tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293759282024-03-19T23:52:48.730+13:00the lifebox archivework and personal bits and piecesJayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-2484289879223697342009-03-13T11:19:00.004+13:002009-03-13T12:02:16.865+13:00OLPC test-a-thonIt has always been important to me to have some of my personal time devoted to community work. I enjoy it more than anything and always feels good to contribute in some way. While I was at university I volunteered at the Community Law Centre and Radio One at Otago University, but since then salaried employment made it difficult to divide up life so I could fit it in. Now as a self-employed business owner I have more control over my time, and as a member of <a href="http://www.up.org.nz">Unlimited Potential </a>and on the committee organising <a href="http://www.penguinsvisiting.org.nz/">linux.conf.au 2010</a>, I now have more than enough to keep me occupied in my spare time.<br /><br />This weekend UP is running an event at the <a href="http://www.thecross.co.nz/">Southern Cross Bar and Restaurant</a> called the <a href="http://www.up.org.nz/olpc-test-athon/">OLPC test-a-thon</a>. If you haven't ever heard of <a href="http://laptop.org/en/">One Laptop Per Child</a>, its an inspirational story. The project began at MIT with the idea that it should be possible to make a laptop for around $100 that can survive in hot equatorial regions, so that virtually every child could have access to a computer. They are distributed to schools and communities in developing countries so children in those countries get access to e-books, and communication tools, games and activities that promote learning and knowledge and try to limit the 'digital divide'. The software running on the laptops is open sourced, and is constantly improved and updated courtesy of volunteers around the globe, even in Wellington. A small group of volunteers have been regularly gathering every Saturday at the Southern Cross to work on the software and contribute to the project. <br /><br />To assist them its always great to have kids to test out the unique interface, and so this Saturday Unlimited Potential want to help support the work that they do and promote a test-a-thon. Adults and kids alike are welcome to come along and learn about and test the laptops at 10.30am this Saturday. Martin Langhoff and his team of volunteers will be there to demonstrate the games and activities to talk briefly about the work of OLPC. Unlimited Potential will be there to giveaway prizes and some free coffees, and a free brunch to a lucky individual. <a href="http://www.up.org.nz/olpc-test-athon/">Register now to save your place.</a>Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-80890753275869003402008-09-22T18:01:00.004+12:002008-10-01T16:42:01.489+13:00post SFD wrapWhat a great day Software Freedom Day turned out to be in Wellington this year. Thanks to <a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/nat/">Nat Torkington</a> for coming down to host and again to all organisers and sponsors for their contributions. But an even bigger thanks to everyone who came. It was amazing to see <a href="http://www.softwarefreedomday.org.nz/infocollector/collectionlist/63">over 215 registrations</a> with most of those turning into attendance on the day.<br /><br /><a href="http://coffee.geek.nz/">Brenda</a> will be writing up the event for our global competition entry so send your thoughts about the day through to her so she can include your feedback. We would love to run an event again next year for Software Freedom Day '09, and most of the organisers met this week to ensure that happens.<br /><br />The barcamp is a phenomenon for the uninitiated and can take some getting used to. I experienced my first barcamp at kiwifoo in 2007. There I met colleagues from the ICT industry, participated in discussions with thought leaders and listened to new concepts and ideas I'd never heard before. I was buzzing afterwards, and that's the kind of reaction I was hopeful at least some of those who attended on the weekend were going to have.<br /><br />The barcamp is an unorganised conference or 'unconference' where anyone attending can decide on a subject for a session at the start of the day. It is up to those attending each session to contribute to the discussion and raise their own related thoughts and views. It generally works really well and encourages everyone to participate. The photos of all the sessions topics are up on flickr, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=SFD+wellington+2008">as are all the photos taken throughout the day</a>. <br /><br />The hackfest was a hive of discussion, testing and installs, and an addictive place to be. Jethro and Brenda created a casual meeting place with sofas at one end and tables at the other for those bringing serious hardware for the installfest. It was nice that if you felt like it you could break from the structure of the barcamp sessions and chill at the hackfest and drink copious amounts of coffee courtesy of havana and Fletch. One of the highlights of Software Freedom Day was seeing the kids arriving with parents and testing out the latest shipment of laptops from <a href="http://www.laptop.org/">One Laptop Per Child</a>. Next year we hope to have even more activities for the kids (watch out for the bouncy castle).<br /><br />The giveaways were a huge hit, from the Sun and Fedora CDs, Sun t's and other google goodies, to the webstock prize drawn at afternoon tea time by Tash Hall <a href="http://www.webstock.org.nz/">from the webstock team</a>. Congratulations to Richard Clark for winning the Golden ticket to webstock next year, and to our other two winners of the InternetNZ books 'Connecting the Clouds'. <br /><br />Thanks again to everyone who helped organise the day, and made SFD Wellington an awesome event!Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-83121105519523757292008-09-18T10:43:00.012+12:002008-09-21T11:17:36.230+12:00Software Freedom Day 08Really excited about <a href="http://www.softwarefreedomday.org.nz">Software Freedom Day</a> this Saturday. When I enthusiastically put my hand up to organise it at our <a href="http://www.up.org.nz">Unlimited Potential</a> meeting, its a good thing I had no idea of the volume of work involved, but it has just become this wonderful thing! CWA New Media offered to help design and build a website to take registrations, Don and Chris at Catalyst IT came on board and then Brenda, Jethro and Martin Langhoff from One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) put their hands up to organise the hackfest. Nat is coming down to host from Auckland, and ICT networks from all around Wellington are pulling in together to help organise and sponsor. Suddenly I find myself having to do new things like apply for custom codes to receive goodies from Google and Sun Microsystems from overseas. I am biased but Wellington is really where its at right now for good ICT vibe!<br /><br />The event is going to feature an ‘open source barcamp’ allowing participants to discuss their thoughts, ideas and experiences with open source software and a ‘hackfest’/'installfest' which will offer participants the opportunity to participate and the SuperHappyDevHouse hack-a-thon, demonstrate open source software to a captive audience, and have open source software (such as Linux) installed on their computer with help from the WellyLUG team. There will be free wifi, expresso courtesy of havana, an afternoon tea and after a short wrap up session at 6pm, pizza and beer!<br /><br />All those registered for Software Freedom Day ‘08, and in attendance on the day will also have the chance to win an $895 ‘golden ticket’ to Webstock ’09 <http://www.webstock.org.nz/> and associated swag (thanks to the generosity of the Webstock team). InternetNZ have also donated two books which will also be part of the prize draw.<br /><br />I had some tinny luck myself at mini-webstock last week, with my name being pulled from the hat for a Golden Ticket to webstock. I was utterly stunned and didn't quite know what to do when my name was called. I'm stoked to be able to attend in Feb next year, its a big event and there are some awesome speakers lined-up. <br /><br />On Saturday, thanks to many of our sponsors there will be a giveaway table with some free goodies for everyone.<br /><br />Software Freedom Day ‘08 proudly organised and sponsored by <a href="http://www.up.org.nz">Unlimited Potential</a>, <a href="http://www.cwa.co.nz">CWA New Media</a>, <a href="http://nzoss.org.nz/">New Zealand Open Source Society (NZOSS)</a>, <a href="http://superhappydevhouse.org.nz/">SuperHappyDevHouse</a>, <a href="http://www.wellylug.org.nz/">WellyLUG</a>, <a href="http://www.ideegeo.com">Ideegeo</a>, <a href="http://www.morphoss.com/">Morphoss</a>, <a href="http://www.cafenet.co.nz/">Cafenet</a>, <a href="http://www.catalyst.net.nz/">Catalyst IT</a>, <a href="http://nz.sun.com/">Sun Microsystems</a>, <a href="http://www.920.co.nz/">920</a>, <a href="http://www.growwellington.co.nz/">Grow Wellington</a>, <a href="http://www.gen-i.co.nz/Pages/Gen-iHomePage.aspx">Gen-i</a>, <a href="http://www.silverstripe.com/">Silverstripe</a>, <a href="http://www.xero.com/">Xero</a>, <a href="http://code.google.com/opensource/">Google</a>, <a href="http://www.webstock.org.nz/">Webstock</a> and <a href="http://www.internetnz.net.nz/">InternetNZ</a>.<br /><br />So come along. It's not to late to register here <a href="http://www.softwarefreedomday.org.nz">www.softwarefreedomday.org.nz</a>Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-33057427491557964162008-07-09T09:31:00.003+12:002008-07-09T19:40:15.719+12:00Start-Up, UP and AwayLooking forward to the <a href="http://www.up.org.nz/silicon-welly-startup-party/">Start-Up, UP and Away party tomorrow night</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://start-up.co.nz/">Start-Up Media</a> are currently filming a tv series focussing on profiling NZ's online community, and at the same launching the 2nd edition of Start-Up magazine. The event is effectively a Wellington launch of the magazine and will be hosted by Start-UP Media, <a href="http://www.up.org.nz/">Unlimited Potential</a> and <a href="http://www.siliconwelly.com/">SiliconWelly</a>, a community of Wellington based, NZ-owned technology business innovators. Thanks to UP sponsors, and HP and Telecom particularly for helping out with this event. We also have some cool swag courtesy of Cafenet, Mojo and Hell Pizza, and of course a Start-UP magazine for all those who sign up to attend.<br /> <br />It's free to join UP and <a href="http://www.up.org.nz/silicon-welly-startup-party/">reserve your ticket for the event</a>, and its a great networking opportunity for anyone in the ICT community in Wellington. Come along for a celebration of all things Welly and a fine story of Start-Up success.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-65432465460787499182008-06-25T16:05:00.003+12:002008-06-25T23:36:04.087+12:00juggling bits and piecesWorking on a web-based startup fulltime is really only possible if you have a large amount of cash behind you, and even then most investors will want their money poured in to the business idea not your salary - fair enough! <br /><br />This means though that you have to juggle a bit to find the right balance between earning enough money to pay for weddings and still maintain a caffeine addition, while having good opportunities to focus on your web project.<br /><br />Just finished preparing a paper I will be presenting at a <a href="http://www.lexisnexis.co.nz/conferences/seminars/2008/TurningPolicyIntoLegislation/default.asp">Lexisnexis conference</a> entitled Turning Policy into Legislation. Looking forward to the opportunity of catching up with ex-work colleagues from the Office of the Clerk and the Parliamentary Counsel Office and meeting other conference attendees. <br /><br />While I'm juggling things a bit at the moment, I'm lucky to have a flexible income source in the form of a government consulting company <a href="http://fivepeas.blogspot.com/2008/06/life-inside-beehive.html">fivepeas limited</a>. If there's one thing I've learned - its important to secure an income of some sort to give you as much freedom and time as possible for when you start working on your idea.