Cookie says...
Finally, Cardrona! It looked closed in from the bottom of the hill but once we arrived, it was basically a blue bird day.
Pilty vegged out till the half day pass kicked in and Mikey hung around the main drag while I checked out Captain's. I decided that Whitestar was the way to go and pumped out some very quick runs. It was fairly busy and there was a comp on which didn't help.
I joined the other two for their final runs and was nearly taken out buy some rouge skier and definitely taken out by Pilt.
I checked out the shop on the way out as Julie had asked me to get some new shirts however I haven't bought any this year as the colours are vomit inducing and styles that went out with the 80's. There's definitely something there for the Gen Y's at Bridgy to pick up.
Once home Pilty rang to book a table up at Skyline. We've discovered that he doesn't handle analogue devices very well as he dropped the landline which killed the call and he forgot his mobile number. Either that or he was intimidated by a chick wanting his number.
We arrived for dinner and at first the staff gave me a dirty look until they realised that Pete Humphreys wasn't with me and waved us through (Pete once had eaten them out of house and home). It was a good feed culminating with Mikey and I giving Pilty dating advice. Now he has no chance with the ladies.
Time to pack and sleep before heading home tomorrow.
Mikey says...
A bit tired today because I spent most of last night and the early morning watching the national geographic channel. At least I now know how to make the new Mercedes truck, a Rolls Royce Phantom, a 20,000 tonne ice-breaker cargo ship, and how to remove a 45 tonne broken keel. Knowledge I'm sure will come in very handy soon.
Stomach was still a little funny today so took it nice and easy on the slopes at Cardrona. Heaps of fun just going up and down and up and down and... well you get the idea.
Dinner was at the Skyline restaurant. Pilty and I had heaps of fun saying things to annoy Cookie. He's just too easy to annoy.
Decided to power walk part of the way home. For some reason the others did walk with me. Probably just couldn't keep up with my lightening pace.
Made it home to finish the last levels of Plants v Zombie's. Oh yeah, the hours I spent playing that game have paid off for sure. If zombies do ever threaten your town, just call me up and I can give you advice on the best plants to take out the brain eaters.
Pilty says...
I still wasn't feeling great so I had a half-a as I still wanted to try something different. Once the low cloud cover started to disappear, the place looked glorious - so large and open. I did three different types of runs; the magic carpet and two other greens.
At night, I overindulged in both great tasting food and possibly useful information.
Showing posts with label Ski Cardrona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ski Cardrona. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 10 - NZ
Cookie says...
First things first. It's Morgan's birthday today so to make sure he didn't feel left out (and knowing he loves making a big deal of his birthday), Gurti had acquired some party hats and some party poppers and he woke to the tune of the three of us serenading him with Happy Birthday.
Finally made it to Cardrona today although it wouldn't have been our first choice. Remarks was closed and we'd been to Coronet enough already so we went with Cardies. When we arrived we were nearly blown off the hill it was soo windy. Gale force winds smashed us for a few hours, no wonder heli operations were on hold. I checked out Captains Basin to see if it was protected from the wind but that was a big negative. Nowhere was safe. It was so windy that the resort was offering half day prices from the start of the day.
The wind didn't stop the pipe finals for the Winter Games. We stopped doing out thang to watch the best of the best do their thang. No surprise that Shaun White took out the mens but there were some awesome displays of spins and air time. Managed to snap a few good pics and video. I was inspired and tried my hand at the pipe. I officially suck. Had a bit of fun though.
We watched the presentation at the end and we almost got a photo of Shaun White with our crew. I say almost because while we deliberated about whether we should or shouldn't ask him, everyone else had asked and got the photo they wanted and by the time we decided what we were going to do, he had been ushered off elsewhere. Such a decisive bunch we are!
A few days ago we got talking to some bird on a chairlift. Turned out she worked at a restaurant in town called Flame so we decided we'd check it out. Another big feed and another big bill. Going to have to address both those outcomes when we return.
Good dinner and afterwards we turned into geeks and went to the interweb joint. Not as geeky as some though. We were kicked off to use other machines so some nerds could play games together. Nerds are so funny, they start gaming in a public internet place and seem to forget that others are around and carry on like... well... nerds. Must be their lack of social skills / etiquette which have been replace with the knowledge of what spells to use on what enemy or what abilities they should give their character.
First things first. It's Morgan's birthday today so to make sure he didn't feel left out (and knowing he loves making a big deal of his birthday), Gurti had acquired some party hats and some party poppers and he woke to the tune of the three of us serenading him with Happy Birthday.
Wake up old man!
