sparky 的个人资料SparkyBouy照片日志列表更多  |  工具 帮助 |
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1月5日 EngagedGuess who got engaged over Xmas? Me!
Lucy and I are now enagaged. I proposed at Muriwai Beach after body boarding and a BBQ.
We are every happy indeed, I wish I could see all my friends in the UK to celebrate.
Best
Chris
12月23日 Christmas EveHi All, just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Today is Christmas Eve, after I have completed some chores and errands I will going round Shaun (the Canadians) to play Poker :o) That will probably last the whole evening!!
Tomorrow I hope to spend some time on the Beach, Mission Bay or St Helliers and am due around the lads house in Mt Eden sometime in the afternoon for a full evening of BBQ and drinking. Am gonna stay over with the lads and nurse terrible hangover on Boxing day. Although there was talk of going to the horse races but I don't think that is going to happen. Have a wonderful Christmas and hope to see you all soon. Love Chris xxxx 12月1日 Queenstown 23/10/2005So last day in Queenstown...today I went Quad biking. Quite an early start....We were taken to the start of the Quad bike tour and had a safety briefing.
As we went out we passed the new bungy that has yet to start, 200m high...it looks amazing! :o)
The quad bike ride was not very hecti, we wound our way up a small hill until we had views of the remarkables and Queenstown proper - absolutely beautiful. Pictures are on this site.
We returned back to the start and were dropped off back to our hotels.
I was flying later that day so I packed my bags and hopped into my car and drove to Arrowtown for a look around the chinese village which is quite interesting. A look around the shops which seemed to be staffed by English people - you can't escape the Brits here.
I took a scenic detour to the airport where I dropped off the hire car, checked into my flight to Auckland and relaxed thinking about my time in Queenstown until my flight was called.
Goodbye Queentown, I will be back again soon. 10月31日 Queenstown 22/10/2005its a Saturday so my plan of action was to relax in the morning and in the afternoon go rafting!
I found a cool cafe called nafty or something like that....and had a stroll around the shops. I picked up some suncream to stop the bald head blistering :o)
The afternoon soon came around and I went to the Rafting centre to wait to be picked up. Everyone sits around not talking so I strolled over to the bungee jumping desk, they have a thing called the thrill-ology which is where you do three bungy jumps in one day. They had videos of people doing it, although i didn;t sign up I had a wild thought of doing the thrill-ology dressed as Elvis so we will see if that comes off!!
We were called to the coach and drove to shotover river where we queued for the Shotover jetboat. There were loads of English couples around and I overheard them talking about wanting to come to NZ and work....put a smile on my face.
The Jetboat was great, I have done a few of those now..the best by far is the jet boat on the Sydney harbour!!
After fun on the boat and the associated pictures purchased I got kitted out for the Shotover river rafting thing - wetsuit, booties, lifevest.
We drove to the shotover down this gorge through these very narrow roads and I mean narrow with dead drops off the side!!
We finally made it to the top of the river, unpacked the rafts and got into teams of six, I sat in the front of the raft to get maximum scare!! We meandered down the river and they taught us how to raft together and then we kit a few rapids.....it was so much fun and the company was pleasent as well. During the raft you go under the cradle swing which looks great, our raft guide informed us that he was the first person to do it with a beer in his hand...and he didn't drop it!!
The rafting was cool and it really tired me out! I hoped onto a bus and headed back to Queenstown where i almost collapsed but I had a treat in store for myself as I had booked a massage!!!
I had time to shower and the massage lady came - very relaxing indeed. After the massage I hit the oub to watch the Rugby Auckland Vs ***** Auckland won. Met a great couple and just chatted and chilled out. eating sausages
:o) Perfec
10月28日 Queenstown 21/10/2005As I drove up Highway 1 from Bluff / Invercargill I passed a the lovely NZ coutryside of rolling hills, sheep and cows.
As I turned a particular corner I got a view of the Lake and mountains, I had to stop and take some pictures. (pictures to be added soon).
I kept stopping and taking pictures as each corner gave me another view of the Alps and lake district.
I eventually reached Queenstown and followed my nose to the lake side where I found my hotel, the Novotel.
By pure chance this long weekend (Labour day) was a Jazz festival with most of the bars and clubs having jazz bands playing, and all for free!!
I left my car with the valet and settled into my Hotel. I had arrived in Queenstown at about 13:00 so I had most of Friday afternoon to get to grips with the place minus the time I had to spend on a few conference calls.
First stop the gondelers up the mountain. These are like an enclosed ski lift. From here I purchased a couple of tickets for the Luge which is basically a plastic platform on wheels with some handlebars that you ride on down a concrete path...very fast and loads of fun!!!
It was great having a conference call being about 1000m high overlooking the lake and queenstown below - magic.
After the excitement I strolled to the small beach in Queenstown and chilled out on the Beach and relaxed uptil teatime.
My first evening in Queenstown was spent in a couple of bars listening to jazz music, drinking and talking to random people. There are some funny people about.....