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-62782464866835372402008-06-18T10:03:00.027+12:002008-06-18T16:44:51.681+12:00engaged in italyJust returned from an amazing holiday in Italy following the wedding in Spain, with the highlight being Glynn's proposal late one evening on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio">Ponte Vecchio</a> in Florence. Just loved Florence which came in the middle of our short tour of Italy. Our trail leading from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome">Rome</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence">Florence</a> by train, then a tour around Tuscany in a hire car which included visits to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena">Siena</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Gimignano">San Gimignano</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisa">Pisa</a>, and then up to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinque_Terre">Cinque Terre</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucca">Lucca</a> and full circle returning to Florence, and then back on the eurostar to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice">Venice</a>. All in 8 days! Here are some photos of our tour and the ring.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rome (Roma)<br /></span><br />On our first evening in Rome we wandered from our accommodation in the Vatican District <a href="http://www.antiquaroma.com/">B&B Antiqua Roma</a> (brilliant B&B) to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Steps">Spanish Steps</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain">Fontana di Trevi</a> or Trevi Fountain, both major sites in the city. As is the custom we turned our backs to the fountain and threw in our coins to ensure we would return to Roma.<br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYHKO436OFM66SxbDvGHpEDpey93d6uIxoI5V-sGIDdRWkbXd4k9qniLwDbCAewVqEeF6IRP3184WAq-o6WeyBC2FGo6M3ayeGRv9kVzRmD2kQqQ5pvYqV_xIH8zYDnxxmjAMzw/s1600-h/Rome2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYHKO436OFM66SxbDvGHpEDpey93d6uIxoI5V-sGIDdRWkbXd4k9qniLwDbCAewVqEeF6IRP3184WAq-o6WeyBC2FGo6M3ayeGRv9kVzRmD2kQqQ5pvYqV_xIH8zYDnxxmjAMzw/s200/Rome2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212977860043542018" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeqZrEm86ePLBNE_rSJby-9JZIxjrjL92Jc0vqqgDq1kQr626EXCQgBFlMIYghaXE2V23pnFH4EVx0XjsUo3uZW4y-vLTso1PB84O85LVOcscCcdRHVk6oPkPwZA8ckON-GcbOA/s1600-h/Rome1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeqZrEm86ePLBNE_rSJby-9JZIxjrjL92Jc0vqqgDq1kQr626EXCQgBFlMIYghaXE2V23pnFH4EVx0XjsUo3uZW4y-vLTso1PB84O85LVOcscCcdRHVk6oPkPwZA8ckON-GcbOA/s200/Rome1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212977870010854866" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />The next day we were up early because of jetlag and toured St Peter's Basilica and the Square, and then around the corner to the Vatican Museums to see the Sistene Chapel and the Raphael Rooms. All absolutely incredible and well worth seeing, but it really pays to go early. We emerged onto the streets at 10.30am to find queues 6 blocks long. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrFilhZLa2ngsTIGZZRLkb0AgGpObcHQcqVbK4WRaS7x603uUG18zrxyDijUbajLzprvYN97OzSRYoHGPbFIXkeuPF_vJTZKba1ixjHcm1j_PaP5DfpxVcofe-5bsmNMsSp3X2Q/s1600-h/Rome5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrFilhZLa2ngsTIGZZRLkb0AgGpObcHQcqVbK4WRaS7x603uUG18zrxyDijUbajLzprvYN97OzSRYoHGPbFIXkeuPF_vJTZKba1ixjHcm1j_PaP5DfpxVcofe-5bsmNMsSp3X2Q/s200/Rome5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978387232843650" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePKn_QRMBLpxj0nzfTDN9L5Mw6U3cTY4OyoIjjgQ5Z9anbbG3I5_xXR25bv5pQjMG6do-ArMYo4A7wj1tj5G02AK0czayD4m7mEfUyni3lHqh7WaZChwQR9Q2dnLp7ulCdS4z2w/s1600-h/St+Peters1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePKn_QRMBLpxj0nzfTDN9L5Mw6U3cTY4OyoIjjgQ5Z9anbbG3I5_xXR25bv5pQjMG6do-ArMYo4A7wj1tj5G02AK0czayD4m7mEfUyni3lHqh7WaZChwQR9Q2dnLp7ulCdS4z2w/s200/St+Peters1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213016140800961890" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoBi9xC9FWYXVpC6UaYw4ZnUujmZSx7mDBd5Xw52VNTwZiHePnjXfX3xybJhfvKOMn6JyI2BF0DadDfgf-KTIjIBPoo0drQAD1hP1MaQ5hgo3OhF5Z1AIhyphenhyphen71qnvQhP2PdQILKA/s1600-h/Rome3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoBi9xC9FWYXVpC6UaYw4ZnUujmZSx7mDBd5Xw52VNTwZiHePnjXfX3xybJhfvKOMn6JyI2BF0DadDfgf-KTIjIBPoo0drQAD1hP1MaQ5hgo3OhF5Z1AIhyphenhyphen71qnvQhP2PdQILKA/s200/Rome3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212977874085753618" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoFQQKkA4XCi1Yk2nZBwq66ibdCpv5Syskdvavldl-PflmNqO9d1XMuvSItVvUj0sh64CL3VlUsrtUI226Zb8xHz57EOoUBJ5IxMXXR87hCw8FX106nEU3xSmmm7oD0woe71MHQ/s1600-h/Rome4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoFQQKkA4XCi1Yk2nZBwq66ibdCpv5Syskdvavldl-PflmNqO9d1XMuvSItVvUj0sh64CL3VlUsrtUI226Zb8xHz57EOoUBJ5IxMXXR87hCw8FX106nEU3xSmmm7oD0woe71MHQ/s200/Rome4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212977877224702130" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />Despite the rainy weather, we flagged the idea of catching the tour bus around the city in favour of walking everywhere. In search of roman remains we visited the Pantheon which is probably the best place to see the most intact remnants of the period. Most ruins in the city are literally rubble that require a great deal of imagination or a personal tour guide to really bring it all to life. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSxxgu7xyEVe-7JdNeXB2yge2Ysi1Z5KmZl-e9TCVxfr0BgIoNnV9StsR4t5RIRCIhgDdwkVHXZHmJiOkdTxmwkIztaRndFEPKJkRUPMz6ljh3DL-cSU897fiv2nlOGKMKbDs5g/s1600-h/Rome+pantheon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSxxgu7xyEVe-7JdNeXB2yge2Ysi1Z5KmZl-e9TCVxfr0BgIoNnV9StsR4t5RIRCIhgDdwkVHXZHmJiOkdTxmwkIztaRndFEPKJkRUPMz6ljh3DL-cSU897fiv2nlOGKMKbDs5g/s200/Rome+pantheon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212990995745985170" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'd been missing my coffee rituals and Roma didn't disappoint with great expresso and a good excuse to sit down in Piazza Navona and watch people escaping the thunderstorm.<br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVz9IxkVng797aVE4XqC0IjQYMciGB95pR2ffKqpsFncHonPuy0GU0tcTleYUjxWDQwGjtpq9pDtYO5epHkY6o4rZ9S9dibnVZJcMet9EOxFlo79IQHTrl7dQqNRxOPHZC06AJA/s1600-h/Rome+finals1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVz9IxkVng797aVE4XqC0IjQYMciGB95pR2ffKqpsFncHonPuy0GU0tcTleYUjxWDQwGjtpq9pDtYO5epHkY6o4rZ9S9dibnVZJcMet9EOxFlo79IQHTrl7dQqNRxOPHZC06AJA/s200/Rome+finals1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213000910161625714" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxTD0oBzH1Hq1kj3eNJvwCcVeDAbFo-ZeIzztB1qLEIBFnVKmn7-S_vFXvu7fDmBHa_K2elhsg0j_E3Jh8g-pt0cy97Rn2KjExNFp_esbfewb2kPsXmbjwDDP2TpQZNPAAkuB6Q/s1600-h/Rome+finals3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxTD0oBzH1Hq1kj3eNJvwCcVeDAbFo-ZeIzztB1qLEIBFnVKmn7-S_vFXvu7fDmBHa_K2elhsg0j_E3Jh8g-pt0cy97Rn2KjExNFp_esbfewb2kPsXmbjwDDP2TpQZNPAAkuB6Q/s200/Rome+finals3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212990997156811346" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />If you go to the Vatican on Wednesdays you can have an audience with the Pope. He usually appears on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square but since it was raining he sat in the Bascilica and delivered his welcome in several different languages. We just happened to be there to witness it all, and the circus of photography and screams from the tourists made it felt more like a Hollywood production than a spiritual blessing.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpzqHp6RzCrJ8hxJLnpwAy7lAo6Bgv4CzWGzoD2KlyhO4BKEsmggsJtye5C-y3_P8h86saioV6Tir0j7e8BESVhISBoTu25iaYOLnvcAMt1qOwzNdHocq_js0vjBVZl9wLfdyFA/s1600-h/St+Peters+guards1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpzqHp6RzCrJ8hxJLnpwAy7lAo6Bgv4CzWGzoD2KlyhO4BKEsmggsJtye5C-y3_P8h86saioV6Tir0j7e8BESVhISBoTu25iaYOLnvcAMt1qOwzNdHocq_js0vjBVZl9wLfdyFA/s200/St+Peters+guards1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213019007461646034" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuyj4nha5VOq04S87vMCMDjw2lSzEb8S-AfRAw_7_1cCmHLuz27OlsoSfkrZjJPTQqujjqnl7OEjcv8FvHy-1J9sm2lK3afNxNx_BjWIkdI805b6jPpfF3HOnGW3epI_Qtrp8w/s1600-h/Rome8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHuyj4nha5VOq04S87vMCMDjw2lSzEb8S-AfRAw_7_1cCmHLuz27OlsoSfkrZjJPTQqujjqnl7OEjcv8FvHy-1J9sm2lK3afNxNx_BjWIkdI805b6jPpfF3HOnGW3epI_Qtrp8w/s200/Rome8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978396540750562" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />One of our last stops in Roma was the Colesseum which is surrounded in the Roman ruins of the Forum. You can buy a ticket to see both and instead of an audio guide we opted for a video tour which recreates a virtual view of the colosseum. It's a clever gadget called the TimeMachine which you sling around your neck and hold up as you walk around certain points in the stadium while it generates images of the colesseum as it once was. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgOaRjuT15cuwzQydWEMyuWgnBI1ZEhCQTw8lC32aAoISRqLzWjhNxe-3aWocTBUKR-_5JjVnJ8tLKoNJROJc-0-em-rDP2ePjgKYLdl7PeQj5HH09-NlZ8_BNjKclSwKEErN9g/s1600-h/Rome6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgOaRjuT15cuwzQydWEMyuWgnBI1ZEhCQTw8lC32aAoISRqLzWjhNxe-3aWocTBUKR-_5JjVnJ8tLKoNJROJc-0-em-rDP2ePjgKYLdl7PeQj5HH09-NlZ8_BNjKclSwKEErN9g/s200/Rome6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978391415223506" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QswoUBiewL_lAQrdPfTa4ZbuyaT7KBaRG0X1dkAqtXn4ET9sj2TMF0_BUT1RthCWJ9OOwa9GTrlJJgp9xc-o3mA1DZU13iOF-C6uyH39E8LC6zD0I6_7Y_7l76mS9ahnoHuDXA/s1600-h/Rome7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QswoUBiewL_lAQrdPfTa4ZbuyaT7KBaRG0X1dkAqtXn4ET9sj2TMF0_BUT1RthCWJ9OOwa9GTrlJJgp9xc-o3mA1DZU13iOF-C6uyH39E8LC6zD0I6_7Y_7l76mS9ahnoHuDXA/s200/Rome7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978396760284882" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdq9yzVPWilt4zQLtMNQQspWPMLYZGqbYVXaes26_vBJWvwwCwYR9f_yhWVxTq_zM_yNClxdjTYHouM9YJ4t42YW-3R56bJYnmC_P0b03EvLPtpdbDnE4NQND6OkAoBXctt6GSA/s1600-h/Colesseum1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdq9yzVPWilt4zQLtMNQQspWPMLYZGqbYVXaes26_vBJWvwwCwYR9f_yhWVxTq_zM_yNClxdjTYHouM9YJ4t42YW-3R56bJYnmC_P0b03EvLPtpdbDnE4NQND6OkAoBXctt6GSA/s200/Colesseum1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212990953084102898" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Florence (Firenze)</span><br /><br />We took the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurostar_Italia">Eurostar</a> to Florence, and at 250 km/ph we arrived in 1hr and 50mins. We were staying not far from the station at <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/hotelcaravaggiofirenze.en.html">Hotel Caravaggio</a> which thankfully had wifi internet. I loved Florence, partly because it all seemed more accessible than Roma with the tourists slightly less obvious, and the music and culture more prominent. The food was absolutely incredible and the amount of pasta we ate defies belief. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf4ZWbfSVtUr_lHvZz1sfuUqkmkKWzQ8J7x1kYWQCqQA6qaM5I_7-3GdcNIX2J8-XCgVLqbOXvzKKD8B9QNZcBrEGxxAgQZiwOVZco8YjR0z46KZmU1Pd5IIp5hsdyyxG7w5n5w/s1600-h/Florence+duomo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf4ZWbfSVtUr_lHvZz1sfuUqkmkKWzQ8J7x1kYWQCqQA6qaM5I_7-3GdcNIX2J8-XCgVLqbOXvzKKD8B9QNZcBrEGxxAgQZiwOVZco8YjR0z46KZmU1Pd5IIp5hsdyyxG7w5n5w/s200/Florence+duomo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212990991678951026" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtWcRrqFWHpLKwfr2k9l1VP3zirC8QINYsLfBqSxJvElcFYhk7-agF4oPLogfXPyCf6pIUCkC9XgIBUE2-sLwoWhWq5YTRxQHn42fV5nUQ-1Y-HQcmIKgYWqQa9sDYojgvzXEHA/s1600-h/Florence1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtWcRrqFWHpLKwfr2k9l1VP3zirC8QINYsLfBqSxJvElcFYhk7-agF4oPLogfXPyCf6pIUCkC9XgIBUE2-sLwoWhWq5YTRxQHn42fV5nUQ-1Y-HQcmIKgYWqQa9sDYojgvzXEHA/s200/Florence1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978931340884130" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />The highlight of our entire trip came our first evening after the most delicious meal I can ever remember having at <a href="http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/">La Giostra</a>. Glynn managed to guide me across the city completely unaware to Ponte Vecchio and proposed on the bridge late in the evening. I said yes (of course) and we enjoyed a lovely stroll over the famous bridge and around the piazzas in the city. A night to remember!