December 28
December 29
December 30
December 31
January 01
Sunday, January 07, 2018
Monday, January 01, 2018
NSW and Canberra 2018, January 01 (Double Down)
Off to Tuggeranong park run for an extra early 7:30am start on new year's day, but only a 10 minute walk from the hotel was good. On the way towards the start there was just non-stop cars arriving, everyone must have had an early night in Canberra.
I was just feeling generally tiredness during warm-up and the start. Had two runners with dogs decide to start up front, which is really annoying to try and run behind and then overtake without getting tripped up. The course was just a standard out and back along the lake and across a bridge, but had some tricky sharp corners.
Like almost every park run there was a few serious runners way out in front, and somehow I'm always around 10th. Got past a couple of the way back again to finish 8th about 19:15 but the course was slightly short for distance.
Had time go back to the hotel to shower and change before driving to the north side of the city for the Gungahlin park run at 9:30am, an even bigger crowd of over 500 and even more runners from athletics clubs. Trying to recover from the first run and then go again an hour later is almost impossible, so I knew I had no chance of a top ten and didn't try to go too hard.
I thought I'd started easy but was still under 20 minute pace, although with the late start time it what really starting to get hot. The course was probably better, a full lap of the lake but all on concrete footpaths. I did manage to overtake some people along the way, but there was a big group just too far ahead to try and catch so I had to settle for 14th but a similar time of about 19:30. Maybe I'll come back one day for a top ten.
Got changed and back in the car to start the drive home, I made it to Gundagai for lunch then just past the border before my back was killing, just gets so tight from driving so soon after running. Spent a couple of hours trying to stretch out in the passenger seat but didn't really help.
Steps: 6000 + 12.5km running
I was just feeling generally tiredness during warm-up and the start. Had two runners with dogs decide to start up front, which is really annoying to try and run behind and then overtake without getting tripped up. The course was just a standard out and back along the lake and across a bridge, but had some tricky sharp corners.
Like almost every park run there was a few serious runners way out in front, and somehow I'm always around 10th. Got past a couple of the way back again to finish 8th about 19:15 but the course was slightly short for distance.
 |
| Tuggeranong. |
Had time go back to the hotel to shower and change before driving to the north side of the city for the Gungahlin park run at 9:30am, an even bigger crowd of over 500 and even more runners from athletics clubs. Trying to recover from the first run and then go again an hour later is almost impossible, so I knew I had no chance of a top ten and didn't try to go too hard.
I thought I'd started easy but was still under 20 minute pace, although with the late start time it what really starting to get hot. The course was probably better, a full lap of the lake but all on concrete footpaths. I did manage to overtake some people along the way, but there was a big group just too far ahead to try and catch so I had to settle for 14th but a similar time of about 19:30. Maybe I'll come back one day for a top ten.
 |
| Gungahlin. |
Got changed and back in the car to start the drive home, I made it to Gundagai for lunch then just past the border before my back was killing, just gets so tight from driving so soon after running. Spent a couple of hours trying to stretch out in the passenger seat but didn't really help.
Steps: 6000 + 12.5km running
Sunday, December 31, 2017
NSW and Canberra 2017, December 31 (The Mist)
Time to check out of another hotel, didn't even really have time to unpack. I was feeling the delayed effects of my trail running from two days ago, some soreness from a high ankle sprain.
Less than 5 kilometres from the hotel was the Nike Outlet! Unlike the Melbourne stores they actually had good bargains, 30% off almost everything in the store. I just got another pair of shoes and some shorts, and didn't quite run out of money on eftpos.
Started driving the reverse of yesterday back to Wollongong, hoping to have a better day with traffic. About half way along there was a short burst of rain, which seemed to cause this really heavy fog and almost zero visibility, lots of cars even driving with hazard lights on. Couldn't drive the full 110km/h speed limit to be safe, but didn't cause too much delay and made it to Wollongong for a lunch break.
I guess Wollongong is a bit like Geelong, just a large city but not really much of a tourist destination on it's own. Drove a little further south to Port Kembla, past this massive steelworks factory. Had a look around at Hill 60 lookout but those steelworks kind of ruined the view in some directions.
Driving again along the coast to Kiama, I had planned to also stop before in Bomba but Jason didn't put the right GPS directions in, so just settled for Kiama. A small town but looked quite nice, not sure if there's always so many people stopping to visit the lighthouse and blowhole, or maybe it was a new year's eve thing. The blowhole I guess is just some way the rocks line up that causes the waves to shoot up through the middle, then everyone gasps when they see the water! I got a couple of photos, gave up waiting for a better shot, then walked off and missed out.
