WAZELTOF

So my boss said to me a couple weeks ago " Hey Warren, do you want to go to the South Island for an adventure training course" ..........."sure why not" I replied.

I have just finished the course, it was -3 most nights, PT training was 5:40am, followed by a slippery run on the icy tracks, which was followed a by swim in the ocean, no warm showers allowed. It involved bush wacking, boat rowing, endurance runs, mountain climbing, survival techniques and a shit load of thermals. Sometimes I was in a group of 12 sometimes we were left for our "solos". Everyday was full on from start to finish. Was mentally and physically challenging, never been so cold in my life, was often cursing my boss in my head. But once It was all done I am weirdly missing it. Learnt so many survival skills, made some new friends and learnt a few new things about myself.

Boat camping frost

Jellys

3 thermal tops and bottoms, 2 fleece jerseys, fleece pants, 2 beanies, gloves, thermal socks, rain proof trousers, jacket...........still cold

Love Heights...............:l

Made a Video of another South Island trip if anyone is keen, stoked on how it came out. Check it out at this link http://vimeo.com/100007628

Hello friends and family. Do people still blog? all I hear about are #hashtags now days and twittering stuff. Getting old now, definitely stagnating technology wise.

I digress, this is a quick update. I have been in NZ now for 2 and a half months, before this I spent a 10 days in Aus. Thanks Pickles and Nicola for been lovely hosts and Pickles drowning me in VB's in Manly, Schonell for a very good but very blurry night in Melbourne and Leasa for showing me the sites and the best cheesecake joint in town.

Before Aus I was back home for a month in SA. 10 years since all siblings and family have been together, stoked it finally happened. celebrated my 31st with some of the best people I know. Miss everyone.

NOW I am in New Zealand , managed to cover a lot of the North Island sussing out where to work and live, New Plymouth has become the obvious choice - Stunning back drop of the Volcano, amazing surf on my doorstep and some of the nicest people I have ever met. Shout out obviously to Jon and Lissy for letting me crash when I first arrived, and for making me Jays God father, honoured !

This is the closest I have come to been 'settled', kinda scary in some ways, but been a long time coming in other ways. I have car insurance ….guess that makes me an adult?

Work wise I am the the Intensive Family Social Worker for a Maori organisation. Really unique place to work there, when I first arrived I had to greet everyone at a welcoming ceremony by doing a Hongi (touch noses together) I was nervous to say the least and at first intimidated by most of my colleagues having face tattoos. So in my nervousness my Hongi attempts ended in a few awkward head butts. They have since forgiven this 'Pakeha' (white dude)

I have shot heaps of footage over last couple months, so will email some vids once edited …in the mean time heres a few frame grabs.

Winter is setting in so looking forward to some snowboarding and South Island trips!

adios for now