Rain

For any of you still labouring under the delusion that 'NZ, its a bit like Aus', then let me repeat what I've probably said elsewhere before - its not!

Setting aside the huge cultural, historical, ethnic, geographical, financial differences, the weather just ain't as hot here. And right now its pee-ing down, proper Manchester styley! In fact its been wet all weekend.

A guy I work with (Linas) went tramping over the weekend and got soaked (obviously). Now I've walked places in the rain before, even been on a hike in the rain, but these guys clearly thought walking in the rain should be some kind of Olympian sport, up there with the 1600m relay, the javelin and tossing the caber (ok, last one's a fake). Apparently as a part of this great hike, they had to walk through a river - a river! Not simply hop from convenient rock to next convenient rock nicely sat in a streambed, but actual up-to-your-thighs wading to get across, then carry on walking, soaked-through no doubt, until resting for the night, not in some nice warm hostel, but under canvas outside, while its still raining!

What amuses me most (no offence Linas) is that it costs to join this motley crew of walkers, some paltry amount of course, but if that's the kind of hike they like to go on, I'd expect to be receiving money, not shelling out!