At least got to make a couple of stops today, but didn't want to arrive too late to Canberra so didn't try to add in anything else that was missed from yesterday.
The forest route to get back to the highway was about 25 kilometres of the usual slow bends, but further complicated by the return of the fog. Even after clearing the forest the fog stuck around for another half hour at least, it was still going when we stopped at Robertson to see the Big Spud!
Finally got back to 110km/h and bypassed Goulburn to save time as well, made it to South Canberra about 5:00pm.
After dinner and preparing for the morning, drove in to the city centre for the 9:00pm fireworks - kangaroos outside the hotel entrance, rabbits in the city parking lot, even a cat walking around, do they get along with rabbits?
I didn't know where a good viewing spot would be, but there was lots of people around city hill, so figured that would do. It might have been better being around the other side where they launched them in the plaza, but it actually was a good effect appearing over the tree line.
I went to get filled up on fuel on the way back to the hotel, only it's prepaid fuel after 9:00pm, what's this crap? So I just have to guess how much money I'll need, and hope I don't have money left over.
Steps: 11000
Less than 5 kilometres from the hotel was the Nike Outlet! Unlike the Melbourne stores they actually had good bargains, 30% off almost everything in the store. I just got another pair of shoes and some shorts, and didn't quite run out of money on eftpos.
Started driving the reverse of yesterday back to Wollongong, hoping to have a better day with traffic. About half way along there was a short burst of rain, which seemed to cause this really heavy fog and almost zero visibility, lots of cars even driving with hazard lights on. Couldn't drive the full 110km/h speed limit to be safe, but didn't cause too much delay and made it to Wollongong for a lunch break.
I guess Wollongong is a bit like Geelong, just a large city but not really much of a tourist destination on it's own. Drove a little further south to Port Kembla, past this massive steelworks factory. Had a look around at Hill 60 lookout but those steelworks kind of ruined the view in some directions.
 |
| The Gong. |
 |
| Port Kembla. |
Driving again along the coast to Kiama, I had planned to also stop before in Bomba but Jason didn't put the right GPS directions in, so just settled for Kiama. A small town but looked quite nice, not sure if there's always so many people stopping to visit the lighthouse and blowhole, or maybe it was a new year's eve thing. The blowhole I guess is just some way the rocks line up that causes the waves to shoot up through the middle, then everyone gasps when they see the water! I got a couple of photos, gave up waiting for a better shot, then walked off and missed out.
 |
| Kiama. |
 |
| It blows. |
At least got to make a couple of stops today, but didn't want to arrive too late to Canberra so didn't try to add in anything else that was missed from yesterday.
The forest route to get back to the highway was about 25 kilometres of the usual slow bends, but further complicated by the return of the fog. Even after clearing the forest the fog stuck around for another half hour at least, it was still going when we stopped at Robertson to see the Big Spud!
 |
| First documented evidence of visiting a big thing. |
Finally got back to 110km/h and bypassed Goulburn to save time as well, made it to South Canberra about 5:00pm.
After dinner and preparing for the morning, drove in to the city centre for the 9:00pm fireworks - kangaroos outside the hotel entrance, rabbits in the city parking lot, even a cat walking around, do they get along with rabbits?
 |
| Hotel receptionists. |
 |
| Car park attendants. |
I didn't know where a good viewing spot would be, but there was lots of people around city hill, so figured that would do. It might have been better being around the other side where they launched them in the plaza, but it actually was a good effect appearing over the tree line.
 |
| Fireworks. |
 |
| More fireworks. |
 |
| Other fireworks. |
I went to get filled up on fuel on the way back to the hotel, only it's prepaid fuel after 9:00pm, what's this crap? So I just have to guess how much money I'll need, and hope I don't have money left over.
Steps: 11000
Saturday, December 30, 2017
NSW and Canberra 2017, December 30 (Highway To Hell)
Started the day with the usual Saturday morning park run, except in Merimbula. The other option was Bega but it was a bit far away, although the course looked better. I missed the briefing for visitors but during the regular announcement they reiterated that the course is run over a very narrow boardwalk - one lane each way and shared with locals, not a very good choice for a course.
Because of the holidays hundreds of people had shown up, a record attendance. I made an effort to start fast to get across the bridge and on to the boardwalk near the front of the pack, to avoid any trouble. The boardwalk was quite tricky as they warned, I was lucky to not have to overtake anyone until after the halfway point, but regardless of that you still have to be very careful to watch out for other people walking in both directions to make sure you don't end up with a major collision - dogs and prams just add to the difficulty.
