The Whanganui River

Well another year has almost past and we have started some more adventures. This year we did the Whanganui river on kayaks with a guided tour company called Canoe Safaris (www.canoesafaris.co.nz) It was awesome. Here is a bit of a insight into our adventure.

We are off next week for our second adventure. The Hillary walk (four day tramp). Watch this space.

The Waikato River trail " How to lose a kilo in 3 days"

Wendy and I set out with the aide of a friend. They drove us to the starting point at Atiumuri on the Ongaroto Road about 100 metres off the highway. Wendy checked out the information board which told us that due to logging trucks the first 8km had to be done on the road and turn off at Tram road on the left. After getting back onto the track, which we had to go under a bridge and could have missed it if we crossed the bridge, we continued along the river.

 We past Whakamaru camp where I have taken school classes a number of times over the years.

This was stage 5 of the trail as we had decided to do it this way as on paper there appeared to be less inclines. Boy were we in for a surprise!

In the end I think it didn't matter which way you did it.

This stage is 25 kms and took us longer than the time allocated in the cycle trail book (Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails) but we were in no rush and stopped a number of times for photos, drink and food.

 We met a awesome couple at the Whakamaru reserve who have camped there for the last 15 years with family. They filled up our drink bottles with ice cold water and we were back on our way. We discovered that you need a permit to camp at some of the reserves like this one. You can acquire a season camping permit for $25 which allows you to camp on any of the reserves during the season. Something to think about for future trips.

The second part of the day was Stage 4 - Whakamaru Dam to Mangakino Lakefront Reserve. (13 km) This would be our resting place for the night. The track ends up meandering around the golf course. Just before you head into a grove which takes you to the Mangakino reserve there is a turn off that takes you right up to the lake/river where camping is but no toilets. we decided to camp there the night, although in hindsight maybe we should have pushed on 1 km to the reserve, which we ended up getting to the next morning for a coffee stop at the Bus stop cafe. Wendy says they make good coffee.

Day Two:  Part One

A good night sleep and back on the road at around 8am. Coffee and we were now starting Stage 3 Mangakino reserve to Waipapa. (20 km)

This is really where the fun started. Lots of steep inclines. It was hard work with 20kg of gear in my panniers and Wendy carrying about 10kg. There was times when we had to push the bikes up hill. We were rewarded with some downhill stretches. This is where the line I made up " I don't want anymore inclines only declines as I am declining."

At the beginning it meanders through some pine forest ending up at the Maraetai dam with some old relics of previous industry.

An old depositry used to load gravel onto the trains for transport

An obstacle that tried to stop us from carrying on. We managed to get around it.

Lunch near the Waipapa Dam

 Just before finishing this stage we came across the first other cyclist. She (Marilyn)  was riding along the road and asked me if she should take the trail to Mangakino reserve. She had more gear then we did and was riding and tour bike rather than a MTB. She concluded from my response that the road would be a safer alternative. It was great to share experiences and chat. She was from Canada doing a 3 months bike tour of NZ. We were able to give her some hints and ideas of things to do and see on her way. After a few more chit chats we went our separate ways. Ka kite ano Marilyn.

Once we stopped for lunch we realised that there was no place to set up camp and it was quite early. The area has a long drop but no water facilities and a sign telling you not to drink the water  due to gardia. We decided to push on but were aware that our water was low. I cycled back a km to ask some workers who were at the dam if they knew where we could get some water. They were not very helpful. So make sure you bring plenty of water. We had had two 1.5 litres bottles and 3 drinking bottles. This ended up not being enough as will be discovered in part tow of day 2.

Day two part two - Stage 2 - which finishes at Arapuni. 

Our goal was to get to Jim Barnett Reserve approximately 15 km from Arapuni. The whole stage is 34 kms. This was the worst part and the hardest and most gruelling. Not only were we running out of water but they decided to put 6 flights of stairs that we needed to get our bikes up. After which we did get some relief with a few down hill rides. Wendy was getting more confident on her bike during these times. Still we were far behind schedule. After a quick dip in the river and Wendy putting water over her head from the river, we set off for yet another unexpected climb. 37 switch backs that climb up to Waotu Road next to a quarry and in between there somewhere a very long high swing bridge. Afraid of heights?  Then don't look down. Beautiful scenery all along this part. 

We arrived at the top of Waotu Road at around 9pm. It was going to rain, no water to be seen and it was getting dark. We decided to pitch the tent on the side of the road instead of pushing on the few kms to Jim Barnett reserve. Lucky we did as it started to rain soon after we got the tent up and organised. A late dinner, bottles put out to collect some well needed water and off to bed.

