Waimak River

Todays mission, pack gear for a day away, pack more gear for a long skiing weekend away, pack all the family's ski great into the car, go to work, start preparing a presentation for tomorrow at 10am, then drive to the West Coast. Simple.

So yes, away to Greymouth for the night and presenting at an Ecotourism conference tomorrow, then driving back to Christchurch, picking up my brother-in-law at 6pm, and driving to Wanaka for a 4 day weekend. Slight problem, we've just had the biggest storm in 50 years and there are a few issues with roads.

Anyway, roads sorted themselves out it seems and I came over Arthurs Pass. Absolutely fine, what a load of risk averse road managers I'd say - 3 days closed my backside ... Had a few others travelling with me, so limited opportunities to stop unfortunately.

Arrived just in time for pre-conference drinks at 5, but had to bail from diner sadly. My presentation was barely started, Happy to say at 10.30pm it's looking OK, I hope, We'll find out tomorrow. Yes, my usual "just-in-time" preparation ;-)

Oh yes, got home at 10.30pm last night and cleared part of the driveway, and then did the rest at 8 this morning, had to get the car up to pack it to go away. Snow, snow, snow!