I was on the edge of the top ten which was a bit of a worry, but a few people dropped off on the way back and I ended up about 6th and just under 20 minutes. Back to the hotel to checkout already, and driving off towards Batemans Bay around 9:00am. That was until the traffic came to a complete stop in Moruya, a total disaster, it took about 30 minutes to get through a town only a couple of kilometres long. All of the roundabouts didn't help, but the real problem was the traffic lights at the end. They had about three sequences at the intersection and didn't seem to be giving any preference to the majority of cars trying to drive straight along the highway! Whoever designed these highways is an idiot for having them go straight through the middle of these small towns *and* installing traffic lights. It seems to be a lot more sensible in Victoria where there is a small detour off the highway to get to the towns usually.
Finally made it to Batemans Bay a bit behind schedule, cars everywhere again. I'm not sure if they had a good beach, but it seemed a lot bigger and maybe better than Merimbula otherwise? So it took forever to find a parking spot since everyone had come to the city centre for lunch apparently, and it was about 1:00pm by the time lunch was done and ready to resume driving again.
In my notes I had the NBL starting in Sydney at 7:30pm, so still plenty of time, but then on the tickets it said 5:30pm instead and still about four hours of driving to go. Probably due to being in a hurry it seemed like I got stuck behind every slow driver, and every overtake lane was still available *only* at the beginning of the steepest possible hill around. So annoying because my car seemed to have even less power than usual going up the hills, so I'd be stuck behind these idiots but then barely have enough speed to get around one of them going up the hill.
Had another one of those towns where traffic came to a stop, somewhere near Jamberoo maybe, I forget the name. This time there was a pedestrian crossing with crossing attendants - what a system. Lucky in our direction it was only about a five minute delay, it looked a lot worse going back the other way.
Swapped out of the driver seat after Wollongong as I was pretty sore after two long days of driving. Jumping in a car soon after running is probably the biggest reason though. Made the NBL with a whole 20 minutes to spare, but had to skip any other stops I had planned on the way. The whole Olympic Park precint was dead empty besides the basketball, so great for parking right outside the arena. Amazingly the Sydney Kings were winning at half time, but fell off afterwards. Got some dinner at Oporto's aka NSW Nando's but was too tired for much else and just went to the hotel afterwards. The free wifi was running at an awesome 5kb/s.
Steps: 5000 + 7.5km running
Because of the holidays hundreds of people had shown up, a record attendance. I made an effort to start fast to get across the bridge and on to the boardwalk near the front of the pack, to avoid any trouble. The boardwalk was quite tricky as they warned, I was lucky to not have to overtake anyone until after the halfway point, but regardless of that you still have to be very careful to watch out for other people walking in both directions to make sure you don't end up with a major collision - dogs and prams just add to the difficulty.
I was on the edge of the top ten which was a bit of a worry, but a few people dropped off on the way back and I ended up about 6th and just under 20 minutes. Back to the hotel to checkout already, and driving off towards Batemans Bay around 9:00am. That was until the traffic came to a complete stop in Moruya, a total disaster, it took about 30 minutes to get through a town only a couple of kilometres long. All of the roundabouts didn't help, but the real problem was the traffic lights at the end. They had about three sequences at the intersection and didn't seem to be giving any preference to the majority of cars trying to drive straight along the highway! Whoever designed these highways is an idiot for having them go straight through the middle of these small towns *and* installing traffic lights. It seems to be a lot more sensible in Victoria where there is a small detour off the highway to get to the towns usually.
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| We're on a road to nowhere. |
Finally made it to Batemans Bay a bit behind schedule, cars everywhere again. I'm not sure if they had a good beach, but it seemed a lot bigger and maybe better than Merimbula otherwise? So it took forever to find a parking spot since everyone had come to the city centre for lunch apparently, and it was about 1:00pm by the time lunch was done and ready to resume driving again.
 |
| Batemans Bay. |
In my notes I had the NBL starting in Sydney at 7:30pm, so still plenty of time, but then on the tickets it said 5:30pm instead and still about four hours of driving to go. Probably due to being in a hurry it seemed like I got stuck behind every slow driver, and every overtake lane was still available *only* at the beginning of the steepest possible hill around. So annoying because my car seemed to have even less power than usual going up the hills, so I'd be stuck behind these idiots but then barely have enough speed to get around one of them going up the hill.