We started by helping each other one bike at a time.

I carried Wendy's the last two flights as a rest was needed.

Time for a dip using water from the river next to a sign that says water supply. We took this to mean for other uses other than drinking because of previous warnings.

A brave girl who is afraid of heights. Don't look down.

Camping on the side of the road. It was actually darker than the picture shows.

Day 3 Part one - Get to Jim Barnett reserve and hope that there is water and toilets then push on to Arapuni and the Rhubarb Cafe. MMMM!

We probably needed to do another 20 kms to get to Arapuni. Jim Barnett Reserve is really nice. We arrived at the top end of it really early around 7.45am as we had started the morning at 6.50am. And we found water and toilets. Chatted with a grandmother who was taking her grandkids on a bit of an adventure. A gentle 1.5 kms through a native bush took us back onto the road for the remaining time to Jones Landing. We stopped here for breakfast and met a neat family, who shared similar interests as we do. They filled up our drink bottles as we would not say no this time and off we went back onto the road for the final push to Arapuni. As we turned off onto Darby road for the final few kms I realised that we had just hit 100kms on my cycle computer. Stopped for a photo. You can take the trail from Jones landing to Arapuni but it is only for expert Mountain bikers and you don't want to have panniers etc. We decided against it. If you do take the road option follow the road until you get to Darby Road. Don't miss it otherwise you will have trouble continuing on the trail.

We reached Arapuni at about 11.30. Early lunch to be had at the famous Rhubarb Cafe. A nice couple who run it Bryan and Louise Samuel. The food was awesome. I decided to liquify myself with a Chai Latte, a Blueberry smoothie, and to finish with a strawberry thickshake as well as some solid good homemade food.

Well needed water. 

The bike trail gates. Difficult to get the bike over with panniers. If you were on your own you may need to take them off.

Mat and Ness with their kids Chloe, Skyla and Jae. Thanks for the chat and the water. Keep up the ball skills Skyla and enjoy high school Chloe and Jae, keep being you.

100 KM

Rhubarb cafe and food.

So the last part starts near the Arapuni swingbridge. You don't actually go over it as the trail stays on the same side of the river. This was the last 13 kms of our trip. We had done this part before but thought we would do it all in one go.

Almost at the beginning of this leg I got a puncture and had to stop for about 20 minutes to replace the inner tube, which one should always carry at least two and remember to replace your stock as soon as you get home.

Our son picked us up at around 3.15pm from The Pokaiwhenua bridge car park and we can proudly say that we have done and dusted the Waikato river trail.



Over all summary

Beautiful scenery, tough in places and we had to walk our bikes in a number of places. Bring plenty of water and pack as light as you can. Do not underestimate the stage 2 part. It is advanced and be prepared for flights of steps whichever way you take it.

When we got home we were exhausted but very proud of ourselves. I asked Wendy what I should call this and she said "How to lose a kilo in 3 days." I finish with a  video of the trip.  Thanks to all the people who made this happen or the people we met along the way. We really felt part of nature and free.

A millenium of babies?

Found this blog post. An interesting read although they say not to excuse the french. You may want to do some self editing. I did that. But the points raised are very interesting. See it all the time and Governments are buying into it, so are schools.

https://theoxytocinchronicle.wordpress.com/2015/12/02/generation-cry-baby-why-millennials-are-a-fking-joke/

Modern Learning environemnts

Our school is going through a transformation. We are considering what our physical layout of classrooms will look like. How will teachers teach and students learn?

What is our pedagogy around this.

I stumbled across this document which makes for interesting reading when considering MLE

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/09/introverts-at-school-overlook/407467/

South Island Tour Day 4 4th January 2015

The majority of today was spent looking around Nelson knocking off things in Wendy's book.

The museum had some interesting exhibits especially the World War 1 exhibit, which reminded me of the history of how the war actually began. My daughter would be able to give me a good account of it too.

The majority of the museum was on how Nelson played its part in the formation of New Zealand as a country. The museum was not free. I think it was a $5 entry fee.











We had a look at the South Street houses, which have been lovingly restored and are still lived in or used for accommodation. Walked up to the cathedral and looked inside. We then went for a stroll along Tahunanui beach. At the time they were setting up for a national volleyball competition. We spoke to this man who seemed to be involved with it and new his stuff. He gave us the low down on how their local team always does well and that Waikato has some pretty good teams too.

