Alas, I have arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand and let me tell you, I am mightely (not sure that that's a word - but it should be) impressed. A lovely small, compressed, relaxed, chilled, ..
Its certainly been an eventful couple of days. New timezone, new country, new city, new sim card, new car, new house, new adventure... oh my goodness I am exhausted :) Its all good. For those of you who wanna contact me - my new zealand number is +64211433508 - but I'll still be checking my irish number randomly :)
May 26, 2007
Lunch in the Hills
Myself, Kate and a friend of hers, Jodee went for a proper girly lunch in the hills close to Melbourne yesterday. It was like being in a time warp. This tiny little village was out of the 1950s. We had lunch in an old converted church, surrounded by antiques. The service alone was a novel experience. Two elderly women and an elderly man - slowly pottering about the place taking people's orders. The man wouldn't give me a coffee and only wanted to sell us scotch. Eventually I settled for water (it was only 12 noon). Along side the antiques they had a singing deer hanging from the wall and dancing santa dressed as a monk... but they did have a very pretty rose garden.
Navigation through Melbourne
You'll all be proud and I have no idea how I managed it. But somehow I managed on my own to navigate myself without getting lost from Torquay into Melbourne along the Princes Hwy, to turn off onto Ballarat road, find epson road, and Maryibyrong road, Randall street and finally find 3 Dale street in Maribyrong then navigate myself all the way back to the Princes Hwy and head 40 KM (its a sprawling mass) across to the other side of the city and find Day Crescent where Kate lives. I have no idea, my mind boggles, not once did I get lost or make a wrong turn and might I add in the dark. Somebody was watching out for me :) Funnier still, when I was driving through dale street looking for the right house, I stopped to check the address and realised I was actually parked outside the house I was looking for.
May 25, 2007
Great Ocean Road
After a morning of installing car seats with Bronte for baby Tadhg, we left for the airport to pick up my hire car ( BIG RED :)
and I set off on my way along the Great Ocean Road. I took off on the A8 towards Melbourne via Tailem Bridge and then headed towards the coast and onto the Princes Hwy. I decided to get the bulk of the driving under way the first day, as the pretty stuff is closer to Melbourne. So I drove as far as Mt. Gambier, stopped for some food and the continued with the aim of finding one of the national parks near Nelson. Did I what? Oh my goodness, the best laid plans are meant to be broken and all that - well trying to navigate by yourself in the dark, whilst watching out for kangaroos, is not easy, believe you me and the next thing I knew I was in Portland. So now, we have a very tired Carole, with no where to stay, in the middle of nowhere, not so good. Out with the map - ok - next stop Narrowong, and it appears to have national parks close by. Right I will try that. So I drive to Narrowong, and keep my eyes peeled for street names - nothing, nada, yikes. I turned around and started driving in the other direction in the hope, still nothing and at this point I was very tired. Then I see a sign post for a caravan park. Hmm, I check it out. So I drive in and check out the prices on the notice board. Yikes, that was too expensive for my liking. But I did notice the picnic area, with the no camping sign, just out side the campground. PERFECT :) That will do, so I pulled the car up onto the grass, got my sleeping bag out, and curled up on the passenger seat. I awoke to sunrise and the sight of a puddle of water around the car. It really must have rained a lot during the night, and boy I must have been tired not to notice.
The day started off badly, I couldn't get my stove to work, so I couldn't have my morning coffee. What is a girl to do? Nevermind, my mind was soon occuppied by the magnificant full circle rainbow that was appearing before my eyes. Who needs coffee, eh?
I set off again to encounter wonders that be the Great Ocean Road. First stop Port Fairy, with its quaint little bakeries and cafes (ah ha - breakfast :), art galleries and gift shops, all of which appeared to named Dublin of Belfast.
The afternoon was spent driving along the coastline visiting the 12 Apostels, Bay of Islands, The Arch, London Bridge and many more of the wonderful and dramatic coastline architecture. Although the weather wasn't great, it gradually picked up as the day went on - making for an awesome sunset.
