Mueller Hut

Mueller Hut is a bloody impressive place. The story of how the hut was built is interesting enough, but the 1,000m climb up is even better. I now know how Frodo and Sam felt when they scaled the cliffs of Mount Doom - however the views here were somewhat more attractive. And thanks to Karl I am now officially addicted to dried Mango.

First Xmas - Marlborough Sounds

Austria with Steph (Vienna)

Vienna was a real contrast to the previous couple of days in Salzberg. We spent most of our time wandering the vast streets looking at all the grand buildings. We took in a classical concert and drunk lots of Gluhwein at the Christmas markets to try and warm up.

We had a bit of a nightmare getting back to London though. We were meant to fly out of a little airport across the Austrian border in Bratislava, but with heavy fog this proved to be impossible. After much delay we got on some buses and headed to goodness only knows where (maybe Brno or Budapest?). We finally arrived back in London at about 3am with an hour or so still to get home from Stansted. Good ol' Ryan Air for you!

Mmmm Gluhwein - a great way to warm up

Austria with Steph (Salzberg)

I love Salzberg - what a fantastic little city! Steph and I had a great time seeing the sights - and who could resist the Sound of Music tour :) The scenery was obviously quite different in the middle of winter though! We took in all the Christmas markets, ate our way through Goulash and Apple Strudel and had a fantastic couple of days here. We also found a brilliant beer hall to while away a few hours.....

Christmas lights, markets and the CastleThe Sound of Music tour:

Apple Strudel - yum!

Queen Charlotte track - Marlborough Sounds

Barcelona with Becs and Lena

A night on the Sangria at a cheesy seaside resort:
Magic FountainsGaudi architecture
Sagrada Familia Catching some rays at Park Guell

Mt Holdsworth

A brilliant day out with Dean walking up the 1500 metres to Mount Holdsworth. It was pretty tough going in places for my little legs but well worth it at the top. We were rewarded with absolutely amazing views from Powell Hutt out over the Tararua Range, Wairarapa farmland, and even through to Wellington city.

We started a little late in the day so it was a pretty swift descent before the dark set in, rounded off by some well deserved Cookie Times :)