Katie's Beach House

I went to Katie's beachhouse which was really cool. She spent a lot of time hanging out here while she was growing up. It's at Waikauri Bay (see the photo below) which is just south of Tawharanui (i.e. a few minutes walk).

While we were there there was an art exhibition going on which was a lot of fun. I found this shiny metal ball which was really good for taking self portraits...

Also some funny rings that I could stick my limbs through.

Katie found some wings to pose in front of...

It was a great weekend but I'm much more looking forward to the next visit as this one was slightly dampened by the fact we were both still a bit sick and didn't have the energy to venture too far. There was also an unfortunate incident where I flung a surfboard into Katie's face, giving her a blood nose but I've learnt not to do that again.

Vickis wedding

A wee while back my friend Vicki got married to her English boy. I was lucky enough to be invited along with both Howie and Cass. It was a lovely day.

I also got to sit next to this really cute chick!!!

Far out she was cute, and so well behaved too!! Just probably about 20 years too young for me... oh well, and I suppose anyway - I'm taken :)

Grandpa's 80th.

My Grandpa is 80 now! I went down to Christchurch to assist the rest of my family with the celebrating.

Firsly, gotta test the food...

It gets Tess' seal of approval...

I owe my grandparents A LOT. They've been really good to me for well... my whole life.

And since I was their only grandkid for about 5 years, it was a while until I had to start sharing the attention (until my sister came along... gee, thanks sis :P).

However, now its a bit different, since my aunts and uncles have been popping kids out (well i suppose literally, it's only the aunts that do that...) there's quite a few of us.

Some might think we're a bit odd, but as I always say, normal is boring :)

Happy birthday Grandpa, Grandma! And I look forward to hanging out again soon.

Running around the Lake...

OK so probably the highlight of February (OK, ok I know I'm still running a bit behind here, but it took a while to compile all the photos) was doing the Great Lake Relay. This is the fourth time I've done it now but the first time I sorted out my own team (with a tiny teeny incy wincy bit of help from Katie). Anyway, I must look like an old hand these days :)

It was hard work (and unpaid too!). I ran at 2am and again at around 6am. Unfortunately none of the photos taken of me at around 2am turned out that well since it's well, kinda dark at that time. However you'll have to take my word that it's a pretty amazing experience to be running at that time with the atmosphere and the support crews - its just a really cool feeling (and a bit cold temperature-wise too...so you gotta run fast!!). Any I certain enjoyed myself for bits of it, like this bit:

I ran 14.4km at 2am and another 8.5km at 6am. I was certainly well buggered by the end of it but still had to help out my team-mates and provide much needed leadership - coz they needed so much, running from point A to point B!

This is me supplying some much needed water to Cameron, one of our welcome recruits.

We even had time for a picnic while waiting for Ee (Katie's mate) to run past.

Here we are, Super Jono's Team of Doom, extremely tired and sore after a hard day's running but still able to produce a smile for the camera :)

It was an awesome day, and lots of us are looking forward to it next year! Let me know if you're keen to join my team...