I decided to camp in the Ottway National Park in a little area called Port Franklin. According to the description it was just off lighthouse road. Sounds easy to find, but nothing ever is. Instead of finding my way to Port Franklin, I managed to find my way onto PRIVATE PROPERTY, yikes, which the lady of the house kindly informed me.... ahem.. although when she realised that I was just lost and
hadn't realised that I'd driven into her back garden she pointed me in the right direction. So off I trot again, eventually finding my way into a national park and up to a closed gate. Picture it though, its dark, I am in the middle of nowhere (again!), I've just opened a gate driven through and along a dirt track. I was begining to think I was crazy. Anyway finally I came up a grassy patch, where another 4x4 was parked... so sign of life but definitely other campers. This would do. So out with my sleeping bag and off to sleep I went. Again, I was awoken to an amzing sunrise.
Richie you would be so jealous, I just spent the last day driving along 100 KM of some of the best surf in Australia. Although, it was really a calm day, you could certainly see the potential. I did however get to see a number of dudes out in the water.
and I set off on my way along the Great Ocean Road. I took off on the A8 towards Melbourne via Tailem Bridge and then headed towards the coast and onto the Princes Hwy. I decided to get the bulk of the driving under way the first day, as the pretty stuff is closer to Melbourne. So I drove as far as Mt. Gambier, stopped for some food and the continued with the aim of finding one of the national parks near Nelson. Did I what? Oh my goodness, the best laid plans are meant to be broken and all that - well trying to navigate by yourself in the dark, whilst watching out for kangaroos, is not easy, believe you me and the next thing I knew I was in Portland. So now, we have a very tired Carole, with no where to stay, in the middle of nowhere, not so good. Out with the map - ok - next stop Narrowong, and it appears to have national parks close by. Right I will try that. So I drive to Narrowong, and keep my eyes peeled for street names - nothing, nada, yikes. I turned around and started driving in the other direction in the hope, still nothing and at this point I was very tired. Then I see a sign post for a caravan park. Hmm, I check it out. So I drive in and check out the prices on the notice board. Yikes, that was too expensive for my liking. But I did notice the picnic area, with the no camping sign, just out side the campground. PERFECT :) That will do, so I pulled the car up onto the grass, got my sleeping bag out, and curled up on the passenger seat. I awoke to sunrise and the sight of a puddle of water around the car. It really must have rained a lot during the night, and boy I must have been tired not to notice.
The day started off badly, I couldn't get my stove to work, so I couldn't have my morning coffee. What is a girl to do? Nevermind, my mind was soon occuppied by the magnificant full circle rainbow that was appearing before my eyes. Who needs coffee, eh?
I set off again to encounter wonders that be the Great Ocean Road. First stop Port Fairy, with its quaint little bakeries and cafes (ah ha - breakfast :), art galleries and gift shops, all of which appeared to named Dublin of Belfast.
The afternoon was spent driving along the coastline visiting the 12 Apostels, Bay of Islands, The Arch, London Bridge and many more of the wonderful and dramatic coastline architecture. Although the weather wasn't great, it gradually picked up as the day went on - making for an awesome sunset.
I decided to camp in the Ottway National Park in a little area called Port Franklin. According to the description it was just off lighthouse road. Sounds easy to find, but nothing ever is. Instead of finding my way to Port Franklin, I managed to find my way onto PRIVATE PROPERTY, yikes, which the lady of the house kindly informed me.... ahem.. although when she realised that I was just lost and
hadn't realised that I'd driven into her back garden she pointed me in the right direction. So off I trot again, eventually finding my way into a national park and up to a closed gate. Picture it though, its dark, I am in the middle of nowhere (again!), I've just opened a gate driven through and along a dirt track. I was begining to think I was crazy. Anyway finally I came up a grassy patch, where another 4x4 was parked... so sign of life but definitely other campers. This would do. So out with my sleeping bag and off to sleep I went. Again, I was awoken to an amzing sunrise.
Richie you would be so jealous, I just spent the last day driving along 100 KM of some of the best surf in Australia. Although, it was really a calm day, you could certainly see the potential. I did however get to see a number of dudes out in the water.
May 21, 2007
Bye Bye Victoria, Hello South Australia
Alas, I have said goodbye to the Grampians and climbing in Australia. At least for the present. A sad farewell, as I have enjoyed my time here and have so much still to do and see.
My last couple of days in the Grampians were spent between the Gallery and Summerday valley. The Gallery is the sports climbing crag of the area. Steep and juggy, with lots of ledges, it provides ample opertunity for photography. Naturally, I became trigger happy with my camera.
