Country Life

Chapter 6 - Country Life.

So im here in Christchurch (CHCH) and its my final destination. Well with regards living settling. Its been a long time that ive spoken about going to New Zealand. I remember as a 10 year old claiming im going to new Zealand to visit my ‘uncle’ nick.

I remember him coming back from long stay down here an telling me all about his mountain bike adventures. At the time aswell he was rockin a pony tail which I thought was badass!! So automatically I wanted to be ‘cool’ like nick.

But mountain biking through out school, either riding or racing, I knew I was going to be here at some point and that’s what has drawn me here. But having spent more time seeing the county I know its somewhere I see myself. Some qualifications were needed and I spent the 5 years just past gaining them. So after all those boxes got ticked….I was left to follow the dream an fly down here!

Its almost like all my favourite places have been combined into one country and only a week in the south island has made me realise that. There is everything at my disposal from bikes to boards its everything. Even a good job which I will be starting soon. The past few days has been reading up on NZ ways of construction and getting back into the lingo of when your on site, my own lil refresher course before the pay slips start rollin in!!

Ive had free rein of a bike while in Christchurch, its not a mountain bike but im not fussy. Its been nice to hack away at some tarmac an put some miles down on a road bike. Ive knocked out a few 15 an 20 mile rides around the Gerrard house hold, its very flat around here so my times that I know from doing the same distances back home are completely different. Doing 10 miles on flat takes 20 minutes but doing 10 miles on hills takes 30 to 40 minutes. And ive found myself not as tired?? NZ air more than likely!
A job was lined up for me before venturing out here but I didn’t throw all me eggs in one basket and sent out a few CV docs on a recruitment website so today 14^th of Feb I had 4 replies out of 5. Nice to know someone notices the skills eh!!

Got a few days now of emails and phone calls and sus out what’s the best job. The job at the architects still stands but if I get a better offer then I’ll have done some home work in other career paths. Quantity surveyors and structural management to name a few.
But all that’s pretty boring for you lot. Its been nice having some busy/quiet few days out here in the sticks. I can sort my work situation out peacefully. A nice bit of time to think.
I also got put in touch with friends of friends and I have an apartment…well its more of a deluxe shed.
Its near the city centre and its makes it an easy commute to work so im eager to get there now. Everything has slowed down over the last 2 weeks. Everything has been full speed and now its just back to regular pace I think. Back to the same old worries, money, work, food, flat, and now car….this job better pay up.

Now when I got here I found out that little Rhodri and Steve were set to go to Nitro Circus. I was very envious of them but a small stroke of luck happened later on an Steve couldn’t take Rhodri to Nitro Circus…..so me being the good Samaritan i offered to take him.
It was a crazy show and seeing one of my heroes, Travis Pastrana in the flesh was pretty rad. Cam McCaul was there representing the mountain bikers over the mega ramp which was awesome to see. And there was also the kid that was in his wheelchair. He was incredible and he went for the double back flip over the mega ramp gap but ended up buckling his wheel on the landing. Even so everyone in the stadium when mental. Awesome atmosphere and they delivered a wild show but I was a littler gutted I missed the after show party!
Went to the skate park aswell with Rhodri. Theres a local park in the town of Rangiora where im stay just out side of. Pretty tidy skate-plaza style park. Had a good hour skating for the first time in ages. Managed to knock out a few kick flips here an there so I was happy!!

that’s all ive got to report on so far everyone, im sure things will liven up once I get stuck into city life!!

PEACE

TD