Had another one of those towns where traffic came to a stop, somewhere near Jamberoo maybe, I forget the name. This time there was a pedestrian crossing with crossing attendants - what a system. Lucky in our direction it was only about a five minute delay, it looked a lot worse going back the other way.
Swapped out of the driver seat after Wollongong as I was pretty sore after two long days of driving. Jumping in a car soon after running is probably the biggest reason though. Made the NBL with a whole 20 minutes to spare, but had to skip any other stops I had planned on the way. The whole Olympic Park precint was dead empty besides the basketball, so great for parking right outside the arena. Amazingly the Sydney Kings were winning at half time, but fell off afterwards. Got some dinner at Oporto's aka NSW Nando's but was too tired for much else and just went to the hotel afterwards. The free wifi was running at an awesome 5kb/s.
Steps: 5000 + 7.5km running
Friday, December 29, 2017
NSW and Canberra 2017, December 29 (Magic Kingdom)
Left the hotel about 9:00am for the next stop at Merimbula - a grueling thirty minute drive. Stopped first at the Pinnacles Lookout and walked the loop track, some red rocks to look at near the beach, but you can't get down there unfortunately.
Drove through the tiny town of Pambula, didn't seem to be much to it, although I think they have some wetlands and a beach, that stuff just isn't next to the highway.
So continued to Merimbula - cars everywhere! I guess that's why it was hard to find a hotel, but I don't really see the reason, it's not like it's the Gold Coast or anything. Did a quick lap of the town and ended up at Rotary Park, got out to check the beach situation there, low tide so lots of sand bars you could walk out on - if you had appropriate footwear.
Walked though the town as well, just the usual shops and cafes, but found a magnet for the collection. Had some 'topfun' place at the top of the hill with a bowling alley, but only four lanes! I can't really remember the last time I went to Merimbula, since it was like thirty years ago, but wouldn't be surprised if it was similar back then.
Lunch, then drove out of town, had to made a quick stop at Magic Mountain to prove it exists - it's designed for young kids probably similar to Gumbuya Park. A few kilometres up the highway was another place called Mandeni Park that had a whole range of activities - golf, mountain bike course and archery?
Paid for the full size nine hole golf course instead of the 'pitch and putt' version. We got a golf bag with a lot of balls, and the guy said to hit over the water on the first hole. First shot - ten metres and straight in the water, second shot - got some air, almost made it but in the water again. Jason had two attempts and didn't even get close, so we went around to the alternative location instead of running out of balls on the first hole.
It was just a very casual course, except for all the kangaroos out on the fairways that don't seem to care what's going on. Somehow I was putting well, just not hitting very far or straight so taking too many shots to get there, might have got one par I think.
Time to check-in at the hotel, on this super steep hill which seems to be standard for Merimbula. The TV worked better and even had wifi this time. You need to have a credit card for check-in which is a bit of a ridiculous requirement when you think about it, most people own a credit card but not necessarily everyone. I suppose they ask for a cash deposit otherwise.
Drove back to the start of town to main beach, that's the actual name. According to the lifeguard signs it was 18 degrees and 0.5 metre waves, so not very exciting but good enough to spend a bit of time floating around.
We'd found a running track on strava that went through the bush, but it turned out to be much more sketchy than I was expecting. Some places where you had to stop running and climb up some rock face, I also almost rolled my ankle about three times. It wasn't really obvious which way to go in places, you just have to try and guess what would be the most obvious way and hope for the best. I'm not great at this as I always second guess and end up making the wrong choice. Made it to the golf course at the other end and back through the bush again somehow, about seven kilometres but quite hard work with the heat and elevation changes.
Got some dinner then had to get some rest for the morning park run, maybe should not have run in the afternoon right before it...
Steps: 17000
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| LET'S ROCK |
Drove through the tiny town of Pambula, didn't seem to be much to it, although I think they have some wetlands and a beach, that stuff just isn't next to the highway.
So continued to Merimbula - cars everywhere! I guess that's why it was hard to find a hotel, but I don't really see the reason, it's not like it's the Gold Coast or anything. Did a quick lap of the town and ended up at Rotary Park, got out to check the beach situation there, low tide so lots of sand bars you could walk out on - if you had appropriate footwear.
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| A beach with bars = bar beach. |
Walked though the town as well, just the usual shops and cafes, but found a magnet for the collection. Had some 'topfun' place at the top of the hill with a bowling alley, but only four lanes! I can't really remember the last time I went to Merimbula, since it was like thirty years ago, but wouldn't be surprised if it was similar back then.