I left Horsham on Friday, and headed to Adelaide, to visit a college friend of mine Michael and his family. I hadn't seen him or his girlfriend (now wife) Bronte in 4 and a half years. So, as you can imagine there was a lot of catching up to do. To start with he's now married and the proud father of a gorgeous baby boy, Tadhg.
Friday evening was spent eating out in one of the Asian style food emporiums in central Adelaide. Saturday, started with a lazy morning, a trip to the coffee house to meet up with an aunt and uncle of Bronte's. Then a stroll through Cleveland wildlife park. I finally saw a Koala and a Wombat. Oh my goodness, they are so so so so cute. There was loads and loads and loads of kangaroos and wallabies. The the weirdest one of all was the albino kangaroo. Let me say it just looked odd.
Yesterday - friends of Michael's and Bronte's came over for lunch. We chilled out in the house for the day. Fantastic :) It has been great to come to Melbourne and have a lovely relaxing weekend. I can tell you, my body needed it.
My last couple of days in the Grampians were spent between the Gallery and Summerday valley. The Gallery is the sports climbing crag of the area. Steep and juggy, with lots of ledges, it provides ample opertunity for photography. Naturally, I became trigger happy with my camera.
I left Horsham on Friday, and headed to Adelaide, to visit a college friend of mine Michael and his family. I hadn't seen him or his girlfriend (now wife) Bronte in 4 and a half years. So, as you can imagine there was a lot of catching up to do. To start with he's now married and the proud father of a gorgeous baby boy, Tadhg.
Friday evening was spent eating out in one of the Asian style food emporiums in central Adelaide. Saturday, started with a lazy morning, a trip to the coffee house to meet up with an aunt and uncle of Bronte's. Then a stroll through Cleveland wildlife park. I finally saw a Koala and a Wombat. Oh my goodness, they are so so so so cute. There was loads and loads and loads of kangaroos and wallabies. The the weirdest one of all was the albino kangaroo. Let me say it just looked odd.
Yesterday - friends of Michael's and Bronte's came over for lunch. We chilled out in the house for the day. Fantastic :) It has been great to come to Melbourne and have a lovely relaxing weekend. I can tell you, my body needed it.
May 14, 2007
Wish upon a Shooting Star
Staring at the beautiful stary night sky in the Grampians national park, wishing Iknew more about the constellation, the differences betwen the northern and southern skies sparked off numerous intriging conversations last night. How to calculate due south by bisecting the imaginary line between on the southern cross constellation and finding the point at which this line and another line from another star converged. Confused ?? I was, but sure never mind. The milkway was a very clear haze last night. Its amazing how, being out in the middle of nowhere, makes for clear stary skies. Very rarely, do we back home, see quite as many stars at night. Its quite spectacular. Definitely, one of those things I would like to know more about and get a tripod to try and capture it.
May 13, 2007
Grampians
A gang of us (myself, Iain, Brian, Paul, Adrian and Wilbur) said goodbye to the Arapiles,
decided to rent a car and move across to the Grampians for a week. We rented a Mitsubitsu (ah I can't spell) Lancer, complete with spoiler and alloys, and bright yellow.... classy especially for driving across the outback.
The Grampians is another mountain range (bigger than Arapiles) quite close to Horsham. We made camp near Mt. Stapleton in the National park campground. Spent the last two days climbing, the first day in Summer Day Valley, which was lovely. Lots and lots of single pitch climbing from 7 and upwards. Loads and loads of classic lines. I ticked a few 15 and and 16 leads and seconded Soweto which was a great 21. One I definitely would like to come back and lead. Unforunately, I chickened out of that :(
Yesterday was spent in Van Diemans Wall. Very hard indeed. Sports climbing. I stupidly thought that warming up on the easiest climb there would be a good time. Turns out the climb was terrible, scared me senseless. I ended up falling off penduluming and whacked straight into the rock on my hip - ouch - bruised ego and hip. Anyway, I decided I didn't like the area and opted for my camera.
Today, my body decided for me. I am tired. I think the last few months are catching up with me and I feel utterly drained. Fortunately, the kangaroos are here to keep my company :)
decided to rent a car and move across to the Grampians for a week. We rented a Mitsubitsu (ah I can't spell) Lancer, complete with spoiler and alloys, and bright yellow.... classy especially for driving across the outback.