<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2la7no4dNjmBpLd0fg6aXlVVwnciH-4NsZAg7Zjb8VGcPStglofqwPp7D8oWk_KnaMY7bZykhF3GuErdczGgCbqI-Q73CI0Xg4tjaNR5y7cspT4EaWev_Rqdjd7GmX5LK2LAQg/s1600-h/Florence2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2la7no4dNjmBpLd0fg6aXlVVwnciH-4NsZAg7Zjb8VGcPStglofqwPp7D8oWk_KnaMY7bZykhF3GuErdczGgCbqI-Q73CI0Xg4tjaNR5y7cspT4EaWev_Rqdjd7GmX5LK2LAQg/s200/Florence2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978931742040258" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokV-882b5ZVCPzjTtzuJEu8pVtMs463xy9KJzxCUAx0wemBbIg0WU0PaIoktK0d3oExhhxLEIegBJ27f0JQM7qzEkl0b5GDxD76zzy8Vlexm86LAPj6FBE4IoiRuEmp0E5rir9w/s1600-h/Florence3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokV-882b5ZVCPzjTtzuJEu8pVtMs463xy9KJzxCUAx0wemBbIg0WU0PaIoktK0d3oExhhxLEIegBJ27f0JQM7qzEkl0b5GDxD76zzy8Vlexm86LAPj6FBE4IoiRuEmp0E5rir9w/s200/Florence3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978943370067778" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />The bridge is historic, not only because it is famous for proposals. The current structure that crosses the river Arno, was built in the 1300s following a series of wooden bridges built originally by the romans at the same location. Jewellery stores line the bridge which apparently was saved from being bombed during WW2 under express orders from Hitler. In search of a ring we went back to the bridge in the light of day but the tourists had taken over so we decided to wait till Venice to see if we would have more luck there. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ8Es-OXTWnholQmQDmq81GhdiffKpenRqkyRQtbzpAupoEjHCBGA6gikK5qkWjzwpxHh85t78CCzt0TtPlzsRDn-j3fgY773DvZdKPt0Aqv8fRHv5mZ86x605h9n-F3Twugl-g/s1600-h/Florence4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ8Es-OXTWnholQmQDmq81GhdiffKpenRqkyRQtbzpAupoEjHCBGA6gikK5qkWjzwpxHh85t78CCzt0TtPlzsRDn-j3fgY773DvZdKPt0Aqv8fRHv5mZ86x605h9n-F3Twugl-g/s200/Florence4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212978942182559730" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSp33BCE-JPTnDpHOkyS3hvA0MEVnojqloSUCS2yJUa9PlqfEJdSt7ctqVGTfUTD3_VoL7YyfXcnT1BP10Vt7INbIhh4pGAUVSHsbX8ybNDLyYJhtGrQH1CNwWOHIrualc0uYAg/s1600-h/Florence+PV1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSp33BCE-JPTnDpHOkyS3hvA0MEVnojqloSUCS2yJUa9PlqfEJdSt7ctqVGTfUTD3_VoL7YyfXcnT1BP10Vt7INbIhh4pGAUVSHsbX8ybNDLyYJhtGrQH1CNwWOHIrualc0uYAg/s200/Florence+PV1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212990965994476802" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Tuscany (Toscana) - Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena, Pisa, Lucca</span> <br /><br />We said goodbye to Florence and hired a car for a two day adventure into Tuscany. We weren't sure whether we would make it up to the Cinque Terre so we just played it by ear with only one night's accommodation booked in San Gimignano.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYU592PEti91KM33G8zq6QE4O8VO1-i6UoUM8woYblFp5zXNkGnhLGZMNWx-cV6tdHfBL4ZANyLSb-remN6-PpqjTXQU57mrXRQYmmEy-ZDCemIsbhS8cLyI6hgigr69WijgtGQ/s1600-h/Chianti2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYU592PEti91KM33G8zq6QE4O8VO1-i6UoUM8woYblFp5zXNkGnhLGZMNWx-cV6tdHfBL4ZANyLSb-remN6-PpqjTXQU57mrXRQYmmEy-ZDCemIsbhS8cLyI6hgigr69WijgtGQ/s200/Chianti2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213006982254043954" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBNCgeYcc9WnLlDcJ3up09irseoJaiYxf5tdBndbNqVXExsQUIyg89DJwkfJlFtEBmBT8110RwwIv4_bb_Yl-MNu1Xb3vM7Mr-dMWuwjMunyjV458IIbAbgnF4FVV4OlflxMBEQ/s1600-h/Chianti1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBNCgeYcc9WnLlDcJ3up09irseoJaiYxf5tdBndbNqVXExsQUIyg89DJwkfJlFtEBmBT8110RwwIv4_bb_Yl-MNu1Xb3vM7Mr-dMWuwjMunyjV458IIbAbgnF4FVV4OlflxMBEQ/s200/Chianti1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213006980658658194" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />We took the back roads and drove to Siena through the chianti region and stopped at a tiny village called Fonterutoli for a wine tasting and purchase. We learnt that to retain the chianti name, the local wine must be produced using 80% San Giovese grapes. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY6KNPU9i3pcA0syXwvHL3fxlG0eiC63FDvNkRh9uxH-mz_44uUfeysDUXeuB42N_pzEXeVGbLC-QpAEFn0LgeQqcw-Z4j6kbgDm4ByN3lYnbsEitGg_sR2vD3rrcy-VGlYtMAg/s1600-h/Chianti3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY6KNPU9i3pcA0syXwvHL3fxlG0eiC63FDvNkRh9uxH-mz_44uUfeysDUXeuB42N_pzEXeVGbLC-QpAEFn0LgeQqcw-Z4j6kbgDm4ByN3lYnbsEitGg_sR2vD3rrcy-VGlYtMAg/s200/Chianti3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213006982427522882" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7yk2IxZD55YKoLQ4dN6-BZohiBBytojrA4kgFcKD-eq7z17HwaxVSmgaqh9lVGVXq3TBjRPto9S6MlH6tYqzx0wcLSuAZcl09_6zUoc136FA0aNylD2qWpmb3fmgGVqog1PAGQ/s1600-h/Chianti4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7yk2IxZD55YKoLQ4dN6-BZohiBBytojrA4kgFcKD-eq7z17HwaxVSmgaqh9lVGVXq3TBjRPto9S6MlH6tYqzx0wcLSuAZcl09_6zUoc136FA0aNylD2qWpmb3fmgGVqog1PAGQ/s200/Chianti4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213006988637982322" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />Glynn looked at me sideways when I compared some parts of the tuscan countryside to the rolling hills outside Dunedin but certain parts of the region really did remind me of New Zealand, mainly Central Otago with all the vineyards. We stopped for lunch at <a href="http://www.vescine.it">Il Borgo di Vescine</a> and looked out over the vines while we enjoyed a platter of meat, cheese and bread. Magic.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xwKVFL5cXKtSivl9xFZeFU2AG3pAIX56URDLspjAhoP5Q5f2n18yzhqP-PTL0AsoAXgnkmpikOhLAr3KPMkmOy-NlB0GETMqxgfaAQSMCxLh2wJzcCl5RJZyWeM7t7x2q9EVkg/s1600-h/Tuscany+%26+Pisa4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xwKVFL5cXKtSivl9xFZeFU2AG3pAIX56URDLspjAhoP5Q5f2n18yzhqP-PTL0AsoAXgnkmpikOhLAr3KPMkmOy-NlB0GETMqxgfaAQSMCxLh2wJzcCl5RJZyWeM7t7x2q9EVkg/s200/Tuscany+%26+Pisa4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980250248548770" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixWugYfTvtW331wo2rxNkxfq8bDEzyobmjeIVkOBsTxHlWopu6YD0yMcPSJmfRbGipX_w6jcTWAhSNXIxoOt-SdL4dENSi2rbmY4YoS96iDtIhfwZN9RhADjtgJH5sDQSy01NiA/s1600-h/Tuscany+and+Pisa1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixWugYfTvtW331wo2rxNkxfq8bDEzyobmjeIVkOBsTxHlWopu6YD0yMcPSJmfRbGipX_w6jcTWAhSNXIxoOt-SdL4dENSi2rbmY4YoS96iDtIhfwZN9RhADjtgJH5sDQSy01NiA/s200/Tuscany+and+Pisa1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213000917555375090" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />A short stop in Siena, an ancient walled city with a maze of narrow one way alleys that restrict vehicle traffic to a minimum. On our fifth day of rain we decided to abandon common sense and drive our hire car straight into the walled city to try and park up outside the town square. After a bit of kiwi she'll be right and some hair raising moments for the irishman driving under instruction, we found ourselves parked two minutes walk from the main piazza and fountain, and time for another one of those italian coffees. It can be done, but wouldn't recommend it in hindsight.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5ZMHxJCA6nXV0rI4IuBJ6xnFsnnM7cMngZQfXO3m8oNPWwd2lcDyDhWu-8gKuQlGLkzTi0vYC9kaKF9IJclHGotzFzptlwJCW2fbpDBvvMFWlthL6LbP5Ha1F78Q5FLvCA-XsA/s1600-h/Siena+fountain1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5ZMHxJCA6nXV0rI4IuBJ6xnFsnnM7cMngZQfXO3m8oNPWwd2lcDyDhWu-8gKuQlGLkzTi0vYC9kaKF9IJclHGotzFzptlwJCW2fbpDBvvMFWlthL6LbP5Ha1F78Q5FLvCA-XsA/s200/Siena+fountain1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213005169362098098" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CjX5gZB0owQMMjQrLEy28S7200-w8oH5wle4sSkI6dDUUykMZdZLylM1gHxJmmH2ga_7QJhNSATR0CwRt-Gsw6bM2-LGzGPGfTVsrOZzCEmOW7jwqtQsyaB1jlHMoGLCYE4Q7w/s1600-h/Tuscany+and+Pisa2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CjX5gZB0owQMMjQrLEy28S7200-w8oH5wle4sSkI6dDUUykMZdZLylM1gHxJmmH2ga_7QJhNSATR0CwRt-Gsw6bM2-LGzGPGfTVsrOZzCEmOW7jwqtQsyaB1jlHMoGLCYE4Q7w/s200/Tuscany+and+Pisa2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213000924183458562" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />It just didn't take as long as we thought to drive around the Tuscan region so we found ourselves with ample time that evening to stroll around San Gimignano, have dinner and enjoy "The Best Gelato in the World" - although not as good as Karl's at <a href="http://www.kaffeeeis.co.nz/">Kaffee Eis</a> in Wellington. Our accommodation <a href="http://www.pescille.com/pescille/index.php">Hotel Pescille</a> on the outskirts of the walled city was located on a beautiful vineyard. Although it was a cool evening we enjoyed a glass of their wine outside looking back at the famous skyline of the medieval city.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38XT-yzFPOOo3Ud-_7qog0uwKQV9OQW8ARMefgjlmOAQ_yjmdqqonU3M11EjCfGKzGpUzlr1Op_Bo_8BacxmMjodzd7CqRSeMO7kM3wG-7e6s6XPmF8Rv8AGglxJb1ivhlAutVg/s1600-h/Tuscany+and+Pisa3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38XT-yzFPOOo3Ud-_7qog0uwKQV9OQW8ARMefgjlmOAQ_yjmdqqonU3M11EjCfGKzGpUzlr1Op_Bo_8BacxmMjodzd7CqRSeMO7kM3wG-7e6s6XPmF8Rv8AGglxJb1ivhlAutVg/s200/Tuscany+and+Pisa3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213005161536016770" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkS7ERRjCl_aM-owLaph9oc0DgbClDflJQFtochFh3TRBLK_Jg9BzPPAVsM7q5pYdrRhsF56vSV2SBsf_1tiBeLYcL6_EOGk3T4Oqt8ewWX8oEbFi1Je7Rkd4o98qswyMzFg6yg/s1600-h/Tuscany+%26+Pisa3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkS7ERRjCl_aM-owLaph9oc0DgbClDflJQFtochFh3TRBLK_Jg9BzPPAVsM7q5pYdrRhsF56vSV2SBsf_1tiBeLYcL6_EOGk3T4Oqt8ewWX8oEbFi1Je7Rkd4o98qswyMzFg6yg/s200/Tuscany+%26+Pisa3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980242367584914" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />The tower of Pisa was still leaning when we got there. Not booked in advance we weren't some of the lucky ones entitled to climb it. The whole experience reminded me of our trip to Paris and laying eyes on the Mona Lisa. So famous and well-known and when you see them in the flesh you just have to stand there until you feel you've properly seen it. In our case that took around 10mins, plus a walk around the base. It is hard to believe how old it is and that Galileo once travelled to Pisa to drop things off the top of the tower to test his theory of gravity. The experience only slightly tarnished by getting lost trying to find a car park and the 5 hawkers in a line near the tower all selling the same battery powered GI Jo crawling along the ground. Who buys those things?<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQUUxzzLP-usXaa5HTXsZTKOMMDvG-XlwmL2lN425cCpmnC6_mG7g557htewOk4G5vonpohK2VP1-ca6xClAp8jFYoMp3a1RPCb3VIbPOFo4uEC4EM8s3FM7NH9jg2AfHNVTjPg/s1600-h/Tuscany+%26+Pisa5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQUUxzzLP-usXaa5HTXsZTKOMMDvG-XlwmL2lN425cCpmnC6_mG7g557htewOk4G5vonpohK2VP1-ca6xClAp8jFYoMp3a1RPCb3VIbPOFo4uEC4EM8s3FM7NH9jg2AfHNVTjPg/s200/Tuscany+%26+Pisa5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980261578431106" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRg5M9acNcJjGDyA1LgrmThB99HYge5yrZMB0EHSzM-Vok6856WDrYJM90CurOSHfUoQFjxqT0Sfd4gR6Uu27Mc8yZiSMcsTTTCYBWAbWuncScIRbRghQvisH4yLMBtfC5kN46g/s1600-h/Tuscany+and+Pisa+final1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRg5M9acNcJjGDyA1LgrmThB99HYge5yrZMB0EHSzM-Vok6856WDrYJM90CurOSHfUoQFjxqT0Sfd4gR6Uu27Mc8yZiSMcsTTTCYBWAbWuncScIRbRghQvisH4yLMBtfC5kN46g/s200/Tuscany+and+Pisa+final1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980931911937282" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cinque Terre</span><br /><br />With time to spare we decided we could make it to Cinque Terre so we took the toll road. We whizzed up from Pisa to La Spezia in an hour. Having made good time on the A1, we spent a frustrating two hours trying to find a safe parking building, so we could catch the train into Cinque Terre knowing we would have a car to return to. We finally found the Kennedy car parking building and only took the bare minimum with us for the night. <br /><br />The Cinque Terre is made up of five villages clinging to the coast linked by a walkway and train which travels between them every 15 mins or so. We decided to head straight into the largest village Monterosso and asked about accommodation at the train station. The lemon festival was on so accommodation options were slim but we ended up with a room in the town - next time we'll definitely book ahead. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEwwUIWon8m_JHoApTMJj5dI_joUedWdrdSmtEKjKoibKYR2ECI8TMsxG8Es7yZEIhATB-cH3k0FNjSldRfkYtL7K_6ZbDmS0ePNOkTbwZB33pFcDAtErDzLTjQ-DBblQcAO59w/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEwwUIWon8m_JHoApTMJj5dI_joUedWdrdSmtEKjKoibKYR2ECI8TMsxG8Es7yZEIhATB-cH3k0FNjSldRfkYtL7K_6ZbDmS0ePNOkTbwZB33pFcDAtErDzLTjQ-DBblQcAO59w/s200/Cinque+Terre2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980938912227282" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEuScbkbkkRDuJOTWR-OUCNNcqPtNyZpWTxEtube-2KoQTy2JPrFzyrXHQ5TIMGkiS6fl9ozQeh7HlCDBzov9R7WZx_NLcl9lZgNtGTMghzqH_yTG5HUkVEvo_9pTn9O0xmvvzQ/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEuScbkbkkRDuJOTWR-OUCNNcqPtNyZpWTxEtube-2KoQTy2JPrFzyrXHQ5TIMGkiS6fl9ozQeh7HlCDBzov9R7WZx_NLcl9lZgNtGTMghzqH_yTG5HUkVEvo_9pTn9O0xmvvzQ/s200/Cinque+Terre3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980942847988706" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />Monterosso is a beautiful seaside town, with a great family atmosphere and one of the most popular of the five villages. Lots of children were selling lemonade and men were playing petanque down by the beach. After walking around the town we decided to walk over to the next village Vernazza for dinner. The Cinque Terre is a National Park so we paid 5 euro for a ticket to walk the two hour track which leads up into the small vineyards and market gardens owned by the locals. They recommend sturdy tramping shoes and we passed many red-faced tourists along the steep track. We walked it in jandels because we didn't bring any other footware with us - not ideal but certainly managed it. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAhYykPwuY0-9qjFeZx9tgZFLCOCF4ToZfjSkhfhlZM0baQ_zNGFpuwZ8Mr2xY9mBwoWouItx0dfyvmuYdGxkEXyPMXCCC75C33J25du_RKeVfhzjxnDoGrGr6BGTvqiaGeRgHA/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAhYykPwuY0-9qjFeZx9tgZFLCOCF4ToZfjSkhfhlZM0baQ_zNGFpuwZ8Mr2xY9mBwoWouItx0dfyvmuYdGxkEXyPMXCCC75C33J25du_RKeVfhzjxnDoGrGr6BGTvqiaGeRgHA/s200/Cinque+Terre1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980936086116962" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZDYeZohPMgZu0wOqkmcI2vW59c034CAsVYQy1tFNXLZ4soR5bBMaOHp6aoJWwVKJfasrbAfBkcrOOLs1Tq-QMVoRo1kucFMMmAfJVvlQ0HlTSr-JrG8sBe-2wjoNL62dqeZ0w/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZDYeZohPMgZu0wOqkmcI2vW59c034CAsVYQy1tFNXLZ4soR5bBMaOHp6aoJWwVKJfasrbAfBkcrOOLs1Tq-QMVoRo1kucFMMmAfJVvlQ0HlTSr-JrG8sBe-2wjoNL62dqeZ0w/s200/Cinque+Terre4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212980949530850818" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />The views from the top of the hills before we descended into Vernazza were breathtaking and the hassles with the car in La Spezia were totally forgotten as we sampled homemade limoncello from local growers on the track.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKo4Vr8J33MgPd9GT5xXNsGih2vYF95Rnl7JBtiIohWbKJjjH0xlQAkHI_lBb9Y3bs_HeWHeV9mDtt8k4aZn1ligX4igoopvSP-2mWVK7IZNDPk7rlEiqvfTnTwQwv-0Kj-ccRQ/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKo4Vr8J33MgPd9GT5xXNsGih2vYF95Rnl7JBtiIohWbKJjjH0xlQAkHI_lBb9Y3bs_HeWHeV9mDtt8k4aZn1ligX4igoopvSP-2mWVK7IZNDPk7rlEiqvfTnTwQwv-0Kj-ccRQ/s200/Cinque+Terre5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212981429952950450" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1tircV9q6QVO5Bvv6jeeSqP-sHmZUztYEFjgNkAt3k3jzgSukPWiPwYGhqbIbBsz53THZDQ1bzOjDhHFJDzLoqX4BRzmu7etQkxF5Uh5Jj2bGhoaITDPX4pFWmZCS4bnCWNY3g/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1tircV9q6QVO5Bvv6jeeSqP-sHmZUztYEFjgNkAt3k3jzgSukPWiPwYGhqbIbBsz53THZDQ1bzOjDhHFJDzLoqX4BRzmu7etQkxF5Uh5Jj2bGhoaITDPX4pFWmZCS4bnCWNY3g/s200/Cinque+Terre6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212981441199660962" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />One day I want to return to Vernazza, the most beautiful spot for dinner you could possibly imagine. The walk down into the village is truely spectacular and the dinner of fresh seafood - yum, the whole experience felt so italiano. We'll probably be old and wrinkled and will be taking the train rather than walking but I look forward to returning already and having time to explore the other villages as well. <br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CokKs6jjFzqz5SeFsg1vv2Rsw4oME8e0XUErw0TsB-aIBbvZ6K5gHpFQ6N7Jjc2eCDB4e5pe-w6NpjMabPaqb4cfgeopktZ4a0JEzWhv4weePLG6bgwnjGNcjuqWxKpU0gNRBA/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CokKs6jjFzqz5SeFsg1vv2Rsw4oME8e0XUErw0TsB-aIBbvZ6K5gHpFQ6N7Jjc2eCDB4e5pe-w6NpjMabPaqb4cfgeopktZ4a0JEzWhv4weePLG6bgwnjGNcjuqWxKpU0gNRBA/s200/Cinque+Terre8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212981452405967362" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LXtXpUVvtAAgL9UyMFEgLJCpfNiq9JUarNKwNIvTJ2-3MB0nD41WoerY4hKMxx9NqG1s285Trgjinjpyp_1dkGLWzGmNhnQ436PeLLoT9WmKt_KJmFbbK1kxR06esJjv0QGLZw/s1600-h/Cinque+Terre10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LXtXpUVvtAAgL9UyMFEgLJCpfNiq9JUarNKwNIvTJ2-3MB0nD41WoerY4hKMxx9NqG1s285Trgjinjpyp_1dkGLWzGmNhnQ436PeLLoT9WmKt_KJmFbbK1kxR06esJjv0QGLZw/s200/Cinque+Terre10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982301284940498" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Venice (Venezia)</span><br /><br />We'd been lucky with accommodation on our trip and Venice was no exception. Its hard to get accommodation close to the Grand Canal. At the famous Harry's Bar on the canal you can pay over $100 euro for a starter, so nothing's cheap in Venezia. We were lucky to hear about <a href="http://www.venere.com/hotel/index.php?htid=220604&lg=en">La Rosa Dei Venti</a> 15mins walk along from the start of the canal and St Marco Piazza looking out at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_della_Salute">San Salute</a>. The boat stop two minutes from the B&B was on the main route to the airport so we were well set up to just enjoy the sites right up until our departure in the afternoon the next day.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnMrCdEH276D9Zv7i8nBWv6zi-ZxmrhUvQSaUgTwN4pv-CA-aL_hXS6rr8dN-u1rwoXhBGvlu-rS8xS7a5GhC8ZVKdpBt9Z2pobDo6fRpEC7Mza4vt8MCFsuZLYueg1cnuqO0zQ/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnMrCdEH276D9Zv7i8nBWv6zi-ZxmrhUvQSaUgTwN4pv-CA-aL_hXS6rr8dN-u1rwoXhBGvlu-rS8xS7a5GhC8ZVKdpBt9Z2pobDo6fRpEC7Mza4vt8MCFsuZLYueg1cnuqO0zQ/s200/Venice+%26+ring1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982311483443666" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa_rPGyKb_ZaKGxHZBYDdPF82YeZ3mJ4ESC2aQRlVzZdIg1hgKu9FRoPAEaTkPmgwHwanbE3vB5taVfDKywWAXL5mbWxWhrPEnqT28Lox9j9zkGnHUDxORXVW7nKLFB35vqAkHA/s1600-h/Venice+St+Marks1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa_rPGyKb_ZaKGxHZBYDdPF82YeZ3mJ4ESC2aQRlVzZdIg1hgKu9FRoPAEaTkPmgwHwanbE3vB5taVfDKywWAXL5mbWxWhrPEnqT28Lox9j9zkGnHUDxORXVW7nKLFB35vqAkHA/s200/Venice+St+Marks1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213000911158090066" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />We wondered into the St Marco Piazza initially and then around the alley's and canals that connect the city by gondola and boat. Wished we had time to find a museum that explained exactly how the city is staying afloat and their plans to save it sinking into the mudflats on which it was built.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDgfp268tycTTOsyi9Os2I5OP_Uf0kiOHUn_Gh7uW0a07gpoDn2B90GEjqgyUwCvzZKIlvygpqUm11tIDcIo0LITxn1pmnZh6Hocw2yFg-BnS5NAxXcGLXUlOb3b2VdgxtjM2pg/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDgfp268tycTTOsyi9Os2I5OP_Uf0kiOHUn_Gh7uW0a07gpoDn2B90GEjqgyUwCvzZKIlvygpqUm11tIDcIo0LITxn1pmnZh6Hocw2yFg-BnS5NAxXcGLXUlOb3b2VdgxtjM2pg/s200/Venice+%26+ring2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982319678470226" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwHt7SKet3HGq8_L4PNyH9ZgZRamPHMH1iidYpOE-0hBv_kQwrwDrn3A4HKad6gEkQpOSuj84KtmWDZlJ_sEisYYhCnO06hGJ2kFNdR-MiGs0W0ga6X387xhCRM_6Hdeae6jE6g/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwHt7SKet3HGq8_L4PNyH9ZgZRamPHMH1iidYpOE-0hBv_kQwrwDrn3A4HKad6gEkQpOSuj84KtmWDZlJ_sEisYYhCnO06hGJ2kFNdR-MiGs0W0ga6X387xhCRM_6Hdeae6jE6g/s200/Venice+%26+ring7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982848541412162" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />We visited Gallerie dell'Accademia and although it was enjoyable we were disappointed that Leonardo's Vitruvian Man stored at the museum is not available to be viewed.<br /><br />The heart of the city is down the Grand Canal off the famous Rialto Bridge, so we cruised up the canal on boat No. 1 and got off to walk across the bridge into the markets and shops. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-4xyZHkDsk4-Rav-DX4b0S2XLa_KGbcdJMN6jgjKc3QMsnGLZYHQl3x3B3s-RjqK0LtpFOS8SR8M3-O1LgIP3F-4JYJrDcPz1iqVXFLrTLKxh55C18MuMxPK4y6A0cz3-K5oPQ/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-4xyZHkDsk4-Rav-DX4b0S2XLa_KGbcdJMN6jgjKc3QMsnGLZYHQl3x3B3s-RjqK0LtpFOS8SR8M3-O1LgIP3F-4JYJrDcPz1iqVXFLrTLKxh55C18MuMxPK4y6A0cz3-K5oPQ/s200/Venice+%26+ring6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982837702661250" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0AUBZEYFnQM62DO_v-6o4MfY2YzRHub0k8B8zTcWzgVa2R9cb-at5lrYEtlNV2elf9QTP0NpvNOPUtJi7NSUW2TYdzcUlin9-b_us6aHpJUpdFnBxVGP8zPhBkENvXmk7FCP8Q/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0AUBZEYFnQM62DO_v-6o4MfY2YzRHub0k8B8zTcWzgVa2R9cb-at5lrYEtlNV2elf9QTP0NpvNOPUtJi7NSUW2TYdzcUlin9-b_us6aHpJUpdFnBxVGP8zPhBkENvXmk7FCP8Q/s200/Venice+%26+ring5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982848221600818" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><br />On our last night in Italy we decided to enjoy a nice meal and some tirimisu at the Ristorante Do Leoni in Hotel Londra Palace with a table looking out over the canal. Our visit to Venezia completed by wandering into St Marco Square on our last day to find a small jewellery store called Boldrin Gioielli with the perfect ring - the best momento and a magical end to 8 days in Italy.<br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVbTRKO5AJ8fnvFf8KQvm3-CO4fPc_IyGcOjKm2w9IxDeH8kW1LbyaZ7jpPoaSa_06MqHKnhVfw752LgQXQXoME8RvUqdSt1QaGEQiwjmx_CGjibq7cq6x0XFbR4msjx8uJJoog/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVbTRKO5AJ8fnvFf8KQvm3-CO4fPc_IyGcOjKm2w9IxDeH8kW1LbyaZ7jpPoaSa_06MqHKnhVfw752LgQXQXoME8RvUqdSt1QaGEQiwjmx_CGjibq7cq6x0XFbR4msjx8uJJoog/s200/Venice+%26+ring3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982322888628210" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHv5BOcMFGatQInzY8fe7ebxc3LkpnD6mLcmT0ltn0lNKnknUvMFvbufzSmJoC0M-wj32SCn-HAcE-RVgROiEPwLL66wq6cqXfrbdLU4ee1RVqVynfQy3fUkVnfR1ScqU4GaUpTQ/s1600-h/Venice+%26+ring8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHv5BOcMFGatQInzY8fe7ebxc3LkpnD6mLcmT0ltn0lNKnknUvMFvbufzSmJoC0M-wj32SCn-HAcE-RVgROiEPwLL66wq6cqXfrbdLU4ee1RVqVynfQy3fUkVnfR1ScqU4GaUpTQ/s200/Venice+%26+ring8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212982854345611218" /></a><br /></td></tr></table>Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-41808484104452835202008-05-22T16:33:00.018+12:002008-06-19T10:02:40.099+12:00hola!Lydia, Glynn's sister, works as a translator in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona">Barcelona</a> - which is where she met Eduard (Edu), a spaniard who asked her to marry him. Hence, Glynn and I travelled to Europe for a few weeks to attend their wedding in Spain, with some sightseeing included.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2pNj4t4BML_TveLMfg0EHr0cgyeOXxTLQC3zO1QowS9doKsWv55MOy6RO5rMPcHj3G9Fyx-twfOfMXJ6u92S3ZZF6pp-Bjd2uwVxKB9yA9nlLtvp8rMiiIHNDmuQP6LAqCHMhw/s1600-h/IMG_0075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2pNj4t4BML_TveLMfg0EHr0cgyeOXxTLQC3zO1QowS9doKsWv55MOy6RO5rMPcHj3G9Fyx-twfOfMXJ6u92S3ZZF6pp-Bjd2uwVxKB9yA9nlLtvp8rMiiIHNDmuQP6LAqCHMhw/s200/IMG_0075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212347924850149874" /></a><br />It was lovely to meet the Parker-Hills (the Irish Aussies) for the first time when we arrived in Barcelona, and we caught a tour bus together around the city. Glynn's parents, Lydia and Edu joined us the next day and we all enjoyed a meal together at a Spanish version of the chipper - amazing selection of seafood cooked to your liking. The gothic architecture of Gaudi dominates the city, especially the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Família">Sagrada Familia</a>, which we stopped to admire one morning eating the traditional jamon (pronounced hamon) and cheese pastry for breakfast. Its already extraordinary even though its not complete, due to be finished sometime in 2026. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb4eWmPop0rSWszKT5-7nlcuFI2_31CGjxNLN7GsQZpRz2FHVKKNNsVyWHzXx90oWZkLtGZqPcVMNiEVON9ksxnPosXUrjRRiM2Hotow4x8qKqtfvtXIvvPPYoU3z2OhHOQjV0Q/s1600-h/IMG_0068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb4eWmPop0rSWszKT5-7nlcuFI2_31CGjxNLN7GsQZpRz2FHVKKNNsVyWHzXx90oWZkLtGZqPcVMNiEVON9ksxnPosXUrjRRiM2Hotow4x8qKqtfvtXIvvPPYoU3z2OhHOQjV0Q/s200/IMG_0068.