10月23日 Bluff 21/10/05So I got up pretty early in Invercargill, checked out and caught a Taxi to the airport to pick up my Hertz car. That all sorted out I hit the road....next stop Bluff.
Bluff is on the very bottom of New Zealand and takes about 20-30 mins from Invercargill. I reached the bottom most tip of NZ where they have the famous sign which reads London 18995km - blimey thats a long way!!
Not much to see in Bluff just the water and a power station, had some breakfast and then got back on the road...next stop Queenstown! 10月21日 Invercargill 20 Oct 2005We didn't fly to I but we drove from Dunedin as the flights were either very early or very late. Ray, Sam and I shared a car which was ok, Raymond on the blower for most of it. However we did go down presedential drive which is through the townships of "Clinton" and "Gore".
Invecargill is actually ok, there are quite a few shops really, worth staying a day or two. Preso in a working mend club which was cool. After my preso a bloke came up to me and asked if I was from Portsmouth or Southampton....his wife was from Emsworth so he knew the accent, how odd!!!
Did the preso then out for a snother slap up meal and chit chatting - got to bed about 12:00. We stayed in a holiday camp type accomodation which was very different from out usual corporate hotel but it felt a bit like being on holiday so that was cool.
DunedinChristchurch airport is like a proper airpoirt with shops and people. I think you can fly to LA from Christchurch. Anyway, we got on another propeller plan and headed to Dunedin.
The Dunedin airport is quite a long way out from the town centre so it was a longish taxi ride and I had a good chat to the lady cab driver. POinted out the sites such as the casino and local strip club!!
Dunedin is cold, we are slowly getting further and further south.
I had time to stroll around the "Octogon" and see the statue of Robbie Burns and go into the loacal church which has Union Jack flags in ti which I thought was odd.
Preso was ok,....networking then off to a local bar for drinks and meal
Another day over. ChristchurhWe flew to christchurch on 18 Oct....checked into the Holidya Inn and went into the tiny Christchurch office which over looks the square.
t does seem a bit like Oxford...it feels like u r in Oxford but something isn't quite right.
I did my presentation which went ok, chatted to a few clients then Sam, Raymond and I went out for a Thai meal and then to the pub to play pool which was a nice relaxing way to finish off the evening.
Chistchurch looked like a nice place but really didn't get any time to see it, next time. 10月16日 NelsonSunday.
Today I took the 12:35 flight from AKL to Nelson at the top of the South Island and it is beautiful. The sun was out the sky was blue and the beach was huge!!
I checked into my hotel the Rutherford, Heritage Hotel which is a nice modern Hotel you expect from the Heritage group. it sits just opposite the church in Nelson which I understand took 47 years to build - a lovely church tho. I walked down the centre of the town (Trafalgar Street) until I hit the sea and turned left walking back in the direction of the airport. I stopped at a small cafe where the jet boat and glass bottom boat leave from and refreshed myself with a Glass of wine and a slice of carrot cake. I continued to walk towards the airport until I hit the long white sandy beach with has a huge sand bar that goes out into the sea, many people were kitesurfing. It reminded me a bit of Hayling Beach but on a far bigger scale. As you walk down the beach and you look south you can make out the line of Mountains that consume much of the South Island. After a strole on the beach without shoes I looked at my map and took "Days" road which is a pedestrian walk up the hill that over looks Nelson, and then followed the path down the other side, some wonderful views there. I walked for another 20 mins and finally made it to the main high street where I took a beer at the Victoria Rose pub. Back to the hotel for a shower then out again for a nice Thai meal, back home working on my presentation for tomorrow.... It was a brilliant day, New Zealand is such a wonderful place...you must all come and visit.
See ya C x 10月9日 IBM Forum prepIn work again sorting out my presentation on IBM Workplace to be given at the IBM Forum in Auckland on Tuesday and Wellington on Friday....bummer.
Its a 50 minute pitch on quite a complex subject so fingers crossed that it all goes ok.
Next week I am on the road for three weeks delivering a Workplace Services Express presentation to all the small towns in NZ. I am looking forward to seeing the SOuth Island. Is only a 15 minute pitch so should be stress free-ish?
Chat soon
C
x 10月4日 Training StuffAfter much abuse to my system during my hols in the UK I have got back to the gym, wonder how long that will last......
03/10/2005 95.45kg Tri and Bi
- Seated Screw curls: 15 / 15 / 12 /10 /8 5kg (aim 7.5 kg x2 / 5kg x 4)
- Standing Rope curls 15 / 13 / 10 / 8 3 bars (aim heavy / med / light - 12 / 10 / 8 / 6)
- EZ Bar Bicep curls 15 / 13 / 10 / 8 7.5 kg
(change to EZ bar (10kg) & straight into hand to ear curls - 8 / 6 / 6)
- Bicep curl to fatigue 3kg 80 reps
- Skullcrushers 15 / 12 / 10 / 8 5kg (aim 10kg 15 / 12 / 10 / 8 / 6)
Also add
Tricep dips 15 / 12 /10 / 8 / 6 to near body weight
04/10/2005 95.22kg Chest
- Bench Press 7.5kg 15 / 13 / 10 / 6 / 4
- Inclined press 6kg 15 / 13 / 10 / 8 / 6
- Pec Deck 3 bars 15 / 15 / 15 / 12 / 10
- Bench press 5kg 15 / 13 / 10 / 8 / 6
10月3日 First day backI have completed my first day back in the office...hurray!!!