Wendy had enough of having yucky feeling hair and washed it under one of the public showers used to get sand off you after a day at the beach.

We then headed up to Kaiteriteri beach. Along the way we stopped to feed some tame eels near Tasman

Kaiteriteri beach has an awesome sand colour and the water was great. We were warned that it could be pretty busy but even though it was the busy season we still managed to find a park on the waterfront and stay for about an hour and have a swim.

Earlier in the day I had txt some friends who were traveling the South Island as well and we knew they were somewhere near here. We found them in Motueka Motorcamp so we headed back there to have dinner and an evening with them before heading back to Wakefield and our camp site.

South Island Tour Day 3 3rd January 2015

It was up at 6am for this day to begin. We had a ferry to catch that was leaving at 8.30. We quietly sneaked out of and headed for the ferry terminal.

This picture was taken before we left. Their house overlooks some of Upper Hutt. Up in the hills . Beautiful.










The ferry crossing was excellent but full. For some reason we decided to stay seated in the same place instead of taking a tour of our ship. We shared some food purchased from the cafe, which was actually more reasonable then we had thought, read  and conversed. The trip was set for 3.15mins and was almost to the dot. It actually went really quickly.

Once we landed at Piction we walked along the waterfront for a while and then took the guided tour of the Edwin Fox. The Edwin Fox is the 6th oldest ship in existence today. This took me by surprise but ships like the Mary Rose or the Cutty Sark in England are two older ships but there are actually not that many left that have not been destroyed or lost. When you first see it you think, "It doesn't look much like a ship, but once you get up close and personal you get let your imagination dictate what it would have been like. The Edwin Fox is not set up as a restoration programme but rather a preservation. What I liked most about it was that you can get right inside it and walk on the actual planks, touch the beams and create. The movie in the museum part is worth watching while you wait for the tour. It describes how it came to be where it is today.

It finished its working career as a refrigeration storage for meat carcasses waiting to be shipped to England.

 It was used for many things during the course of its life. It was used to transport criminals to Australia. It was also used during the Crimean war to transport sick and wounded soldiers.
















Our next stop was Nelson. We discovered a free camping ground just South of Nelson in Wakefield called the Edward Baigent Reserve. We set up camp and took a short walk along the riverbank and had a good rest up. We decided to stay another night here so we could tour a bit of Nelson plus save some money on accommodation.

 This was our first night camping and I discovered very quickly that I was glad I packed the family tent as well as this one was way too small for my long legs. but we made do and it was used on other occasions

The south Island tour Day two 2nd January 2015

Our crossing on the ferry was for the next day at 8.30am so we had contacted Wendy's neice to see if we could stay at there place near Upper Hutt. This was all good. They said that their son would be there to look after us but that they were traveling up North. All we had to do was text when we would be close to arriving.

We started the day by saying farewell to our friends in Turangi and drove through The Desert Road. Beautiful sunshine and a clear view of mount Ruepahu. We didn't stop until we got to Taihepe and had a bite to eat at the Soul cafe. I had a raspberry and apple tart and an Iced chocolate while Wendy had herself a half strength trim latte. All rather pleasing to the palette. I recommend a stop there if it suits.

We then drove onto Foxton whereby the infamous book began to come into action. We stopped at the shop called the Dutch market. I say shop as I thought there was a dutch market on. The shop is full of dutch food and reminded me of the Christmas box we used to get from Holland when I was growing up. We scored ourselves some Pumpernickel and some cheese ready for lunch. Next we had a look around the Foxton Market that was on near the beach. Picked up myself some new sunglasses. We then headed for the beach forest near the camping ground where we had our lunch. Enter the book. Wendy read out the article about Foxton estuary and all the bird life that can sometimes be seen. So we took a walk around the estuary.

Foxton Estuary.

Once we reached Wellington we decided to take a 3 and half hour walk to Pencarrow lighthouse. These next few photos are part of this trip.

 The view from the top was quite spectacular and you could walk on further but we decided it may be time to turn around and text our next hosts that we would be arriving later than expected.

The goats were quite impressive. Big horns. The time we got back from this walk meant a quick bite a Macdonalds and then onto Wendy's neices in Upper Hutt. Got there about 10.15. A quick chat to their son and again another soft pull out couch to lay a weary bones after the long walk. Day two complete.

When you walk places you get to see a lot more and when you are not rushed you can talk a lot more in, so the two worked good together. Something I have to remind myself when I get back into the day to day life. Slow the pace down and enjoy the moment no matter what moment it is.