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205198281194107490" /></a><br />Over the two days we explored the city and kept heading back to Los Ramblos to enjoy getting lost in the atmosphere of the narrow maze of alleyways with shops and cobblestoned piazza's. A highlight was La Boqueria Mercat - a vast food market with stalls of fruit, sausage, jamon, seafood, bread and chocolates. The next day Glynn and I bought some goodies from the Mercat and wandered up to the Gaudi Park overlooking the city for a picnic lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwQ_MmHFCfu0gOwbOSn9tlq_nVTNYZq2Vc6MMtnMF1R_ndCckCJAzr8Q46iDVJpQ8uYBjI7sXhtGhGc6QR9UBhxVsQ1DIihgHiD4hPz9oJjm8W6mvkYdJwAyLcfF90Hbp01C5rA/s1600-h/IMG_0080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwQ_MmHFCfu0gOwbOSn9tlq_nVTNYZq2Vc6MMtnMF1R_ndCckCJAzr8Q46iDVJpQ8uYBjI7sXhtGhGc6QR9UBhxVsQ1DIihgHiD4hPz9oJjm8W6mvkYdJwAyLcfF90Hbp01C5rA/s200/IMG_0080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212347907249214802" /></a><br /><br />Leading up to the wedding family and friends had gathered at the venue at <a href="http://lafiguerola.fghotels.com/esp/default.aspx">Hotel Figuerola</a>, near the small village of Vandellos in the hills about two hours south of Barcelona by train. The irish and spanish hoards had booked the hotel for the weekend of the wedding and it was a great arrangement to all be staying in the same place for a few days so we could enjoy catching up with everyone (including a short round of non-competitive pitch and putt).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihadeBv5lZDGZyqV6e-hlvnZkQy5r2j9eHsaC6tHhNXy3QZf1K-ZqAHwbzwjseoNxG_4HJkT7NeY2C4e1ClxS_LVMJZe43ApaaYd0rdyYRgylDqMOI1YVkC0RjHaa8qLxneBOm6g/s1600-h/La+Figuerola.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihadeBv5lZDGZyqV6e-hlvnZkQy5r2j9eHsaC6tHhNXy3QZf1K-ZqAHwbzwjseoNxG_4HJkT7NeY2C4e1ClxS_LVMJZe43ApaaYd0rdyYRgylDqMOI1YVkC0RjHaa8qLxneBOm6g/s200/La+Figuerola.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212631050970879266" /></a><br />Edu - Lydia's husband, loves Spain, he is very passionate about the culture, his family and a big fan of the food and wine - and I can now understand why. The day before the wedding we had a large meal with Edu's family and the immediate Foster clan about 45 minutes by car from Vandellos in a small spanish village made of white limestone in the middle of rice fields. The village was built by General Franco to house workers he brought over from from Italy to work in the rice fields. Main courses of paella followed a series of delicious starters including everything from octopus, eel, snails and squid. <br /><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr34GhW4ZD0Z2rnKPLHahprYkUDVBTzgNaJrdRFUeA5Spo1VES2zh9qg9QysvUIYfYlK9d7loZkVjO5ht9T7Ca_gLEcQ7QYynO7ZmhsWPNgBEWf7dc6KW3jJOtgC71iaADhdlQA/s1600-h/Ricefields+meal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr34GhW4ZD0Z2rnKPLHahprYkUDVBTzgNaJrdRFUeA5Spo1VES2zh9qg9QysvUIYfYlK9d7loZkVjO5ht9T7Ca_gLEcQ7QYynO7ZmhsWPNgBEWf7dc6KW3jJOtgC71iaADhdlQA/s200/Ricefields+meal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212633238213235602" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CHdfXkfD1F-jJzPXaPfy2aUCN6srx_PbDsUt7w8qk_-W7YyDl4bFTsFSs2Wd9BZ63JD-XfAQWbqKau7jVnwPdCXVvXcWzJ2x2PEhEQNynUEmXRdbDRuRdo2iayd8FPrCv6G_Qg/s1600-h/Ricefields+reunion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CHdfXkfD1F-jJzPXaPfy2aUCN6srx_PbDsUt7w8qk_-W7YyDl4bFTsFSs2Wd9BZ63JD-XfAQWbqKau7jVnwPdCXVvXcWzJ2x2PEhEQNynUEmXRdbDRuRdo2iayd8FPrCv6G_Qg/s200/Ricefields+reunion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212631432837167298" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />In Spain you eat your main meal in the middle of the day. Traditionally, all the shops close at around 1pm for lunch and a siesta in the afternoon reopening around 4 or 5pm. Dinner is a light meal eaten anytime from around 8.30pm till late. It took little effort for Glynn and I to adapt to this new eating and sleeping schedule, as with the jetlag we were sleeping and feeling hungry at strange times anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoyM6Jb5ADmAcoeTTP4i7ERX6oFJiCuwzm1uwqDwM1GILnu40ago2m6naHZ4VFCs-adz8b9cTkmMioeOA9rtECkuY6lStYTtUJ7cTS8K7vCMIpDrShi0Y2AMvyHXXtskaIBE79g/s1600-h/IMG_0186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoyM6Jb5ADmAcoeTTP4i7ERX6oFJiCuwzm1uwqDwM1GILnu40ago2m6naHZ4VFCs-adz8b9cTkmMioeOA9rtECkuY6lStYTtUJ7cTS8K7vCMIpDrShi0Y2AMvyHXXtskaIBE79g/s200/IMG_0186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212347917697694962" /></a><br />On the day of the wedding Lydia looked beautiful and Edu very handsome. Thanks to Duncan for some of these photos I've included and he's posted more great photos of the wedding <a href="http://home.gone-caving.org/Lydia_And_Edu/"> here</a>. The vows were taken in Spanish but the ceremony transcended language and everyone understood the distinctive parts of the service. The reception was a colourful, musical fiesta, with four kegs of guinness shipped in by the hotel for the irish contingent - and they drank it all! During the meal there was music and traditional calls for the bride and groom to kiss each other, and then the parents of the newlyweds, with lots of napkin waving in between. The food was amazing and the cake was brought out in a darkened room with sparklers and more music.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfgW0xGFNbtS4zypRIJK_a_yg8eve7nmjgjRwAj7-2U5jjrF1-jGnEd9ay9bOvh_4p2lUJ08-a4BJ8LQT-_RqKAA0SxJYd3nUj-EnAEaOv7xk2zhPYXHhMDCPdYPbYG3aRgxmiQ/s1600-h/wedding+gift.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfgW0xGFNbtS4zypRIJK_a_yg8eve7nmjgjRwAj7-2U5jjrF1-jGnEd9ay9bOvh_4p2lUJ08-a4BJ8LQT-_RqKAA0SxJYd3nUj-EnAEaOv7xk2zhPYXHhMDCPdYPbYG3aRgxmiQ/s200/wedding+gift.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212632174845370818" /></a><br />In Spain they give the gift of money and the challenge is to give it in the most original manner possible. For example, one time Lydia gave her friends euros screwed up inside walnuts they had broken in two, emptied and glued back together. For Edu and Lydia their friends gave them a puzzle which once they had completed was turned over to reveal a code which opened a locked box of money. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaK7H4SwzTvuFWqWVovcY-uhGK_QnGa9iN5f3MercyMUEx2Toq7n4_qH4vvId1KpiELKnZx0ZfQiPqtY00Y6XtVmPb7YKVAbQzthpkpJxksuf_TY6_118pPu-YSV3QCDL87RwFg/s1600-h/The+dolls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaK7H4SwzTvuFWqWVovcY-uhGK_QnGa9iN5f3MercyMUEx2Toq7n4_qH4vvId1KpiELKnZx0ZfQiPqtY00Y6XtVmPb7YKVAbQzthpkpJxksuf_TY6_118pPu-YSV3QCDL87RwFg/s200/The+dolls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212631242723339954" /></a><br />In another tradition Edu and Lydia danced around the room and then stopped in front of a couple to give a gift of two dolls holding hands. That couple turned out to be us and once the gift and kisses and hugs were exchanged in front of the entire room of people to applause we found out that the gift tradition is given to the couple most likely to be married next!!! A bit of fun to end a really enjoyable wedding and something very different to the kiwi variety - congratulations Lyd and Edu!Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-30173304050860550142008-05-02T16:19:00.003+12:002008-05-02T19:35:33.117+12:00Unlimited Potential Event: Tale of Four CitiesTrying to start up your own global web business isn't easy - trying to start it up from Wellington also has its challenges, but its inspiring to see young start up companies going global from the harbour city. There is a definite web startup culture in Wellington that differs from anywhere else I have been in the country. I often think it's comparable to the coffee culture that pervades the city. The good-hearted nature of the local coffee houses that means additions to the coffee community are often celebrated because it all helps to foster the culture. <br /><br />Attracting highly skilled staff and making sure we educate young people about the benefits of getting into IT are all part of ensuring the creativity that's going on the capital continues to grow. What do current highly skilled immigrants of the IT variety think of living and working in New Zealand? What keeps them here? How can we attract more young ruby developers over to New Zealand? How can we attract young kiwis back from overseas?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.up.org.nz/">Unlimited Potentia</a>l and the <a href="http://www.wellies.org.nz/">Wellies</a> (a group of 'expats' who have moved here from overseas and chosen to settle in Wellington) are hosting an event on Tuesday night next week - <a href="http://www.up.org.nz/a-tale-of-four-cities/">called the Tale of Four Cities</a>. Its a relaxed panel discussion over pizza and beer about why ICT professionals from overseas are settling in Wellington, what brings them here, what they enjoy about living in the city, and what makes them want to stay? <br /><br />Hosted by Colin Jackson the panelists include Adam Shand who was born in England but grew up moving back and forth between New Zealand and California. He spent three years in Alaska working for one of the largest ISPs in North America and while in Oregon he founded Personal Telco, a non-profit which worked with local communities to provide free wireless internet access to the public. Five years ago he chose to move back to Wellington undertaking a mixture of management and technical work, as current digital operations manager for Weta Digital.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.victoria.ac.nz/vms/staff_academic/AhnMark/AhnMark.aspx">Professor Mark J. Ahn, PhD</a>. is Professor and Chair, Science & Technology Entrepreneurship with a joint appointment from the faculties of Commerce & Administration and Science, at Victoria University of Wellington. The role of the Chair is to focus efforts for research to build understanding of scientific entrepreneurship in international and national settings, and the processes required to enable successful commercialization of science and technology-based innovations. Would love to hear Professor Ahn's views about settling in New Zealand from a personal perspective as well as his views about the capital.<br /><br />John Clegg <a href="http://www.projectx.co.nz/site/john">CEO of ProjectX</a> and co-founder of zoomin, was involved in the Google Summer of Code initiative, and has worked in on startups in London, Asia, India, and Australia. John is passionate about fostering local talent - in a ProjectX Press release he says - "We are totally committed to getting talented young people working in this city and we are dedicated to making this city a Mecca for technology graduates from all over New Zealand."<br /><br />When: Tuesday, 6 May 2008 - 5.30pm - 8.30pm<br />Where: Syn Bar, 4 Bond Street, Wellington<br /><br /><a href="http://www.up.org.nz/a-tale-of-four-cities/">You can RSVP here</a>. Come along and enjoy the pizza and beer, join in audience discussion and mix and mingle with "the wellies".Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-62431511909612694152008-03-11T21:13:00.004+13:002008-03-11T22:47:09.602+13:00nectarine and white chocolate muffinsWhile down south Glynn and I fed ravenous crew members with some recipes from home and a new spin on my favourite muffin recipe. We were lucky enough to get sponsorship from Webb's Orchard in Cromwell. During our stay they let us onto the orchard to pick as many nectarines as we could carry from older trees ladened with fruit too ripe by the time they would be boxed for sale. Consequently, they were perfect for eating and the crew had to contend with a constant supply of nectarines in the fruit bowl, nectarine cobbler for dessert, and the seemingly popular nectarine and white chocolate muffins. <br /><br />Glynn started a discussion on the pavlova western group on facebook asking crew members for feedback on the catering - sure hope they go easy on us. I'm just glad no one got sick and every had enough at meal times. It was such a pleasure feeding the hardworking, grateful bunch who expressed their thanks with hugs and an appetite for seconds. Missing them all already.