The Grampians is another mountain range (bigger than Arapiles) quite close to Horsham. We made camp near Mt. Stapleton in the National park campground. Spent the last two days climbing, the first day in Summer Day Valley, which was lovely. Lots and lots of single pitch climbing from 7 and upwards. Loads and loads of classic lines. I ticked a few 15 and and 16 leads and seconded Soweto which was a great 21. One I definitely would like to come back and lead. Unforunately, I chickened out of that :(
Yesterday was spent in Van Diemans Wall. Very hard indeed. Sports climbing. I stupidly thought that warming up on the easiest climb there would be a good time. Turns out the climb was terrible, scared me senseless. I ended up falling off penduluming and whacked straight into the rock on my hip - ouch - bruised ego and hip. Anyway, I decided I didn't like the area and opted for my camera.
Today, my body decided for me. I am tired. I think the last few months are catching up with me and I feel utterly drained. Fortunately, the kangaroos are here to keep my company :)
May 10, 2007
Wallabies Don't wear Rucksacks
Weather has been getting colder and I have been gradually wearing more and more clothes as the days goes on. 3 pairs of trouser, 2 fleeces, 2 vests, 2 thermal tops, a down jacket and 2 hats has been my most extravegent outfit so far. Luckily my sleeping is as good as it says on the label and I haven't been cold at night :) It was time to get the campfire burning - what a treat :)
Whilst wandering around the bottom of the Voodoo gully, I can upon this tree.... a deadish one.. but I was fascinated in it.
Had a good couple of days climbing. Decided to try and lead Bam Bam, a 20 up in Central Gully. After 3 attempts, I succeeded. I was thrilled. Managed to get Voodoo as well, an 18 I had paniked and rested on a few days previously. I have been mesmerized by the wallabies and kangaroos of late - and started imitating them as I bounce my way down from the crags in the evenings.... luckily for the wallabies they don't wear 40 litre rucksack full of lumps of metal and lots of rope. I doubt they would be bouncing so gracefully if they did. Boing Boing Boing :)
Last day climbing in the Arapiles was yesterday. Well hopefully as the plan is to go to Grampians tomorrow - so fingers crossed the weather holds. To end my time there, I climbed Syrinx. A classic 10, 3 stars and deserved them all.
Whilst wandering around the bottom of the Voodoo gully, I can upon this tree.... a deadish one.. but I was fascinated in it.
Had a good couple of days climbing. Decided to try and lead Bam Bam, a 20 up in Central Gully. After 3 attempts, I succeeded. I was thrilled. Managed to get Voodoo as well, an 18 I had paniked and rested on a few days previously. I have been mesmerized by the wallabies and kangaroos of late - and started imitating them as I bounce my way down from the crags in the evenings.... luckily for the wallabies they don't wear 40 litre rucksack full of lumps of metal and lots of rope. I doubt they would be bouncing so gracefully if they did. Boing Boing Boing :)
Last day climbing in the Arapiles was yesterday. Well hopefully as the plan is to go to Grampians tomorrow - so fingers crossed the weather holds. To end my time there, I climbed Syrinx. A classic 10, 3 stars and deserved them all.
May 6, 2007
Tick Tock
After a few more attempts at jamming - I decided to go back to face climbing. Oh the joys - the joys of slab climbing in the rain. Just my luck. For two days running, I picked a route in sunshine, got half way home when the heavens opens.. Maybe I should resort back to crack climbing. Two fantastic routes though: Beautiful Possibilities (15) and Missing Link (17). But slick in the rain. Missing Link was a great confident boost, as the gear is small and infrequent and the start is scary. But I managed to get it clean. I toproped Bam Bam (20), a lovely finger locking crack climb. I think I have a project for the next few days. I will let you know. Time to start pushing myself again.
I also managed to get on the classic multipitch, Resignation, yesterday. The third pitch is great and just as described in the guide book, a 15 that thinks its a 23. And another classic I ticked a couple of days ago was Muldoon (13). Alright, I hear you say, what are you doing still climbing 13's but this one was fantastic. Steep, overhanging, jugs, for about 35m. Fantastic :) A must do for all who fenture to to the Arapiles.
Got up early this morning to a beautiful red sky. I just had to get my camera out. Unfortunately, shortly after that my battery died.
I also managed to get on the classic multipitch, Resignation, yesterday. The third pitch is great and just as described in the guide book, a 15 that thinks its a 23. And another classic I ticked a couple of days ago was Muldoon (13). Alright, I hear you say, what are you doing still climbing 13's but this one was fantastic. Steep, overhanging, jugs, for about 35m. Fantastic :) A must do for all who fenture to to the Arapiles.