The 2015 South Island gettaway Tour Day one 1st January 2015

This trip came about because I wanted to take a trip whereby mostly nothing was booked. A road trip. A chance to make some opportunities and to take opportunities. Every situation is an opportunity to find the positive.

It did have some ground rules that we had to agree on. The first one, which was going to be a challenge, was to do it on a $50 a day budget excluding petrol and the return ferry crossing (The Cook Strait). It would not be impossible.

Wendy(my wife) had a hidden agenda though. She had her 1001 things to do in NZ book which actually became the crucial element in this trip and turned out to be very handy, even though it was not planned, it gave us unlikely opportunities for free attractions. So with her book in her hand and her shoes on her feet Wendy was ready to rediscover the South Island. I on the other hand did not make for myself too many expectations. I went into this excursion with an attitude that I was going to spend some quality time with Wendy and see some more of New Zealand and because we were doing it on a small budget I immediately excluded any of the tourist activities, which in my book is a good thing.

So what transpires is an account done after the event rather then real time. I have started writing this the day we returned back to Hamilton. It is my reflection of the trip, the experiences shared, the things we saw and the people we talked with. I have discovered just this morning after transferring the multitude of photos from three sd cards and two cameras that I accidentally deleted 4 days of photos from one of the cameras. Therefore some days do not have as much visual aides. Sorry Wendy.

In this diary there may be notes or reminders for myself or even personal feelings of opportunities that came and went. I do hope that it can be of some use to others, but most of all it gives me a chance to recount what we did.

Bags packed, car fueled. First stop Turangi to visit the work our friends have been doing on their batch and stay a night with them. Turangi is situated 50 km south from Taupo in the centre of the North Island. It was a great place to break up the trip to Wellington where we catch the ferry across to the South Island.

We arrived in Turangi at around 5.30 and the gang there were just shutting up shop with the work they were doing building a deck. We shared fish n chips from the local takeaways. We had to return to the takeaways as soon as we returned as they had only given us half of our order. No worries, they were very apologetic and it made the food taste better. Played some card games and then went to bed on the pull out mattress couch. Day one done and dusted.

 Foundations are very important with any type of building construction and time spent here can make a huge difference down the track. A bit like a marriage or a family. I'm so thankful for the relationship I have with Wendy. We work hard on being open and honest with each other and this has also developed with our kids even though at times I think they wish we weren't so open. Wendy is not a big talker but when she does it is foundation-ally solid.

My first of many selfies over the course of the trip.

How Star wars conquered the universe

Chris Taylor (author of the name post) is quoted as saying "They would work very persistently toward a vision, but they were also very appreciative of happy accidents, very alive and awake to the value of spontaneity."

The they is reference to the Beatles, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.

I think that one could change it to "I will work very persistently..."

I am trying to live like this now as life is too short to have everything fit in a box. At the same time it is good to have some direction while allowing for the bumps and curves to take their place.  Good is good and bad is bad (another quote this time from Thumb Wars) They just happen and move all the time through them. God is good in all situations. My experience with God has brought me to a place that yes he is the truth and when we live in that we can handle anything that this life gives to us or others. What we must do is decide what we will do with the time (another paraphrased quote, can you work out what from?).

I for one have decided to enjoy life, people, God and the world a whole lot more and attempt to not sweat the small stuff. "Don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough of its own." Where's this from

Carry your bag this day and unleash yourself to the world. (This ones mine)

New apps for education

https://sites.google.com/site/ggwg2011/other-apps

Some quality apps that can be used to motivate and inspire.

Writing Process Animation

As this blog is mainly to do with my journeys I have been on or am on, I thought that this was worth putting in this blog. I like how it uses a creative edge to demonstrate something all of us can do. Well done!! At the moment my professional development is focussed on writing. I am very aware that one cannot or should not teach in one area or without considering the student. This clip ticks all the boxes for me and I intend to use it directly with my kids even though it is designed for an older student clientele.
He states that one needs to work hard at it. That it just doesn't happen without perseverance.

Writing is a skill and as such needs to be taught, discovered, practised and applied and put in context.

ENJOY

Sea Kayaking in Abel Tasman

I did say watch this space, but you must have been watching for a very long time. I thought it was about time I updated my blogs. Well we have returned safely from our adventure at the top of the South Island. We drove the 600 odd kms to our final destination of Marahau and stayed in the local camping ground, which was well set up.

The next morning had the sun blaising at what I thought was much earlier than expected. It was going to be a good day and the weather forecast was set for more of the same, as the photos will show.