<br /><br />In the meantime for the benefit of the crew and anyone else with an abundant supply of nectarines - here's the recipe for the muffins:<br /><br />1 egg<br />½ C milk<br />1 C yogurt – I use plain natural unsweetened yogurt<br />½ C melted butter<br />1 tsp vanilla<br /><br />3 tsp baking powder<br />1/3 C white sugar<br />2/3 C brown sugar<br />2 C flour<br />2 C white chocolate crushed <br />2 ripe nectarines<br /><br />(I just used small white chocolate buttons or you can bash up an entire bar of king sized white chocolate into good bite sized pieces. Its important to get as much chocolate into the muffins as possible.) <br /><br />Put the first five ingredients into a bowl and mix together, then add remaining ingredients and blend until just mixed. Fill muffin tin and bake on a high rack in the oven at 200 degrees celcius for 12-15 mins until the muffins spring back to the touch.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-61523128072587628442008-03-11T20:52:00.003+13:002008-03-11T21:12:30.773+13:00please hold callerI don't know whether it was the dry weather, the dust or just plain bad luck but after three weeks of highlights down south shooting a <a href="http://www.mifilms.co.nz">pavlova western</a> my laptop and phone decided to give up both at the same time. $1000 to fix the laptop which is so not worth doing, and Telecom are mystified about the state of my phone which refuses to turn on but flashes its little red charge light woefully.<br /><br />So finally, after much avoidance I'm going to join the mac family. Glynn is hopeful we can transfer my Adobe CS3 Flash license over to the mac, and we will be able run windows in parallel. Grateful for webmail and all my online applications which kept me from losing touch. <br /><br />I'm also using the opportunity to switch to vodafone to get a better phone and call plan and a SIM card. Just charging my new phone at the moment so apologies to anyone who has tried to get hold of me since last week - your calls and messages will be somewhere in the ether. The good news is I can keep my old cell phone number. Hurrah!Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-27518849638882485042008-02-24T01:02:00.003+13:002008-02-24T02:04:02.425+13:00making a western - yee-hah!What a great team Mike and Inge have assembled for this movie. Everyone is passionate about film-making and each their craft, be it sound, makeup, photography or our awesome Assistant Director Rebecca Rowe. Glynn and I on the other hand have lost our own appetite for food and catering. Our ability to judge amounts has become more sporadic as the numbers joining the crew fluctuate, tonight running out of potatoes being a good example. We get hugs from the crew though so we must be doing something right.<br /><br />Just spent the week in Tekapo which had some awesome locations for cowboys and was such a lovely wee town, reminding me of Wanaka when I was a little kid. Kind of untouched and still serviced by a small Four Square supermarket. Everyone knows everyone and most of the locals double-up roles in the town - like Stuie Inch who pulled up in a scooter one day to tell me he was the postman for the town and had a package delivery for us up at the Post Office, and then the next day appeared across the fence to return a saddle in his role as manager of the sale yards next door to our holiday home.<br /><br />We've settled in our Cromwell digs and are here to stay for the next 15 days. We now have an internet connection at the house which is just making a huge difference to the amount of work Glynn and I can get done in between catering... and to the amount of posts that can be put up on the <a href="http://www.mifilms.co.nz">mifilms</a> blog. Important as we now have a loyal band of followers pestering us for updates.<br /><br />There have been so many highlights and its only been a week - the team dynamic, the weather, the fact that Dad has come up and been such a great help, particularly for Glynn and I. The community spirit of Jenny and Peter Rayne who let us literally camp at their at their B & B in Tekapo during the day and work online using their wifi - and made the crew muffins!! The farmers who have been so generous with access to their land and to the stunt cowboys who came 4 days running with their horses and saddles. And tonight seeing a first rough cut of the film - amazing to see the hard work and attention to detail coming to life. Everyone is stoked.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-38341445383352267872008-02-23T23:37:00.002+13:002008-02-24T01:01:59.431+13:00webstock wrap upWhat an amazing few days at webstock. An incredible lineup of speakers. My notebook was full at the end with advice, ideas and loads of recommended reading.<br /><br />Favourite sessions for me:<br /><br />Tom Coates spoke about how web platforms create best value by being repositories of data, on which other things can be built. Platforms that facilitate connectivity between other third party applications - "must play nicely with others". <br /><br />Simon Willeson gave a tutorial on OpenID. A practical explanation and a walk through the authorisation process making the benefits of OpenID really clear and understandable. A webplatform can use OpenID in different ways - but I was particularly interested in its use to authenticate third party business applications attached to platforms. <br /><br />Jason Santa Maria talked about how design can not help but communicate messages to users, whether good or bad. He emphasised that having a strong story is key to a good design structure and providing "high value information" to users an important principle. "Design so web development is driven by the <span style="font-weight:bold;">message</span> not technology".<br /><br />There were several other talks that I also *loved* including the very frank fireside chat Rowan Simpson had with Sam Morgan. It must be weird when people you don't know just start referring to you by your first name, like you're part of the family. I really enjoyed hearing about the types of investments he's made post the sale of <a href="http://www.trademe.co.nz/">TradeMe </a>and the reasons why. <br /><br />Glad the sessions will be posted on the <a href="http://webstock.org.nz/past/">webstock site</a> so I can see the ones I missed.<br /><br />Thanks to the webstock team for giving me the opportunity to attend via the scholarship programme - I had a blast and learnt heaps of practical tips I can apply to my own project.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-79426999326127894442008-02-12T18:17:00.000+13:002008-02-12T18:34:54.629+13:00mike culver speaking in wellington next weekGutted I will miss a talk by mike culver <a href="http://up.org.nz/Web2-with-Amazon-and-Catalyst-IT/">next week at Creative HQ</a> while away down south <a href="http://www.mifilms.co.nz">feeding cowboys</a>. Catalyst IT and Unlimited Potential host on Tuesday from 6pm till 8pm. The spiel sounds great - <br /><br />"Amazon spent over a decade developing a world-class technology and content platform that powers Amazon web sites for millions of customers every day. Most people think "Amazon.com" when they hear the word; however developers and entrepreneurs are excited to learn that there is a separate technology arm of the company, known as Amazon Web Services or AWS. Using AWS, software developers can build applications leveraging the same robust, scalable, and reliable technology that powers retail business. AWS has now launched ten services with open API's for developers to build applications, with the result that almost 330,000 developers have registered on Amazon's developer site to create applications based on these services.<br /><br />Mike Culver joined the Developer Relations Group of Amazon Web Services in 2006. Mike brings with him fifteen years of technology leadership experience, including at companies such as Microsoft. In addition Mr. Culver has a strong background running an IT organization, with over a decade of experience in the U.S. Electrical Wholesale Distribution (fittings) industry. And as a Web Services Evangelist at Amazon, he helps developers take advantage of disruptive technologies that are going to change the way we think about computer applications, and the way that businesses compete."<br /><br />Interested to see his take on the next generation of web platforms and how they are re-orientating the interaction between consumers and third parties. Impressed with what I've heard about Amazon's storage services and would love to hear more about other the many other API's Amazon has released. Word has it that a videocast might be made so that chumps like me that can't make it, can still hear what he has to say. Sweet.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-62848397954101276592008-02-11T10:26:00.001+13:002008-02-11T11:28:26.188+13:00pavlova westernLast time my brother asked me to help him shoot a movie I was given $100 and asked to cater for the weekend on location at his flat. On the way to the shoot Mike called and asked me to bring my hair dryer and make up. On arrival I was instantly promoted to the position of hair and makeup artist and second assistant director. That was a long time ago and thankfully this time they have a slightly larger crew. Last year Glynn and I made a promise to my brother Mike and his fiancée Inge that we would cater their movie. Consequently we are off to Central Otago at the end of the week to film a western. You can follow the exploits of independent film-making at its best on the pavlova western blog that has just been set up - see <a href="http://www.mifilms.co.nz">www.mifilms.co.nz</a>. <br /><br />Glynn and I will also be working while down there, in between peeling potatoes and making muffins. While we both have an ability to work from anywhere - we will be putting that concept to the ultimate test by heading into rural New Zealand. Today Glynn and the production manager will be checking out whether Telecom New Zealand can deliver the goods and ultimately the bandwidth for Glynn to be able to communicate with his team in San Francisco, and so I can skype and liaise with Wellington. Fun and games.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-72148927640908917582008-02-06T10:24:00.000+13:002008-02-06T12:06:35.122+13:00foofunKiwifoo provides a huge opportunity to meet people doing amazing things in technology and other fields - and to share ideas and innovation, and thoughts about the future. All sorts of ideas can come about when you get smart people in a room from different disciplines, firing off each other and kiwifoo feels just like a giant thinktank. Those returning had a keen appreciation of how discussions at foo last year had an ongoing impact on the ICT sector. My observation was that it meant many sessions this year were well focussed on an outcome that meant further action post foo. <br /><br />Like others have said the conversations sometimes shared in the corridors and over Russell Brown's coffee machine are the gold nuggets of foo. Some highlights for me were a session with <a href="http://thefreenet.org">thefreenet</a> and others about establishing a free mesh wifi network in Wellington's CBD - <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/freitasm/4517">mauricio provides a good summary </a>of what's going on with the project. During a break I had a great discussion with Nic Steenhout from <a href="http://forum.mambo-foundation.org/showthread.php?p=53529">Mambo</a> about how a start up like me can go about ensuring usability and accessibility in the development of web platforms. Who knew all these amazing people are working away right here in New Zealand. Lots of fun playing werewolf till all hours and awesome food - Glynn and I took note as we're off soon to cater my brother's movie down south so we listened out for positive comments and there were lots of them.<br /><br /><a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/nat/">Nat</a> and Jenine organise a great event, and make everyone feel welcome. Thanks heaps for inviting me and for having <a href="http://blogs.gnome.org/gman/">Glynn</a> and I around for cockle hunting and kayaking on Monday - great foo related fun.