Always wear underwear

Not fully comprehending just how cold it can be in early spring in Dunedin (As an example, I can tell you it snowed on the hills surrounding the city last night - and today I got in snow, sleet, showers and sun) I went running the other day wearing shorts with no underwear. I wasnt completely foolish because I remembered to wear gloves and a tracksuit top. After 20 minutes of a cold breeze (it was also raining) blowing up one leg and out the other I knew (from a previous experience) it was time to take action. The best i could come up with in a resource limited situation (heck im not Ray mears after all - what, do you want me to weave a warmer? strap a birds nest to it? i didnt have any tape) was to take the glove from my right hand and use it to soften the edge off the artic chills blowing past junior.

Luckily nobody was running past whilst i was performing the tricky operation. I would have stood in very grave danger of being labelled the local sex pervert, with one gloved and one ungloved handthrust down the front of my trousers. In addition, I dont feel that any amount of chasing after someone trying to explain the situation whilst grasping your groinal region will convince them otherwise.

"Oh sorry, sorry.... Really its not how it looks. Only I got rather a chill. a bit cold isnt it... with the wind.

Actually, Im not wearing any undewear. I mean I...

uhh Miss, hello Miss, I... its ok im using my glove... Im using my GLOVE.. MISS......................................................................................................


I have a girlfriend."

On a not so cold day I remembered to take my camera and my underwear to the botanical gardens, so here are a few piccies of Dunedin:

Actually these were mostly taken from the Southern African Garden. So if i ever feel homesick... the great thing about it, apart from being chocka full of great smelling herby plants, aloes, proteas etc is that its probably on the sunniest face of the botanical garden! They also have an English garden. So if i ever need the toilet. That was joke, a joke! Dont be so uptight. anyway its good for the roses.

Looking towards the greenbelt area of the city with the Leith River flowing in the bottom right hand corner. Trout run up and spawn in the Leith, although when you get close to the river it doesnt look all that clean. (these hills were the ones dusted in snow this morning, they are prob about 600m high). i also saw some swallows (called Welcome Swallows, a self introduced native to NZ) skimming the water on one of the few occassions the river wasnt in speight. Like I said it rains a lot here. But it is lovely

Somewhere in this direction is Baldwin Street - officially the worlds steepest street. I hope to visit it soon. On a completely seperate note I've come up with some really fun activity ideas for Dave, Chris and Mike if they ever come to visit. (PS bring your skates)

The main area of the gardens, with a lovely glass house, and cafe etc. According to the website you cant have a BBQ or walk your dog in the gardens, but you can get married and feed the ducks. Whats the point in feeding all these ducks if youre not allowed to have a BBQ, i hear you ask, and I can only agree.

On the walk back there were an elderley couple dittering along. Older than Grandma, even though Kristen wont believe it. I dont think they meant to dawdle (they had these modern lekki hiking poles and everything), but they were old so they couldnt help it. I wasnt in a hurry, and as I ambled past I noticed the man was wearing a very nice pair of white running shoes with the word 'speed' embroidered in blue all over them. Honestly! how can you get sucked into such an advertising ploy at that age? Next week Im going loiter around the garden to sell him some ear pins to reduce wind drag.

I had something else to add but i forgot what it was in all the excitement of my future money makings.

I have worked this weekend in the garden of the local otago university librarian. And thats not the only resemblance to Mom. She also likes gardening, growing her own food, and keeps lifestock (Angora goats) that she frequently holds unrequited conversations with. I havent called her mom yet though. But she has more work for me next week and its much better than being in a pub or supermarket. And yes boet it was 8 tons of gravel. It wasnt enough either. i must confess only a moderate amount of joy at the prospect of earning more dosh when she said "I think I need to order another 8 tons" Apart from that i also scored some horse radish root out of the compost heap, Im going to make it into soup. Either that or im going to make it into horse radish sauce, pretend i can afford roast beef, and watch it go bad in the fridge.

Ah I remember now what I was going to say. Ive decided to stop washing my hair. I'm not going into details, you can do your own googling to find out the damage we do to the environment (and money we waste) using shampoo and conditioner. when did we as people suddenly make a collective decision that shampoo was essential. And im not a hippy. even Andrew Mar is giving it up. do the research! I envisage 4 - 6 weeks of bad greasy hair before i reach equilibrium. with a bit of luck my sourdough culture will also start to improve...

PS flossing and toothbrushing still going ahead as usual.
PS2 Sorry Alec and Jules if I cause a shampoo mutiny in your house (Mike, Dan - dont do it, its boring washing your hair anyway. And get your Mom to buy you some 'speed' trainers. They make you walk really really fast)
PS3 Sorry Dave that I never sent you a birthday card or message, but im working on finding a really tacky postcard to make up for it.
PS4 Sorry Sarah (in advance) that I never sent you a birthday card or message, but im working on finding a really tacky postcard for Dave to make up for it.