Finally made it to Cardrona today although it wouldn't have been our first choice. Remarks was closed and we'd been to Coronet enough already so we went with Cardies. When we arrived we were nearly blown off the hill it was soo windy. Gale force winds smashed us for a few hours, no wonder heli operations were on hold. I checked out Captains Basin to see if it was protected from the wind but that was a big negative. Nowhere was safe. It was so windy that the resort was offering half day prices from the start of the day.
A windy, windy Cardrona. The photo doesn't really convey the amount of wind
The wind didn't stop the pipe finals for the Winter Games. We stopped doing out thang to watch the best of the best do their thang. No surprise that Shaun White took out the mens but there were some awesome displays of spins and air time. Managed to snap a few good pics and video. I was inspired and tried my hand at the pipe. I officially suck. Had a bit of fun though.
This guy is a 'little' better than me
We watched the presentation at the end and we almost got a photo of Shaun White with our crew. I say almost because while we deliberated about whether we should or shouldn't ask him, everyone else had asked and got the photo they wanted and by the time we decided what we were going to do, he had been ushered off elsewhere. Such a decisive bunch we are!
Shawn White: Snowboard Legend
A few days ago we got talking to some bird on a chairlift. Turned out she worked at a restaurant in town called Flame so we decided we'd check it out. Another big feed and another big bill. Going to have to address both those outcomes when we return.
Gurti is a steak and rib eating machine...
actually us guys finished her plate off : )
Good dinner and afterwards we turned into geeks and went to the interweb joint. Not as geeky as some though. We were kicked off to use other machines so some nerds could play games together. Nerds are so funny, they start gaming in a public internet place and seem to forget that others are around and carry on like... well... nerds. Must be their lack of social skills / etiquette which have been replace with the knowledge of what spells to use on what enemy or what abilities they should give their character.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Day 7 - NZ
Mikey says...
Actually woke up with a bit of energy today. Went back up to Cardies and I took it nice and easy down the slopes. Boarded a trail called Skyline. Will have to remember to take my R34 down there when I get it, I'm sure they won't mind.
We left early and I started watching some quality TV. WWF wrestling to be precise. Out of about 1 hrs viewing I counted about 10 mins of actual wrestling, the rest was typical amercian commercialism.
Been reading my Harry Potter book and I have to say to J. K. Rowling; Why do you kill off everyone close to Harry who's not a main character! You even killed his pet owl! You know what I think? JK is actually voldemort and Harry's only chance to win is to destroy JK's quill.
It was my last day on the slopes today. Doing the tourist thing tomorrow and going shopping.
Oh and I found a NZ chic! She is a bit butch, but her hair is beautiful! Favourite feature - stubble.
Lessons Learnt
Cookie says...
Thanks, Mikey but for the record, the only tranny I know is what's found in your car!
Anyway, tougher day at Cardies today. Overcast for the first half and icier conditions made for hard work. Bumped into the Kenmore crew again after a few hours and hung with them. Ended up taking Tim and Scott back to QT with us.
Afterwards we played some pool while waiting for the cleaner to look after our room... this is the life... Pilty, you'd appreciate having slaves to do your work ; )
Lazed around the unit for a few hours. One of the stations had some WWF crap on TV. I can't believe that people actually find this rubbish interesting and entertaining. Sorry, I can understand that Americans would but any other sensible people out there would know it's not worth watching but just like almost all of their other sports, it's 95% talk and 5% substance... except in this case the 5% are the adverts.
Didn't see the Kenmore gang last night in the end as they were too tired. We grabed some take away Winnie's pizza and had it in the unit.
Lessons Learnt
Actually woke up with a bit of energy today. Went back up to Cardies and I took it nice and easy down the slopes. Boarded a trail called Skyline. Will have to remember to take my R34 down there when I get it, I'm sure they won't mind.
We left early and I started watching some quality TV. WWF wrestling to be precise. Out of about 1 hrs viewing I counted about 10 mins of actual wrestling, the rest was typical amercian commercialism.
Been reading my Harry Potter book and I have to say to J. K. Rowling; Why do you kill off everyone close to Harry who's not a main character! You even killed his pet owl! You know what I think? JK is actually voldemort and Harry's only chance to win is to destroy JK's quill.
It was my last day on the slopes today. Doing the tourist thing tomorrow and going shopping.
Oh and I found a NZ chic! She is a bit butch, but her hair is beautiful! Favourite feature - stubble.
Mikey picked up!
Lessons Learnt
- Wait and the right transvestite will come your way
Cookie says...
Thanks, Mikey but for the record, the only tranny I know is what's found in your car!
Anyway, tougher day at Cardies today. Overcast for the first half and icier conditions made for hard work. Bumped into the Kenmore crew again after a few hours and hung with them. Ended up taking Tim and Scott back to QT with us.