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-31284483383714971842008-02-05T10:45:00.000+13:002008-02-06T12:37:51.692+13:00kiwifoo 08Back this afternoon from another awesome <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi_Foo_Camp">kiwifoo</a> experience in Warkworth, north of Auckland. Some discussions there about the use of the internet to provide better accessibility to legislation and policy issues before Parliament. As well as working on my web start up I am a part-time consultant training others about the Machinery of Government and Parliament, so I am supportive of initiatives that help demystify the evolution of policy and the law. <br /><br />Much work has already been done by those responsible for the administration of Parliament and the legislative process to <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/1/e/4/00NZPHomeNews160120081-New-Zealand-Legislation-website-makes-accessing.htm">ensure that legislation is available </a>in an up-to-date digital format for the public to view over the internet at <a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz">www.legislation.govt.nz</a>. However, the legislation is more meaningful set in context - what stage is it at? has it been amended? what did the select committee think about the bill? <br /><br />Parliament through its website <a href="http://www.parliament.nz">www.parliament.nz</a> is now aggregating information in a more meaningful way for members of the public, media, lobby groups and even the MPs themselves. For example, you can search on the Parliamentary site for <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/Bills/b/2/a/00DBHOH_BILL7735_1-Copyright-New-Technologies-and-Performers-Rights.htm"> the Copyright Bill </a>. If you click on that link you see a quick summary of the bill's progress to date, and if look to the right under the downloads panel you can access a copy of the latest version of the bill. It's called "Bill 102-2", which essentially means it was the 102nd bill of this Parliament and that it's the second (-2) version of the bill as amended by the select committee. From this page you can also access the <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Debates/Debates/5/3/0/48HansD_20061207_00001218-Copyright-New-Technologies-and-Performers.htm">First Reading debate</a> and see what the MPs said in the House when the Bill was first introduced. You can view the <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/SC/Reports/7/3/1/48DBSCH_SCR3848_1-Copyright-New-Technologies-and-Performers-Rights.htm">select committee's report on its consideration</a> recommending changes to the bill and setting out the reasons why. In a relatively recent development a <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/SC/Papers/Summaries/5/2/4/48SCCOSCSummaryfA1015_1-Copyright-New-Technologies-and-Performers.htm">select committee summary</a> links to a page where you can access all the submissions received and advice provided by officials to the select committee. One MP has already circulated proposed amendments for debate at Committee of the Whole House stage (the last opportunity for amendments before the bill is passed into law) - see <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/SOPs/c/a/f/48DBHOH_SOP1053_1-Copyright-New-Technologies-and-Performers-Rights.htm">SOP 154</a>. SOP stands for Supplementary Order Paper - effectively an advertisement of proposed amendments to bills in draft form. All parties can circulate amendments by way of SOP, including the Government. If accepted by a majority in Parliament they will be incorporated into the bill.<br /><br />Most people rely on others to interpret the processes and policy developments for them, rather than seek information from the original source. However, if you want it straight from the horse's mouth so to speak - try exploring the Parliamentary website and check out all the party websites. Ministerial press releases and speeches are aggregated at <a href="http://www.beehive.govt.nz">www.beehive.govt.nz</a> and you can even <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/Visiting/LiveBroadcast/">stream question time live to your desktop</a>. <br /><br />Some ability to decipher the legal language, the processes and political spin will still be required to help demystify what's going on in relation to certain policy issues, but the Parliamentary website is certainly a great leap forward in making the laws and Parliament more accessible to us all.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-25822173884628629812008-01-29T16:30:00.000+13:002008-01-29T17:53:27.761+13:00ezy peezy wine clubThis year for Christmas I signed <a href="http://blogs.gnome.org/gman">Glynn</a> up for the Ezy Peezy Wine Club for 12months. Essentially you make monthly credit card payments to <a href="http://www.regionalwines.co.nz">Regional Wines</a> here in Wellington and they send you a case of wine (mixed or red or white) every three months. It's all going to be a nice surprise on the doorstep every so often and I'm looking forward to seeing what they send each time. Regional Wines seemed to have the best offering of several wine clubs you can find on the web. I've also heard there are good online bargains to be had at <a href="http://www.blackmarket.co.nz/">blackmarket.co.nz</a>, so we'll try them out sometime too.<br /><br />Regional Wines at the Basin Reserve have a great selection of beers and wines and Glynn and I often head down there to try and find our latest favourite. I've added <a href="http://www.zoomin.co.nz/?search/index&type=PLACE&q=Regional%20Wines%2C%20Mt%20Victoria%2C%20Wellington&id=146%3A440%3A12c0%3A%3A">a map showing its location</a>. I had to join <a href="http://www.zoomin.co.nz/">zoomin</a> to do it - a great mapping service for locating local addresses and businesses. It wasn't hard to join up and despite a short hiccup requiring me to reset my password for some reason the user experience was all good. I frequently use zoomin to find local businesses and addresses so its nice to join up and I'll add some more places.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-59431084573212077732008-01-29T08:52:00.000+13:002008-01-29T09:51:14.077+13:00webstock 2008Absolutely stoked to be heading to <a href="http://webstock.org.nz/">webstock</a> beginning the week of 11th February here in Wellington. One of the highlights for me will be hearing <a href="http://webstock.org.nz/bios/sierra.php">Kathy Sierra</a> speak in person. I had been an avid reader of her <a href="http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/">blog</a> until a series of bizarre online threats stopped her from posting, and I have also seen impressive footage of her delivering presentations before. She really has a handle on how to create a user experience that will have people returning for more and I love her diagrams and pictures, many of which she has now included on her last blog post.<br /><br />Will be interesting to hear from a kiwi presenter now living overseas. <a href="http://webstock.org.nz/bios/craig.php">Craig Nevill-Manning</a> originally from Canterbury now works for Google in New York and created their product search service aka froogle. He's going to talk about how the large scale collection of data makes information more useful. Interesting, especially given all the controversy over the ownership of personal information on the web. There will also be a fireside chat with local hero Sam Morgan. Hope to hear about the difficulties he faced getting <a href="http://www.trademe.co.nz/">TradeMe</a> up and running in Wellington, the attitude of local business to his success and future developments for the site. <br /><br />I just cannot wait and want to thank organisers and sponsors for arranging a scholarship programme so that young early stage businesses like myself can come along and benefit from being exposed to the high calibre of speakers, and networking opportunities. I also get a t-shirt - woohoo!Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-8095007445115700702008-01-26T16:35:00.000+13:002008-01-26T20:39:25.810+13:00what gives a cafe its true mojo?Visited the mojo cafe located on the ground floor of the new Meridian Building on the waterfront this afternoon. I asked whether there was any access to wifi on site and the girl behind the counter didn't know what I was talking about but said she didn't think so. While we might pop down again one day with the laptops and see what available networks there are - it was a bit disappointing to hear its not likely. What a great place to sit and do some work and drink great coffee. In a few months time you'll be able to go there and have lunch at <a href="http://www.wagamama.com/food.php">wagamamas</a> too! While it's a great location and they do serve great coffee, having access to the internet would give the cafe true mojo in my opinion. <br /><br />I'm always surprised to walk into some cafes and not have access - I think those places are really missing out on an opportunity to use wifi as a marketing tool. Early this month it was announced that <a href="http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35500/122/">San Francisco is back on track</a> with its plan to provide free wireless for the entire city. While we are a sister city to San Francisco - it would be a big ask to follow in her footsteps on that scale right now. However, my immediate wish would be a *free* wireless network in Wellington amongst all the amazing cafes in the CBD. In the spirit of being an ICT hub, and some would argue "coffee culture capital of the world" - surely it would be in the interests of WCC and local businesses to get behind and sponsor that sort of project?Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-90681393570400474202008-01-26T13:02:00.000+13:002008-01-26T13:18:31.462+13:00homebrewing with gmanduring the week I spent of couple of hours helping <a href="http://blogs.gnome.org/gman">gman</a> bottle another of his brews. Czech Pilsner this time with a very successful drinkable Indian Pale Ale already under his belt, a watery and kind of tasteless lager and a gooey meaty stout. He wont appreciate my uneducated descriptions of his attempts so far but the IPA held such promise, its definitely worth encouraging and consequently participating in the brewing process. I now know that Nelson grown hops are the only way to go and sterilisation of the equipment is one of the most important things. While I haven't graduated to capping the bottles yet - foster says its important to be able to assess the right amount of pressure to apply - whatever ;) - I have been allowed to add the sugar and fill them. It's a load of fun - just need to figure out a name and make some labels!Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-57395088639819185932008-01-26T11:44:00.000+13:002008-01-26T12:38:09.777+13:00Unlimited Potential's Bloggers EventEvery year in January <a href="http://www.up.org.nz//">Unlimited Potential</a> host a competition among bloggers to see who can come up with the best predictions for 2008. The winner as voted by the audience on the night will be crowned UP Visionary of the Year for 2008, and receive an official certificate, a beautiful tiara, and full bragging rights. <br /><br />The bloggers this year are:<br /><br /> * David Farrar, <a href="http://kiwiblog.co.nz/">Kiwiblog</a> <br /> * Mauricio Freitas, <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/">Geekzone</a> <br /> * Hamish MacEwan, <a href="http://protopage.com/hamish.macewan">local visionary</a><br /> * Philip Fierlinger, <a href="http://turntablemedia.com/blog/">turntable technologist</a><br /> * Tom Beard, <a href="http://wellurban.blogspot.com/">Wellurbanite</a> <br /><br />Each blogger will make 3 to 5 predictions in the following categories:<br /><br /> * Gadgets & Games<br /> * The Internet<br /> * Business & Telecommunications<br /> * Technology<br /> * Wellington & NZ. <br /><br />When: This Wednesday 30 January, 2008, 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start.<br />Where: Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Level 28, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street, Wellington.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.up.org.nz/predictions-2008/">RSVP and reserve your spot </a>at this prestigious and FREE annual event and come along and enjoy the pizza and beer!Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-34446617400522096932008-01-22T13:06:00.000+13:002008-01-22T14:08:57.399+13:00counting down to kiwifooGlynn and I have booked our tickets and looking forward to our trip up to Walkworth for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi_Foo_Camp">Kiwifoo</a> aka BaaCamp on 1 February. Last year I had no idea what an "unconference" or "barcamp" was all about. Essentially, invitees get to set the agenda when they arrive by filling empty timeslots across the venue with topics they would like to share and discuss. You attend topics you are interested in and everyone gets the chance to participate. <br /><br />Last year was the first Kiwifoo ever held in the southern hemisphere and the buzz was amazing. A bunch of people all with an interest in the global development of technology, particularly web-based technology, discussing how New Zealand was part of that phenomenon. My favourite session last year was one with David Cunliffe where leaders in the technology industry got to talk frankly about the *real* issues for New Zealand and the ICT industry. I also enjoyed meeting Rachel Cunliffe (no relation) from <a href="http://www.throng.co.nz/">Throng</a> fame, and other women doing amazing things in the technology field. It allowed me to better define what it was I was trying to achieve myself, and was surrounded by a bunch of people who just "got it", which was really encouraging and inspiring. I can't wait to spend time with fellow foo-goers again in a couple of weeks time.