The first day was about getting to know our equipment and vehicle. We had a tour guide, Sally for the first day with lunch provided. It was a lot easier than I had anticipated. Beck was the navigator at the front of the kayak while I was in the rear using the foot pedals and oar to guide us in the right direction.

The scenery was aweinspiring. It was so great to be in nature and to see the magnificence it can produce. We are so very blessed in this country. So we kayaked for two and half days. On the final day we left our kayaks on the beach and the company we hired them from had sea shuttles that picked them up for other travellers to use. I recommend using the company we used Marahau Sea Kayaking. They were very professional and obliging. No concerns or problems. They made it an enjoyable family experience.

We then began our tramp out of Abel Tasman. Backpacks fully laden with tents, sleeping bags etc. We walked along beaches, up into the hills and watched the seals bath in the sun. It wasn;t an adventure that tested our will power, but it was one that made us think of the things we take for granted. Mostly about the freedom we have to travel and see Gods creation.

Stopping on, sometimes almost deserted beaches for a swim and some food. Looking back where we had come from and having time to talk and think about our voyage was a highlight for me. Something we will not forget for a very long time. When it was all over it was hard to say goodbye.

The natural waterslide at Cleopatra's pool was also a highlight for us, although the water was icy cold. It would almost take your breath away.

abel tasman trip

Well we are off tomorrow for another adventure. Sea kayaking and walking Abel Tasman. I will attempt to up date this as we go on our trip, but I don't know how often we will be near internet. Anyway watch this space.

Music with Jack Johnson

Just been reading an online article about Jack Johnson and his latest album "To the Sea" due to be released on the 1st of June, which I think I will purchase. I have not bought an album for so long. Part of the reason for this inclination is due to the down to earth feel I get from this 34 year old artist. He talks at interviews about his tours and that all the profits that is earnt from it go to a charity (him being the founder and not so he is rewarded but so he can keep an eye on it) for schools and production activities for others. This appeals to me. SOmeone who is giving back. SOmeone who has not lost sight of humanity and basically "being a good person". He's a thinker I reckon. He also considers why he would go on certain tv programs. He says if they are selling something he stays away. "If it feels like it's selling something, I always feel like I don't want my music to be involved," He says.
Two songs to look out for on the album that interest me anyway are Pictures of people taking pictures and My little girl. THe link where I read about this is.

http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/100508/5/itou.html

What Easter means for me

I watched this video and quite a few emotions started to well inside of me. Mostly about what man has done to man over history and with a little bit of insight into the story of Christ and his innocence and then to suffer such a painful death. The attachment I can have to this man through belief is quite profound. It is not a case of say it's not real or it is real it is a case of believing or not and as I search and derive meaning from the bible I find that my relationship with Jesus the risen saviour is increased. The video does not show it but CHrist has risen and is alive today.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=eb799088ad2c7bbbaff6

The good old narrative

The oscars have come and gone, but you can't get away from what most movies tell. It is a story, a narrative whether based on truth or experience or fantasy. I always wonder how they keep coming up with ideas. You see how I purposely removed the word new. The problem is that the majority of humans enjoy a narrative, with its introduction and character developments. The problem or conflict and then resolution with a ending that sometimes has a moral point to make or not. This video is a great example of how simplistic they can become. It is a parody, but simalarities can be seen. I think it's funny.

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever -- powered by Cracked.com

Remember the dancing mat?

This guy came up with a great idea to get people enjoying life. The video Where the hell is Mat? is great. Always gets me fired up with enthusiasm and energy. Some think it's just stupid and don't get it, but that's what makes life interesting. The fact that we are all different makes each of us interesting. This video is from the outtakes of the finished product. It takes work to achieve something awesome. It takes a few goes at it and it takes making a few mistakes or even making a fool of yourself.

Government policy sucks

This is the focus I believe that needs to be drilled home to the Government and the people of New Zealand. I reckon 80% of people out there are either too lazy to think or are so accepting of government policy. If it comes from the media or politicians well they know best. Think again. At the moment the National Government is relying on the 80% to stay like that and they use tactics that riddicule or marginalise the oppositions or others that would oppose their views.

I for one don't want to be in that 80% and if you are reading this then you probably would be offended by my comments earlier. That is the nature of the beast. Look at the contentious issues at the moment.

• Tax cuts and GST increases
• Raising the driving age
• National Standards for Primary schools

We complain about these things but hardly any of us have any back bone behind our complaining. We just sit there and say "What difference can I make?"

Well you can start by doing a bit of research on what the issues are. This will help you to make informative decisions. Stop just accepting the status quo. Think for yourself and act accordingly.