Got up early this morning to a beautiful red sky. I just had to get my camera out. Unfortunately, shortly after that my battery died.
May 2, 2007
After the rains died out ....
After 2 days of solid rain, the skies finally cleared enough for a wee bit of climbing. A gang of us a little apprenhensive of the dark skies decided on a mornings bouldering near to camp (well ok everything is near to camp - but this is particular near). We played around on the Golden Fleece and Kroonorf boulders - which was great fun, as I haven't been out bouldering really since I left Ireland. I managed to get a couple of high ball scary problems, which I was really chuffed about.
Over the next couple of days I have been ticking off a few of the classic routes, like Bard and Brolga. Although, we think we somehow managed to climb a variation of Bard and miss out half of the actual route - don't ask :) its multipitch madness, but we had a great time none the less.
I plucked up the courage a couple of days ago to hop on a route that I'd been looking at for a while, Voodoo. Its not terrible difficult - an 18 - which to me equates to about E1 but for me it was bold and reachy - unfortunately (or fortunately) which ever way you look at it, I took a small fall, which did wonders for my confidence and in trusting my own gear. One of the new guide book authors, Simon Mentz, was around taking photos while I was on route and gave me a few. Thank you, Simon. The first two are of me on Voodoo and the third is of me on Handjob, a slabby 15 nearby.
Yesterday was also a day of conquering fears and mastering new arts. I think I may have conquered the fear but the new art - well.... its handjamming. We set off in the morning to climb Brolga a 90m slab route. Yes, I know, I don't like slabs very much. But I swear I am getting better. I chose the second pitch as apparently it is less run out. Hmmm. Well, at 10 m about my last piect of gear which was a very dodgy purple cam, that would undoubtedly rip if I were to peel off. As you can imagine, when I realised that I had to commit to the crux, with that run out, I was a little nervous, to say the least. If I fell, I would have flown past my belayer - luckily it was a multipitch. Anyway, I committed to it - and all went well - as I mantled on a crimp, a wet crimp, no doubt.
After that success, we decided that the next challenge would be learning how to hand jam. Hmm, something i have cursed and sweared and cried a lot over, I just can't do it. So, I found this route, Siamese Crack, on Kitten Wall, which was described to be the route that all Learner Hand Jammer should do. PERFECT :) NOT :(, my goodness, I got spanked so bad... but I did keep going and eventually made it to the top. Someday, hand jamming will just click, I am sure :)
Over the next couple of days I have been ticking off a few of the classic routes, like Bard and Brolga. Although, we think we somehow managed to climb a variation of Bard and miss out half of the actual route - don't ask :) its multipitch madness, but we had a great time none the less.
I plucked up the courage a couple of days ago to hop on a route that I'd been looking at for a while, Voodoo. Its not terrible difficult - an 18 - which to me equates to about E1 but for me it was bold and reachy - unfortunately (or fortunately) which ever way you look at it, I took a small fall, which did wonders for my confidence and in trusting my own gear. One of the new guide book authors, Simon Mentz, was around taking photos while I was on route and gave me a few. Thank you, Simon. The first two are of me on Voodoo and the third is of me on Handjob, a slabby 15 nearby.
Yesterday was also a day of conquering fears and mastering new arts. I think I may have conquered the fear but the new art - well.... its handjamming. We set off in the morning to climb Brolga a 90m slab route. Yes, I know, I don't like slabs very much. But I swear I am getting better. I chose the second pitch as apparently it is less run out. Hmmm. Well, at 10 m about my last piect of gear which was a very dodgy purple cam, that would undoubtedly rip if I were to peel off. As you can imagine, when I realised that I had to commit to the crux, with that run out, I was a little nervous, to say the least. If I fell, I would have flown past my belayer - luckily it was a multipitch. Anyway, I committed to it - and all went well - as I mantled on a crimp, a wet crimp, no doubt.
After that success, we decided that the next challenge would be learning how to hand jam. Hmm, something i have cursed and sweared and cried a lot over, I just can't do it. So, I found this route, Siamese Crack, on Kitten Wall, which was described to be the route that all Learner Hand Jammer should do. PERFECT :) NOT :(, my goodness, I got spanked so bad... but I did keep going and eventually made it to the top. Someday, hand jamming will just click, I am sure :)
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