Lunch, then drove out of town, had to made a quick stop at Magic Mountain to prove it exists - it's designed for young kids probably similar to Gumbuya Park. A few kilometres up the highway was another place called Mandeni Park that had a whole range of activities - golf, mountain bike course and archery?
 |
| The truth is out there. |
Paid for the full size nine hole golf course instead of the 'pitch and putt' version. We got a golf bag with a lot of balls, and the guy said to hit over the water on the first hole. First shot - ten metres and straight in the water, second shot - got some air, almost made it but in the water again. Jason had two attempts and didn't even get close, so we went around to the alternative location instead of running out of balls on the first hole.
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| Glad that's not me. |
It was just a very casual course, except for all the kangaroos out on the fairways that don't seem to care what's going on. Somehow I was putting well, just not hitting very far or straight so taking too many shots to get there, might have got one par I think.
 |
| It was like a kangaroo course. |
Time to check-in at the hotel, on this super steep hill which seems to be standard for Merimbula. The TV worked better and even had wifi this time. You need to have a credit card for check-in which is a bit of a ridiculous requirement when you think about it, most people own a credit card but not necessarily everyone. I suppose they ask for a cash deposit otherwise.
Drove back to the start of town to main beach, that's the actual name. According to the lifeguard signs it was 18 degrees and 0.5 metre waves, so not very exciting but good enough to spend a bit of time floating around.
We'd found a running track on strava that went through the bush, but it turned out to be much more sketchy than I was expecting. Some places where you had to stop running and climb up some rock face, I also almost rolled my ankle about three times. It wasn't really obvious which way to go in places, you just have to try and guess what would be the most obvious way and hope for the best. I'm not great at this as I always second guess and end up making the wrong choice. Made it to the golf course at the other end and back through the bush again somehow, about seven kilometres but quite hard work with the heat and elevation changes.
Got some dinner then had to get some rest for the morning park run, maybe should not have run in the afternoon right before it...
Steps: 17000
Thursday, December 28, 2017
NSW and Canberra 2017, December 28 (Eden Of The East)
The big trip started about 9:00am. I was almost out of fuel already so that wasn't a good start. Had to deal with two roadworks bringing all lanes to a standstill on the Monash before getting out of the suburbs and not having to deal with traffic for a while.
Made good time otherwise and stopped in Sale about 11:30am for an hour lunch break. Left again and drove past Bairnsdale and Oborst, just a quick stop for fuel again. The roads after Orbost were a bit annoying since it was one lane and sometimes took a while for overtaking spots, those stupid camper vans slowing everyone down like usual. It was a pretty warm day so had to keep alternating between the air-conditioning and windows down - but the mystery of which works better is still unsolved.
Finally made it to Eden after a long day in the driver's seat about 4:00pm. Had only started the search for hotels a couple of weeks before, so almost everything was booked in Eden and Merimbula and even Bega - or maybe Bega had none to begin with. Dropped off stuff at the hotel and stayed long enough to find that many TV channels had poor reception and the wifi wasn't connecting on the computer or phone.
Drove around Eden for a while before it got dark, the building for the killer whale museum looked interesting but it was already shut. There was a lookout in Rotary Park for actual whales, but it said something like they usually appear early in the day and only until November, sounds like my kind of job. Drove to the other end of the town, so basically five minutes, which had Curalo Lagoon and Aslings Beach. Probably a bit cold and late for the beach too, and I still don't own a pair of sandals.
Got some dinner and back to the hotel, it was closer to the main road than you'd like, so a bit noisy but didn't cause too much problem.
Then I got an sms at 4:30am, which is never good news. Apparently some fraud activity had been detected on my credit card the evening before, it was blocked immediately, so no idea why the text message comes hours later - in the middle of the night! So I sent back a confirmation, then an automated response saying to expect a call in the next half hour! The sms came from a random number and the call from a private number, so I was a bit sceptical and did not volunteer any information in case this was some clever scam, but turns out it was the bank as they provided all of my details and did not ask for any information. The bad news was my credit card was now cancelled and I had to wait 2-3 business days (over new year) for another one to arrive in the mail. Now have to remember how to use eftpos...
Steps: 6000
Made good time otherwise and stopped in Sale about 11:30am for an hour lunch break. Left again and drove past Bairnsdale and Oborst, just a quick stop for fuel again. The roads after Orbost were a bit annoying since it was one lane and sometimes took a while for overtaking spots, those stupid camper vans slowing everyone down like usual. It was a pretty warm day so had to keep alternating between the air-conditioning and windows down - but the mystery of which works better is still unsolved.