Afterwards we played some pool while waiting for the cleaner to look after our room... this is the life... Pilty, you'd appreciate having slaves to do your work ; )
Waiting for your room to be cleaned is tough
Mikey pretending to look the part
Lazed around the unit for a few hours. One of the stations had some WWF crap on TV. I can't believe that people actually find this rubbish interesting and entertaining. Sorry, I can understand that Americans would but any other sensible people out there would know it's not worth watching but just like almost all of their other sports, it's 95% talk and 5% substance... except in this case the 5% are the adverts.
Didn't see the Kenmore gang last night in the end as they were too tired. We grabed some take away Winnie's pizza and had it in the unit.
This is how grocery stores should be!
Lessons Learnt
- Top Gear is funny and all but when you're tired, you're tired and you won't care if Captain Slow is dishing out a good bollocking to Clarkson or the Hamster
- I was never any good at waking in the morning and it's not easier being exhausted from a day on the slopes
- When snowboarding, you get bruises in places you'd never expect or could explain
- New Zealand should move on from the Lord of the Rings fame and fortune, 8 hrs of time in an internet cafe playing the theme music gets on your nerves!!!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Day 6 - NZ - Meet the Kenmore Crew
Cheese!
We first saw them at the airport after we landed at Christchurch and as a couple of them were familiar, we thought we'd say hi. Introducing; Lee (Occupational Therapist), Tim (Freelance Photographer), Scott (Event Management) and Anna (I'm sorry, Anna, I don't yet know what you do).
Useless bit of trivia. Tim and Lee know a guy I started TAFE with back in the summer of 69' (I know, some of you would be quick to believe that I really am that old) I mean, '95. He was one of their youth leaders and now is a youth pastor down the coast.
This isn't their first time on the snow and are enjoying being back pushing white stuff down a hill.
Some more trivia. Lee was a member of the band Opposite Lock. We had them perform for the youth group a few months back and played there that night. He has since left the band.
Day 6 - NZ
Mikey says...
Back at Cardrona today. Getting harder and harder to get up in the morning!
Warmed up on the easy slopes then I tried one of the faster ones. Was going alright. Then I got off the lift. Thats when it got painful. Landed heavily on my buttocks. Was feeling very tender, and my butt wasn't too good either. But no! I must soldier on! So back I went up the lift. Very comfortable lift this one, padded seats, very nice on the old tush. But I stacked it again (there were a couple of successful runs in between though) and of course landed on my rump. OUCH!
Went for a break in the cafe at about 1pm and read my harry potter book.
Left about 3pm and then realised I had no idea what I did with my gloves. Suspect they're still up at Cardrona car park, or up at the big snow store in the sky.
On a side note. There was a guy who was hurt pretty bad yesterday up at the top of the lifts. A lifty told me he fractured one of the vertebrae in his neck. And that was just getting off the lift. Don't think his friends will ever let him live that one down.
Lessons Learnt
Cookie says...
Second day at Cardrona and another bluebird special. Wind picked up later which actually blew people around like a donut. Funniest thing we saw today was a kid who came rushing into the base buildings kicking his skis off, throwing his poles down and then screaming 'I'm busting!!!' and made a B line for the loos.
Bumped into the Kenmore crew again today so while Mikey was busy tenderising his rump, we cruised the other runs. Took them out to Captains Basin which they loved, plenty of room to go wide and long. Moguls didn't stop us either. We're meeting up with them later tonight for some pool and beer.
No bizzare parking attempts on the way down however we did see some tourists taking photos of a fire truck leaving QT in a hurry... because they don't have them in Japan?
Lessons Learnt
Back at Cardrona today. Getting harder and harder to get up in the morning!
Warmed up on the easy slopes then I tried one of the faster ones. Was going alright. Then I got off the lift. Thats when it got painful. Landed heavily on my buttocks. Was feeling very tender, and my butt wasn't too good either. But no! I must soldier on! So back I went up the lift. Very comfortable lift this one, padded seats, very nice on the old tush. But I stacked it again (there were a couple of successful runs in between though) and of course landed on my rump. OUCH!
Went for a break in the cafe at about 1pm and read my harry potter book.
Left about 3pm and then realised I had no idea what I did with my gloves. Suspect they're still up at Cardrona car park, or up at the big snow store in the sky.
On a side note. There was a guy who was hurt pretty bad yesterday up at the top of the lifts. A lifty told me he fractured one of the vertebrae in his neck. And that was just getting off the lift. Don't think his friends will ever let him live that one down.
Lessons Learnt
- Wear underpants made out of bubblewrap
- Take gloves off IN the car
Cookie says...