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-73881685917522713732008-01-17T19:53:00.000+13:002008-01-18T10:09:19.519+13:00no luck with the fishingAfter obtaining a freshwater license while on holiday down south, we fished the Clutha, the Dunstan, the Taieri and Conroy's Dam in Alexandra - but unfortunately we caught no fish. We bought a spinning rod though to add to our never-ending collection of fishing equipment. Unfortunately the boat at Ball Creek had blown a valve and so Glynn's dreams of a bluecod a minute with Robyn out at the local reef were also blown. A highlight was surfcasting with a balloon off the rocks just down from the crib. We waited for an off-shore breeze and then tied a balloon to a running rig at the top of our trace and hoped it would blow out the line to a good spot. It seemed to attract the attention of two large seals, however, but didn't prove as attractive to the fish. Despite the balloon blowing our line a good distance off-shore we had no nibbles and the constant problem of kissing our gear good-bye because of seaweed and kelp on reeling in. Anyway, we never gave up and are hopeful a trip up to Castlepoint reef this weekend might break the drought.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-70771618487111867792008-01-17T19:39:00.000+13:002008-01-18T12:53:45.540+13:00summertimeOn the way to Kaka Point from Alexandra during our holidays we stopped in at the Lonely Graves at Millers Flat made famous by Billy Connelly on his tour of New Zealand. To get to the graves you cross the Clutha River at Millers Flat and follow the road on the other side of the river all the way to Beaumont. The graves are on the roadside well-marked about 20 mins on the gravel road. William Rigney a local developer in the 1890's found a man dead on the side of the road and with noone claiming the body held a service and buried him by the river and on the tombstone engraved the words "Here lies somebody's darling". When Rigney died he was buried next to him with the words "Here lies the man who buried somebody's darling". <br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbcEl8gTm_zrcONfOn8j5LL-UsYc3G-vl7VV7wmdzwLHhSu3PKBM1ZDSyY1vXcOHGlYCn4sPfvtNvR5dgmASsoCThEch7s8_5YKaHHMtD7S-3rpO0R8w3eAZL_yFFwWFjZrRYZg/s1600-h/IMG_2367.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbcEl8gTm_zrcONfOn8j5LL-UsYc3G-vl7VV7wmdzwLHhSu3PKBM1ZDSyY1vXcOHGlYCn4sPfvtNvR5dgmASsoCThEch7s8_5YKaHHMtD7S-3rpO0R8w3eAZL_yFFwWFjZrRYZg/s200/IMG_2367.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156584383611267058" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCCz5KxySYTRl9qg3dDlJvt6FbchxBcQNwqbh01-Ug_YUWdbxAaic5aCCNHBVhyaN8gLNkOva5N5lm7pmrxD8NwIPsC-5LEF4Vm3Qbk_-B2FeCVekptvJ9vgwobiBOgCl495mwA/s1600-h/IMG_2368.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCCz5KxySYTRl9qg3dDlJvt6FbchxBcQNwqbh01-Ug_YUWdbxAaic5aCCNHBVhyaN8gLNkOva5N5lm7pmrxD8NwIPsC-5LEF4Vm3Qbk_-B2FeCVekptvJ9vgwobiBOgCl495mwA/s200/IMG_2368.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156584387906234370" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />A quick trip down to Slope Point, the southern tip of the south island, a short 20mins walk from the car park down a slopey hill to a sign and seaviews.<br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB7SFM6XgJ3kYo3qn4_WpqKyKKpfB0XXI8zaCky88Qp3gMfGDdD9LlfRDcqXxaqrdSpHs3pftW2xDf3jVPC-d1YMAKNFb96NxP-XxaXwKQfy8YYG0isiBpvaWZEWvyukhk4Zqew/s1600-h/IMG_2390.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB7SFM6XgJ3kYo3qn4_WpqKyKKpfB0XXI8zaCky88Qp3gMfGDdD9LlfRDcqXxaqrdSpHs3pftW2xDf3jVPC-d1YMAKNFb96NxP-XxaXwKQfy8YYG0isiBpvaWZEWvyukhk4Zqew/s200/IMG_2390.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156584387906234386" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG1nnpYnCzABIJ0AlrUtwAianIXdlQhYeK_Y9utzXmydTcuCub6MporUwpdSF44eVtwglidVLKpHINTpszC42gUnwjRzTYjbAzBcZpiTWN356VtqQXdwjj0VTDl40L0VY5q47zg/s1600-h/IMG_2392.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG1nnpYnCzABIJ0AlrUtwAianIXdlQhYeK_Y9utzXmydTcuCub6MporUwpdSF44eVtwglidVLKpHINTpszC42gUnwjRzTYjbAzBcZpiTWN356VtqQXdwjj0VTDl40L0VY5q47zg/s200/IMG_2392.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156584387906234402" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />Fishing Conroy's Dam in Alexandra with Mike and Inge and the Taieri River on the way to central. Bacon butties riverside for lunch to console ourselves that we weren't eating fish.</span><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3QJ-eqHMXt70kglvplvCgI9HhfAG9vxQXfD0VOB7r3CUmQmXnitW-FD5kNUz1oWc4huBrsnY6_tMpj02ORgmd5GjAizL8MIXp1if6eIP8m17ca1nV1dpBKqSBfx8U3bCjCmiZg/s1600-h/IMG_2360.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3QJ-eqHMXt70kglvplvCgI9HhfAG9vxQXfD0VOB7r3CUmQmXnitW-FD5kNUz1oWc4huBrsnY6_tMpj02ORgmd5GjAizL8MIXp1if6eIP8m17ca1nV1dpBKqSBfx8U3bCjCmiZg/s200/IMG_2360.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156581755091281762" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdlO8PWLYeuWN791aWl77p45Lek7of7VwnBL5dyRd_wNZ6CpvkbXF_IUuSZNxC9kqK-lMiZt98uY-erisPaO_JsK1-CHbRssgGkCqF22x_PhSWmsJZnlcKqWo6q_rsz8H-kBDNA/s1600-h/IMG_2329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdlO8PWLYeuWN791aWl77p45Lek7of7VwnBL5dyRd_wNZ6CpvkbXF_IUuSZNxC9kqK-lMiZt98uY-erisPaO_JsK1-CHbRssgGkCqF22x_PhSWmsJZnlcKqWo6q_rsz8H-kBDNA/s200/IMG_2329.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156584379316299746" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />Sitting in the sun in Naseby having a beer and visiting the historic Vulcan Hotel at St Bathans.<br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hiyEWEYofYEa2k4B4-rvIhihzGwoOsNhpqXT3ywd98Ip4MuYDtAscGuc8118pwwSUXZgNeTS_R2N1zfv2LhLzrWkmhKSk8ZlI9ToE_cPMpV4y3RZ9s9QCjtvK9SmgZE_urF32w/s1600-h/IMG_2343.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hiyEWEYofYEa2k4B4-rvIhihzGwoOsNhpqXT3ywd98Ip4MuYDtAscGuc8118pwwSUXZgNeTS_R2N1zfv2LhLzrWkmhKSk8ZlI9ToE_cPMpV4y3RZ9s9QCjtvK9SmgZE_urF32w/s200/IMG_2343.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156581759386249074" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNowmmpG6kx1fJ0RWYHWTAS_SGRFCcWqE5b1HtaGcbNvlmhLHa9Sqp2z-huB6iWm8asWiHJWw-GIHPXj67QknmPjqzT88QKOUzV1R5TJwAnc78jbdyOdiGfIODorEfFG9gDkI0A/s1600-h/IMG_2353.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNowmmpG6kx1fJ0RWYHWTAS_SGRFCcWqE5b1HtaGcbNvlmhLHa9Sqp2z-huB6iWm8asWiHJWw-GIHPXj67QknmPjqzT88QKOUzV1R5TJwAnc78jbdyOdiGfIODorEfFG9gDkI0A/s200/IMG_2353.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156581759386249090" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />Playing curling at the International indoor curling rink at Naseby. Great fun but could have done with more time to claw back the small lead Glynn had by the end of our one hour session. Weird being in the cold and ice when its 30 degrees outside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLR-KlHfGyiD0YQA4H8noegrw0ctbpSgKtjARQ66kR4CKO7_FcOk0uXysQOvoeHJEf9BxK9w9NBg-BhhP7Wo-WhGe95u94XmBvisJ-uSVBdV2RG78M_x8EG6ySZ1wwprEEEIvBw/s1600-h/MVI_2333.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLR-KlHfGyiD0YQA4H8noegrw0ctbpSgKtjARQ66kR4CKO7_FcOk0uXysQOvoeHJEf9BxK9w9NBg-BhhP7Wo-WhGe95u94XmBvisJ-uSVBdV2RG78M_x8EG6ySZ1wwprEEEIvBw/s200/MVI_2333.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156592350775601202" /></a><br />Ball Creek and its famous landmark and the kids playing at the beach<br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkqda1uNCvxJWGLF9AY0-vdR311ygiBljTicXkCrPs5NboxZUB9DLa1RSl0SV7est0fFgrSgOzHuhXjygwwtzGTp77AwUSw-HLnlX7NNuNBze2gK5KPsQfAtMsrUNZE3fRlGc2w/s1600-h/IMG_2414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkqda1uNCvxJWGLF9AY0-vdR311ygiBljTicXkCrPs5NboxZUB9DLa1RSl0SV7est0fFgrSgOzHuhXjygwwtzGTp77AwUSw-HLnlX7NNuNBze2gK5KPsQfAtMsrUNZE3fRlGc2w/s200/IMG_2414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156579302664955698" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4DmniLz8uKsh9GNOMfgnM6XrP8gcz28WwATRq-CY6IOpTt27AhuFa90NUbejP4F4NGxD9NsTbyj4L-6xCjXSoi20rGmZwvMB2sHRWkajLx6y_imahxcugZuehPY6SKHYHxA6yQ/s1600-h/IMG_2417.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4DmniLz8uKsh9GNOMfgnM6XrP8gcz28WwATRq-CY6IOpTt27AhuFa90NUbejP4F4NGxD9NsTbyj4L-6xCjXSoi20rGmZwvMB2sHRWkajLx6y_imahxcugZuehPY6SKHYHxA6yQ/s200/IMG_2417.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156579302664955714" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br /><table align="center"><tr><td align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSsa072OmPKvCwT8zO-dFYBOuI6lhaW62pajE-Rj5Ihyphenhyphen9YCao-NgHm-iYnHEJV0TzboBKINBvh35-U12aEFhDN5KNlC-jk_fZauaI9x3TDfKIkNOErDEzA76wheoOXak_FmIxbA/s1600-h/IMG_2400.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSsa072OmPKvCwT8zO-dFYBOuI6lhaW62pajE-Rj5Ihyphenhyphen9YCao-NgHm-iYnHEJV0TzboBKINBvh35-U12aEFhDN5KNlC-jk_fZauaI9x3TDfKIkNOErDEzA76wheoOXak_FmIxbA/s200/IMG_2400.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156579298369988370" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSeJJ7KTPlrsFMEblcfC7FtF7AuLPhOcCNApRCber2V4LMqLe5Q8VAWRgvx1-sQc9UoAEjYpICpd1_b0diHk-L9xq1UaclHCLjQOEntzen2Bg2FrjLBVaK5eErOVaKaguwbjbqg/s1600-h/IMG_2402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSeJJ7KTPlrsFMEblcfC7FtF7AuLPhOcCNApRCber2V4LMqLe5Q8VAWRgvx1-sQc9UoAEjYpICpd1_b0diHk-L9xq1UaclHCLjQOEntzen2Bg2FrjLBVaK5eErOVaKaguwbjbqg/s200/IMG_2402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156579302664955682" /></a><br /></td></tr></table><br />Glynn's lager at the Ball Creek homebrew competition - winning third place - which is apparently a pretty good result for an outsider to the local community.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL26EcI0EHHnYyDn2d_P8ovXvcjWl_YiTlsjsmvIChByM-CitX9IjTLOnXg3McGp7Ccx1CKU6RkSDa0qzw-47aWiIjY2F7Fz8FrDQ1L2_LTwv801hyphenhyphenhnFNi2hq6oqMihNAYj3Lcw/s1600-h/IMG_2398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL26EcI0EHHnYyDn2d_P8ovXvcjWl_YiTlsjsmvIChByM-CitX9IjTLOnXg3McGp7Ccx1CKU6RkSDa0qzw-47aWiIjY2F7Fz8FrDQ1L2_LTwv801hyphenhyphenhnFNi2hq6oqMihNAYj3Lcw/s200/IMG_2398.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156579294075021058" /></a>Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29375928.post-56414306930963567722008-01-15T13:57:00.000+13:002008-01-15T18:02:33.615+13:00export year 2007Last year I was selected for the Wellington regional Exporter programme which was organised as part of <a ref="http://www.exportyear.co.nz/subpage.aspx?sectionID=14591">Export Year 2007</a>. <br /><br />As part of the Export programme, I attended several free events including the 10 week BizFuel Growth Series - organised by the chamber and the awesome Ruth McDavitt, coordinated by Business Porirua and sponsored by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Various training and case study seminars were held around the city, where I got to meet some inspiration kiwis in the business of exporting. It was really encouraging to meet and share with other companies already enjoying the fruits of their export success. I was surprised though to be the only web-based SAAS company attending with the majority of businesses product-based or selling manufactured goods over the web. <br /><br />An interesting theme emerged during the course - that Australia is a more difficult market for kiwis to break into than UK, Europe or the States, mostly because of the Aussie attitude towards kiwi-made. Hasn't stopped many New Zealand companies though from making it big overseas in some of the more distant markets, and in Aussie too. With the phenomenon of the internet as a ubiquitous marketing equaliser, and many kiwi producers now creating and using their web presence to sell and ship product, I imagine Aussie attitudes will continue to evolve and it will only get easier to sell products across the ditch. <br /><br />Thanks to those who selected me for the Export programme, the sponsors and to Business Porirua for organising a great lineup of speakers and tutors for the BizFuel Growth Series.Jayne Wallishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618987090054401209noreply@blogger.com0