Finally made it to Eden after a long day in the driver's seat about 4:00pm. Had only started the search for hotels a couple of weeks before, so almost everything was booked in Eden and Merimbula and even Bega - or maybe Bega had none to begin with. Dropped off stuff at the hotel and stayed long enough to find that many TV channels had poor reception and the wifi wasn't connecting on the computer or phone.
Drove around Eden for a while before it got dark, the building for the killer whale museum looked interesting but it was already shut. There was a lookout in Rotary Park for actual whales, but it said something like they usually appear early in the day and only until November, sounds like my kind of job. Drove to the other end of the town, so basically five minutes, which had Curalo Lagoon and Aslings Beach. Probably a bit cold and late for the beach too, and I still don't own a pair of sandals.
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| Beach. |
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| Lagoon. Didn't take many photos. |
Got some dinner and back to the hotel, it was closer to the main road than you'd like, so a bit noisy but didn't cause too much problem.
Then I got an sms at 4:30am, which is never good news. Apparently some fraud activity had been detected on my credit card the evening before, it was blocked immediately, so no idea why the text message comes hours later - in the middle of the night! So I sent back a confirmation, then an automated response saying to expect a call in the next half hour! The sms came from a random number and the call from a private number, so I was a bit sceptical and did not volunteer any information in case this was some clever scam, but turns out it was the bank as they provided all of my details and did not ask for any information. The bad news was my credit card was now cancelled and I had to wait 2-3 business days (over new year) for another one to arrive in the mail. Now have to remember how to use eftpos...
Steps: 6000
Monday, December 11, 2017
Sunday, December 03, 2017
New Zealand 2017, December 03 (Overtime)
The flight home wasn't until the afternoon so had time for a 10km run back at Hagley Park before it got too hot.
Got another bus from the hotel to the airport, but still had a few hours left to waste. Just across the road is the International Antarctic Centre. They had luggage lockers about 10% what they would charge you at the actual airport so dropped off the bags and went for lunch. Similarly there's a big food strip across the road from the airport which is about ten times better than anything at the actual airport. Yet another reason to hate airports, it's like they don't even try.
Back to the antarctic centre, got some tickets and a map, they fill out the map when each thing is going to start next which helps a lot. First thing was one of those stupid 4D theatre things - with the water, wind and moving chairs being the fourth dimension for anyone who still doesn't know. It was just some footage around Antartica and some penguins and such, nothing too remarkable.
Next was the antarctic storm, you put on these rubber shoe covers (to not damage the ice) and a big jacket and go in this room where the lights go out and they simulate a storm with some big fans. Not a good idea to go there with shorts, but the face is where you feel it the most. Some guy took his kids in there but had to rush them out as soon as the storm began. According to the meter it drops from -8 degrees to -18 degrees with 40km/h wind.
The penguins didn't seem to be doing much due to the heat, and the husky dogs were just flat out lying on the ground. Some other rooms had various educational facts and stuff, and at the end a disappointing HD cinema room which just had a film with no narrator, seemed like stock footage.
Part of the ticket also gets you a ride on the hagglund vehicle. There's a special course built for it around the back, you just get thrown all over the place in the back of this thing, I actually didn't feel so well afterwards.
So that just used all the spare time, easy checkin at the airport again since it's not too busy, and thankfully the car was still running at the other end.
Steps: 10000
Got another bus from the hotel to the airport, but still had a few hours left to waste. Just across the road is the International Antarctic Centre. They had luggage lockers about 10% what they would charge you at the actual airport so dropped off the bags and went for lunch. Similarly there's a big food strip across the road from the airport which is about ten times better than anything at the actual airport. Yet another reason to hate airports, it's like they don't even try.
Back to the antarctic centre, got some tickets and a map, they fill out the map when each thing is going to start next which helps a lot. First thing was one of those stupid 4D theatre things - with the water, wind and moving chairs being the fourth dimension for anyone who still doesn't know. It was just some footage around Antartica and some penguins and such, nothing too remarkable.
Next was the antarctic storm, you put on these rubber shoe covers (to not damage the ice) and a big jacket and go in this room where the lights go out and they simulate a storm with some big fans. Not a good idea to go there with shorts, but the face is where you feel it the most. Some guy took his kids in there but had to rush them out as soon as the storm began. According to the meter it drops from -8 degrees to -18 degrees with 40km/h wind.