Second day at Cardrona and another bluebird special. Wind picked up later which actually blew people around like a donut. Funniest thing we saw today was a kid who came rushing into the base buildings kicking his skis off, throwing his poles down and then screaming 'I'm busting!!!' and made a B line for the loos.
Bumped into the Kenmore crew again today so while Mikey was busy tenderising his rump, we cruised the other runs. Took them out to Captains Basin which they loved, plenty of room to go wide and long. Moguls didn't stop us either. We're meeting up with them later tonight for some pool and beer.
No bizzare parking attempts on the way down however we did see some tourists taking photos of a fire truck leaving QT in a hurry... because they don't have them in Japan?
Lessons Learnt
- I can do two things at once (go fast down a slope while videoing the experience)
- Buy Mikey gloves with a leash attatched to his neck
- Buy shares in bubblewrap undies
Friday, August 24, 2007
Day 5 - NZ - Meet Adrian
Mikey, Adrian and I chairpooling
Adrian is another male homosapian from Australia who lives in Melbourne and works for Ford as an automotive designer. He uses Alias to model and style vehicles and if you've seen a Typhoon on the road then you've seen some of his handywork. He enjoys documentaries, likes wildlife and travelling.
Adrian impersonating a seagull
Day 5 - NZ
Mikey says...
At Cardrona today. About an hour drive from our hotel. First run was painfull as i landed on my butt right under the ski lifts. Right cheek was reasonably tender for the rest of the day. After that though i was cutting sic! Well I think I was anyway.
After getting my confidence up I tried a more challenging slope with a few humps and bumps in it. I mean it can't be that hard, I'd seen all the kids do it as I was going up the lift. Result: Multiple stacks and ego shattered.
Returned to easier slope where I was a lot more comfortable and confident. Maybe a bit too confident. Here's the result of me taking a turn harder than what I should've...
Lessons Learnt
Mikey Out
Cookie says...
Change of venue today (and underwear), Cardrona here we come. It was a refreshing change (both - refer first sentence). Picked up Adrian on the way along with some breakfast (bacon and egg quiche and a croissant). Made good time to get there and started the green run with Mikey before Adrian and I headed over to the runs hanging off White Star Express. Had several very quick runs and we were loving it. The boarder cross track is good fun, unless you're Mikey. Made a few passes at the jumps in terrain park then headed over the backside to Captains Basin.
After a black diamond run complete with a boarders worst enemy (moguls - large snow mounds designed for skiers) and a few other quick runs we headed back to White Star et el. Stopped for lunch along with the other half of the snowriders and headed out for some photos.
Bumped into the Kenmore crew at Fergburger tonight. Might see them at Cardies tomorrow.
Lessons Learnt
At Cardrona today. About an hour drive from our hotel. First run was painfull as i landed on my butt right under the ski lifts. Right cheek was reasonably tender for the rest of the day. After that though i was cutting sic! Well I think I was anyway.
After getting my confidence up I tried a more challenging slope with a few humps and bumps in it. I mean it can't be that hard, I'd seen all the kids do it as I was going up the lift. Result: Multiple stacks and ego shattered.
Returned to easier slope where I was a lot more comfortable and confident. Maybe a bit too confident. Here's the result of me taking a turn harder than what I should've...
Going, going... gone...
On the way down we saw japanese drifting gone wrong.
It was fun to take photos of the japanese and beat them at their own game!
Lessons Learnt
- Don't drift down unpaved roads
Mikey Out
Cookie says...
It's a hard life waking up to this view each morning but someone has to do it!
Change of venue today (and underwear), Cardrona here we come. It was a refreshing change (both - refer first sentence). Picked up Adrian on the way along with some breakfast (bacon and egg quiche and a croissant). Made good time to get there and started the green run with Mikey before Adrian and I headed over to the runs hanging off White Star Express. Had several very quick runs and we were loving it. The boarder cross track is good fun, unless you're Mikey. Made a few passes at the jumps in terrain park then headed over the backside to Captains Basin.
After a black diamond run complete with a boarders worst enemy (moguls - large snow mounds designed for skiers) and a few other quick runs we headed back to White Star et el. Stopped for lunch along with the other half of the snowriders and headed out for some photos.
Mikey is concentration personified
I found some chewing gum under my board and tried to remove it
Bumped into the Kenmore crew at Fergburger tonight. Might see them at Cardies tomorrow.
Lessons Learnt
- Avoid getting ice on your camera
- Mikey is going faster than before which makes it hard to get photos of him, especially when he didn't understand the concept of leap frog photography (photographer gets in place and subject makes a pass - repeate this process several times)
- Adrian is a better photographer than Mikey
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