Lots to do as I have a few big presentations for the IBM Forum to do next week. I am making the most of the jetlag by coming into work early to get through all my emails.
Banging headace without the joy of a booze up is not good tho. 9月26日 In the UKI have made it back to the UK for a few weeks to go to Enwezor and Karen's wedding, catch up with friends and family and to have a rest!!!
I seem to have had some many lunch and dinners out!!
Steve and Sarah with Helen and Ben (plus Ellie :o) )
Jo and Jim
Ray and Jeanne
John and Amy
Friday night at the Wine Vaults with a after pub at the Jim and Jo's
Trip to Bucklers Hard
Trip to Bosham
Visited the Gym to see Gary
Shopping!!
Jog and then breakfast at 10th hole with Dan
Met the niece and nephew from school
Took kids to Sealife centre
loads of stuff...
I have had a brilliant time back in the UK and it is sad to say goodbye to everyone again. However a few peeps are coming over my way soon,
- Dec 2005, Boycie and Maybe Dan
- Jan 2006, the folks
- Mar 2006 Allie and Darren and/or Karen White
My trip back to Auckland was via Hong Kong and I was lucky enough to get an upgrade to business class - woo hoo, I had a couple of glasses of champagne before we took off. :o)
C
xx
7月30日 Back from SydneyHi,
I got back from Sydney after a two week stint over there with work. Work was a lot of fun meeting my colleagues in Oz. They are a great bunch.
As for fun activities well I did the usal which is to walk down to Circular Key and say hello to the bridge and the opera house as it is magical down there!
My friend came over so we followed the following itineray:
- Thurs night: Went out for dinner by the Hyatt Hotel with views of the Opera House and Harbour bridge.
- Fri, walk down to circular key via botanical gardens. Catch the Captain Cook coffee cruise which is brilliant. You get to see how beautiful the harbour is. In the evening we went to see HMS Pinnafore at the opera house which I really enjoyed.
- Sat: Walked to the Cathedral by Hyde Park. The took the Bondi Beach explorer, stopped at double Bay, the Heads and Bondi. I had heard loads that Bondi was a bit of a shit hole but I thought it was lovely. A massive sandy beach, surfing, nice good great weather......what more can you ask for.
- Sun: Chilled out for a bit and went to Manly for a walk and food, the ferry ride is a good enough excuse for going to Manly.
I was initially booked into thr Radisson Hotel but it was so noisy that I moved to Start City which was great, especially as we got upgraded as well.
The weather was brilliant, 21 C went up to about 24 on Saturday.
Back in AKL,...miss Sydney.
C
PS: I had an all day meeting on Thursday 28th July and I had a view of the Harbour bridge all day.....what a place to work!!
6月14日 PoorlyHi, Bit poorly today with this cold so worked from home yesterday although didn't manage to get much done. - can't wait for the weekend and able to relax. I have yet to add those photos from Sydney but will try and download them tomorrow. C
6月13日 Monday MorningMonday morning started well, I forgot my Thinkpad and had to get a taxi home to pick it up - typical. I was meant to go to Sydney on Wednesday but that has now been cancelled. I am not too worried as i have picked up a cold over the weekend so not travelling will do me good. Yoga tonight but not sure if my fellow yoga people will be grateful for the cold I will be giving them! Here is a very entertaining website, htt://firstname.lastname.isagaylord.com Just substitute firstname and last name with your name and see what happens. e.g. http://chris.sparshott.isagaylord.com Also, The Lions lost to NZ Maori on Saturday night so I have had thayt in the neck all day today.
Saturday was a good night, went out with the backpacker crowd to Clare Inn in Mount Eden. Kerry's birthday so a very boozy night indeed. :o) Will add some photos when I get them sent through. 6月10日 G'dayG'day all, I am at my desk here in IBM Auckland waiting to leave and go and see the All Blacks play Fiji in Albany just up the road....its gonna be a great match and the first time I have seen the All Blacks play. I hope to go to a yoga workshop on Sat afternoon assuming my hangover is ok by then otherwise I will relax and prepare for the enveing as it is one of my friends birthday so off to K'Road. Sunday moring I am out in Devonport for coffee and then in the afternoon out with a new friend called Clive who works for an IBM customer. Take it easy and will update again soon. Chris (Sparky) xxx 5月16日 Bad dayWork has been a bit dull today, am not really enjoying it. Wish I could pack bags and return to the Beach.
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