The penguins didn't seem to be doing much due to the heat, and the husky dogs were just flat out lying on the ground. Some other rooms had various educational facts and stuff, and at the end a disappointing HD cinema room which just had a film with no narrator, seemed like stock footage.
Part of the ticket also gets you a ride on the hagglund vehicle. There's a special course built for it around the back, you just get thrown all over the place in the back of this thing, I actually didn't feel so well afterwards.
So that just used all the spare time, easy checkin at the airport again since it's not too busy, and thankfully the car was still running at the other end.
Steps: 10000
- Christchurch
- 6 out of 10
- Good
- No earthquakes
- Bad
- City Centre empty
- Finished 10th at park run
- Lost hat
- Traffic
- Missed Out
- Running at Bottle Lake forest park
- Next Time
- Dunedin
- Queenstown
Saturday, December 02, 2017
New Zealand 2017, December 02 (All These Things That I've Done)
I had planned to go to Pegasus Town, about twenty kilometres north of Christchurch for the park run, but the course didn't seem very good. Instead went for the bigger event at Hagley Park right in the city, they had a modified course for the day but still *about* five kilometres.
So after about ten seconds that was a bad idea, six runners that were obviously from proper athletics clubs took off ahead at the start and weren't seen again. I find it a bit annoying when all these serious club runners turn up to the park runs and just smash everyone. The worst part is they don't even bring barcodes to register their name in the results, so it just fills up the top of the table with a whole bunch of 'unknown' and probably aren't volunteering much or at all.
Back to the running, not to recount a boring running story in detail, but I was somewhere in the next pack of runners after those guys, got into a sprint finish with two guys in the last kilometres which I would have preferred not to do, but got ahead of them and ended up being 10th spot. My goal had been to finish in single digits (1st to 9th) at every park run, for no reason other than it looks good on the results history page. So will have to be finish in the top 10 now. Or go back to Christchurch...
Sweating like crazy after a hard run, but drove over to the farmer's market at Riccarton Bush before going back to the hotel. Pretty good market, heaps of different cakes and donuts and other stuff. Not sure about their interpretation of a cronut though, it was basically a donut.
Drove to Bottle Lake forest park next, I had planned to come along earlier in the week and try run of their running routes, but ran out of time for that. Instead walked part of the way, it was quite confusing because there was so many intersections and some tracks were for bikes instead of runners. Some of the track was sand too, which was annoying, but then reached the forest part which was better. Don't think I came across a bottle lake though.
Just past the park was New Brighton, and probably old Brighton too, next to the beach. Like any beach ever it was really hot and bright, too bad I left my sunglasses at the hotel. I love the heat, but hate feeling like my skin is on fire, not sure how that works exactly. After lunch went down to the water - South Pacific Ocean I suppose - the sand was almost in flames too, and I didn't even pack sandals! I still had keys in my pocket so only went about knee deep, but if it works for footballers rehab I guess it could work for me too.
Nothing much else to see so drove back to the hotel to clean out the car and return it. Filled up with fuel on the way, got stuck with another attendant who got to the pump before I could tell him I could manage myself. Awesome job by this guy too, I caught a glance that he spilled petrol down the side of the car while connecting the hose, then instead of cleaning it up just tried to stand in front of it to hide it. Lucky it wasn't my car, but really, you have one job to do and can't do it right.
Dropped of the car, think I must have left my hat inside. It was a bit old and inexpensive, just annoying to have to walk around without a hat the rest of the day. So just back to the city again, visited the cardboard cathedral that is somehow waterproof, a few scattered bits of street art, earthquake memorial and a few other places. Had dinner then went back to the hotel to pack.
Steps: 21000 + 8km run
So after about ten seconds that was a bad idea, six runners that were obviously from proper athletics clubs took off ahead at the start and weren't seen again. I find it a bit annoying when all these serious club runners turn up to the park runs and just smash everyone. The worst part is they don't even bring barcodes to register their name in the results, so it just fills up the top of the table with a whole bunch of 'unknown' and probably aren't volunteering much or at all.
Back to the running, not to recount a boring running story in detail, but I was somewhere in the next pack of runners after those guys, got into a sprint finish with two guys in the last kilometres which I would have preferred not to do, but got ahead of them and ended up being 10th spot. My goal had been to finish in single digits (1st to 9th) at every park run, for no reason other than it looks good on the results history page. So will have to be finish in the top 10 now. Or go back to Christchurch...
Sweating like crazy after a hard run, but drove over to the farmer's market at Riccarton Bush before going back to the hotel. Pretty good market, heaps of different cakes and donuts and other stuff. Not sure about their interpretation of a cronut though, it was basically a donut.