We will normally get passionate about things that are dear to our hearts, although we need to be open to support other injustices as well. Let's start with the National Standards. Have a look at this link www.handsupforlearning.org.nz

Anne Tolley our minister for Education is bullying our school representitives. See if you can find the article about how her ministers are threatening to fire Board of Trustees who don't implement the National Standards.

You might think "why should I care, I have no kids or my kids are all grown up?" You will be surprised to find that when you are informed on issues it gives freedom and gives you a right to express your thoughts.

If you are concerned about what the Government is doing with National Standards I recommend you print off the pettition that can be found in the above link and get your friends to sign it and send it off before the end of May. By doing this you can have a part in making a difference.

Trial National Standards Not Our Kids

Finding your element

I have begun reading Sir Ken Robinson's book, The Element- How finding your passion changes everything. The reason I picked up this book was that I have been concerned for some time about our education system. The book is a reflective look at who we are as human beings and how extraordinarily unique we can be if we don't just accept common assumptions about intelligence, creativity and education. I think it is a book that our politicians should read as they attempt to change our education system. He makes wonderful insights into what assumptions education is for. For example "...the education system as it is and what the Government in New Zealand wants to continue with stiffles some of the most important capacities that young people need to make their way in the increasingly demanding world of the 21st Century" (page 14) But our leaders continue to fall into the trap that there is only one method or way and that all students fall into the same standards, which increases conformity rather than creativity. Our Prime Minister talks about developing innovative and creative thinking and throwing money into this, but does not see the significance of being pro active in developing this in our education system.

When a child begins school, they are full of questions and wondering, but along their journey of education they learn that this is not accpetable and that they have to conform to a certain way of learning. The reason for this is because our leaders know best. No not true at all. No one knows what the future entails. What type of work and jobs will there be for our students? What ways of learning? We need to be dynamic and allow ourselves and our future citizens the right to find their own paths.

I think the previous Government got it right with the new NZ Curriculum, but the implementation of the National standards will drain away the depth and scope the curriculum has for discovering new ways of learning and will send us yet again into a slow boiling pot where we don't notice that we are being boiled alive. The question we should be asking ourselves and others is not How intelligent are you? but How are you intelligent. I will be doing this when I return to school.

If you are an advocate for freedom of speech and desire a day when one can develop and follow their passions then read this book and make a difference to our society and education system. I choose to. I plan to design a petition to parliment asking the public to stand with me and ask the Government to allow a time for trialling the NAtional Standards that has been forced into schools by what I see as bullying and short sightedness. And I can say that because our Education Minister as been reported as saying "If teachers do not implement the National Standards they are breaking the law" PLease make your comments.

Guitar Music

Who remembers the days of the band Dream Mary? No one probably except those who were in it and a few dedicated followers. I picked up my guitar today after a time of it just hanging on the wall. I started reminiscing of days my friends and I decided to start up a band in the basement of our local church and not just any church band, this was the second U2. I looked on the back of the photos and our first gig was almost 20 years ago to the day 17th February 1990. I couldn't get this photo in this post becasue I couldn't get it to rotate landscape.


The stage was set and we began our music with u2's I will follow. I remember listening to it afterwards because we had recorded it through our sound system onto a tape recorder. My guitar was out of tune. The other eventful thing that happened that night was the roof of the stage fell down and because I was the tallest I was left holding the beam up while the rest of the band members took our very expensive gear off stage. (Do you sense some sacrasm in my words).


The fact is I wouldn't change a thing. We were young and felt that we could do anything. I reckon that is a good thing to have. Over the years I still beleive in dreams. I still believe that the human soul is invincible but we become refined in our actions, thinking and moods. My guitar playing, I think has improved becausue I realise now that it is about the band or the music rather than oneself. In the immortal words of my guitar hero Edge who said " What are you saying with it? not can you play this lick? It's about what you are saying with your insturment. It's the same with life. What am I saying with my life? Not what can I do. Yes action can speak larger than words, but in the saying you are doing. It's about finding yourself with all the noise and being content with it. It's about living it rather than meeting a goal. I have learnt over the twenty years in my guitar playing that the notes do actually mean something. Each note has become expensive. You just don't throw them around. Another thought from Edge. I hope you can make your own paralells to our lives in these words. When I read this in Bill Flanagan's book U2 At the end of the world, it made sense to me.

This photo was taken on March 24th 1990 at the big bop boogie concert outside the Founders Theatre Hamilton NZ