two days as a scarfie

This weekend I took a trip through Otago to Dunedin to spend some quality time with my siblings, cousins and friends still there! It's crazy how easily the memories come flooding back of a place the instant your back amongst it. I went out running in Ross Creek with Shireen on Friday and my muscles kind of just remembered the route, guess all those miles i logged while i was in Dunedin are ingrained in me somewhere!

Thursday evening i picked up Rosie and we headed out to the beach to cook Chris a birthday dinner at his flat! It was great just hanging out and spinning some good yarns with the family and his flatties. Constant smiles :) 

rosie and i walked the esplanade at st clair beach before dinner and timed it perfectly for the sunset

on the way home from dinner, my muscle memory took me to rob roy's for icecream..i honestly didn't plan that, it just seemed right, just as right as it felt to be snuggled up in our woolen jerseys, woolen socks and 5 layers of blankets to keep warm in rosies flat. 

I spent Friday shopping while Rosie (and everyone else) was at uni or working (aghhh i love vacation!). Had a sneaky lunch break with Rosie and she gave me a few study tips for when i go back to school in august....

 tip: drink while still in warm clothing to ensure alcohol blanket is in place before venturing into town

we went to byo japanese for dinner to start off our night out

highlights include the octopus balls (shown below), these were incredible; rosie, clarke, chris and i turning up with a bottle of wine each; rach, wedz and lyndon turning up empty handed; lets just say our family dont do things by halves; and chris not passing out (and finishing his whole bottle of wine, definitely an accomplishment) 

after dinner we headed to alibi to wash down the wine with, ahhh, more alcohol...think it's called binge drinking!!??!!

i apologize for the next few photos are kind of repetitive, BUT by far the greatest series of photos of me and my favourite cousin..and who wouldn't want to show of a handsome fella like clarke ;)

like i said. we don't do things by halves.

today my neck hurts from dancing so hard, my head hurts from drinking so hard, and my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Thanks for a great couple of days!

a tune for you - Grimes: Oblivion

xx

escaping the cold deep south

Another weekend and another adventure here in the deep south! I headed up to Christchurch to run my first race in 7 months and catch up with my many friends in the running community (and to escape the cold in Alex!)
I ran the 10km road race which was part of the Christchurch City Marathon and Half Marathon...we were lucky enough to get a 2 hour window in the middle of stormy weather for near perfect racing conditions! Last time i raced this in 2009 it was sleeting/raining/windy/FREEZING! This year was rather pleasant indeed. Plus i got to room with Shireen, great roomie..if she jumped on beds she may be right up there with Rach ;)

saturday night carbo loading (including vino) at the hotel before our early morning start...

run run run...photo's here and results here

post race lunch with my family in Christchurch and a sneaky family shot!

below = evidence of the growth spurt due to mum's home cooking...actually, Shireen just makes me look like a hunchback giant!

our evening relaxing: spa, beer, thai food, wine and plenty of good laughs with the christchurch and ex-otago runners

beautiful views of the land of the long white cloud on my flight home...

...home to Bella who spent the weekend outside in the cold with me and my parents away, she was very happy to be back in front of the fire!

Had a great weekend away and it was so great catching up with old mates! Excited now to be back racing after shaking out those 7 month old cobwebs!

Night

xx

chasing sheep

if i was as good as dogs at chasing sheep we'd be eating some pretty decent roast lamb dinners every sunday. but unfortunately i don't quite have the skills, what i have in speed and endurance is by far outweighed by my lack of stealthiness and barking. pity.

this past week Mum and I took a trip up to Wanaka to watch the National Sheep Dog Trials which my Uncle Andy was competing in and my Uncle Dave was lending a hand letting the sheep out of the pen. A description of such a spectacle is really hard to do whilst giving this classic kiwi event the credit it deserves..but i shall try.
farm trucks + farm dogs + paddocks + fences + tussock + swanndri's + gumboots + mud + pie's + sausage rolls + scones with cream + hot tea + cold speights + roast mutton....getting the picture? maybe not. hopefully the photos will help.

location: Alphaburn Station

after we arrived and caught up with Uncle Andy i headed out for long run on the trail from Glendu Bay to Wanaka. It was nice to be out of the fog layer in Alex and in the sunshine..first time wearing a t-shirt and shorts since iv been home!! Post run stretching on the back of the truck with the dogs...

...and a cold speights to rehydrate post run. essential. 

the BAA BAA PUB (a wooden shed with beer inside) on hand to serve the thirsty competitors

For those who are still wondering. Here is a video.

And a wikipedia explanation..it's probably better than mine:

"A Sheepdog trial (also herding event, stock dog trial or simply dog trial) is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land."