holiday Monday has been welcomed due to the wonderful delights of air con…

I have also bumped into someone who I knew when back in china.. Jose Molina who has access to a car so with luck I can start to get out on the rock and see just how weak I have become after two months of work... although I hope the frequent trips to the climbing wall and cycling around has prevented a total deterioration.

I have also booked my flights back to the UK.. I have a ticket getting me into Manchester on the 28th of April so now I just need a couple more month of work to keep the coffers from running dry and enable me to enjoy life in the sun before my return to the UK.

Will see you all in the summer.

that time of year again.

Well it’s almost Xmas again… Have I been away that long…
Well it’s only about 15 months.
Its hard to believe its Xmas. Despite all the decorations in town and the late night shopping’s, my brain just isn’t wired to recognise sunny weather as xmas. I need the cold and the dark for it to register but I’m not complaining.

When I went to the station yesterday to get the train to work they we handing out free coffee and some chocolate covered marshmallows things, they also had a bloke dressed as Santa wandering around but it still didn’t feel like xmas.. I think I must just be getting old..
I have a job now, Although I’m still waiting to get paid, I’ve found a nice place to live and with luck I can start saving the pennies. Not that they are worth much now.
I have no real plans for Xmas or New year but am sure I will sort something out as everyone here takes two weeks of work.. Essentially everything closes down which is something I’m not so used to and also a bit disappointing as its two weeks without work or pay. But I can use the time to update this page and put a few of the photos up on my Flickr site and with luck I can even get away climbing for a few days on proper rock and everything.

Well I hope everyone enjoys Xmas and the New year, hope you have a good en. I think i will make it back to the UK in 2009.

shirts

Well i'v just spent my Saturday morning in a quest for shirts... i started in Richmond on bridge st, went to several stores all of which promised big discounts in big letters.

However upon closer inspection the prices still made me turn and run. most of the places didn't have white work shirts the options available would make me look like a lump of seaside rock candy.
The prices were not even realistic from about $60 to over $200. I was most offended by the idea that people pay money to look like such plonkers.
After several shops all sporting the same designer crap i started to long for a reasonable shop or department store which would have cheap white plain cotton shirts.

I ended up in smith street after a small detour via Victoria parade which is lined with Asian supermarkets and stores and non of which sell any of the good dofugan.

Disappointed but not disheartened i walked on and after arriving on smith st i found what i was looking for... i got 3 shirts for $45, still no dofugan though... but a small victory and i can now have a shirt for each day without looking too much like a plonker..

Its one of those days as now its raining and my almost dry clothes which i hung out earlier and now very wet again... I do so miss traveling when non of these things really bothered me but work is a requirement these days. At least its not snowing yet and its generally nice sunny weather with blue sky's.