Drove to Bottle Lake forest park next, I had planned to come along earlier in the week and try run of their running routes, but ran out of time for that. Instead walked part of the way, it was quite confusing because there was so many intersections and some tracks were for bikes instead of runners. Some of the track was sand too, which was annoying, but then reached the forest part which was better. Don't think I came across a bottle lake though.
 |
| Think where we'd be without sand. |
 |
| Bottle Lake forest. |
Just past the park was New Brighton, and probably old Brighton too, next to the beach. Like any beach ever it was really hot and bright, too bad I left my sunglasses at the hotel. I love the heat, but hate feeling like my skin is on fire, not sure how that works exactly. After lunch went down to the water - South Pacific Ocean I suppose - the sand was almost in flames too, and I didn't even pack sandals! I still had keys in my pocket so only went about knee deep, but if it works for footballers rehab I guess it could work for me too.
 |
| Brighton. |
Nothing much else to see so drove back to the hotel to clean out the car and return it. Filled up with fuel on the way, got stuck with another attendant who got to the pump before I could tell him I could manage myself. Awesome job by this guy too, I caught a glance that he spilled petrol down the side of the car while connecting the hose, then instead of cleaning it up just tried to stand in front of it to hide it. Lucky it wasn't my car, but really, you have one job to do and can't do it right.
Dropped of the car, think I must have left my hat inside. It was a bit old and inexpensive, just annoying to have to walk around without a hat the rest of the day. So just back to the city again, visited the cardboard cathedral that is somehow waterproof, a few scattered bits of street art, earthquake memorial and a few other places. Had dinner then went back to the hotel to pack.
 |
| Cardboard cathedral |
Steps: 21000 + 8km run
Friday, December 01, 2017
New Zealand 2017, December 01 (I'm On A Boat)
Another driving day from to Christchurch to Akaroa. Lucky I wasn't driving today as the route wasn't much fun, far too many turns around the side of a mountain to get to the bay. The town was old fashion French style despite the name, a bit different.
Had to walk all the way down to the other end of the town for the boat docks, got some tickets for a two hour boat ride, not sure exactly where it was going. Everyone started lining up early so we were near the back of the queue, most people chose to go up to the top deck in the sun, so that didn't bother me. I went inside until we got going, then out to the back of the boat for a better view. Sadly all of the action was happening at the front, but it was too packed to get a good spot up there anymore. We still got some dolphins and penguins at the back, but not as much. On the way back probably got a better view of the seals and birds that were hanging out on the coast at least, not really the same thing though, these seals don't even do any tricks.
Time for lunch then drive back to the city. Maybe halfway back to Christchurch the fuel light came on earlier than I expected, and there's really no towns or petrol stations along the way. Found a petrol station before the car started to hiccup, many of the stations still have attendants to fill up the car for you - more on that later.
Had a game of mini golf on the way back, the course was alright but as usual the surface is uneven so the ball goes in whatever direction it chooses, that's my usual excuse although I did have a good score. Even with the 50km/h speed limit it was still very slow getting around in the late afternoon, I thought since we were going so slow it might mean less stopping and starting, but no.
Steps: 8000
 |
| Akaroa, it's French for Akaroa. |
Had to walk all the way down to the other end of the town for the boat docks, got some tickets for a two hour boat ride, not sure exactly where it was going. Everyone started lining up early so we were near the back of the queue, most people chose to go up to the top deck in the sun, so that didn't bother me. I went inside until we got going, then out to the back of the boat for a better view. Sadly all of the action was happening at the front, but it was too packed to get a good spot up there anymore. We still got some dolphins and penguins at the back, but not as much. On the way back probably got a better view of the seals and birds that were hanging out on the coast at least, not really the same thing though, these seals don't even do any tricks.
 |
| Some dolphins. |
 |
| Seals usually blend in with the background. |
Time for lunch then drive back to the city. Maybe halfway back to Christchurch the fuel light came on earlier than I expected, and there's really no towns or petrol stations along the way. Found a petrol station before the car started to hiccup, many of the stations still have attendants to fill up the car for you - more on that later.
Had a game of mini golf on the way back, the course was alright but as usual the surface is uneven so the ball goes in whatever direction it chooses, that's my usual excuse although I did have a good score. Even with the 50km/h speed limit it was still very slow getting around in the late afternoon, I thought since we were going so slow it might mean less stopping and starting, but no.
Steps: 8000
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