New Year is here, new things to shoot!

Well, OK........it was pretty quiet.

In fact I would have to say the quietest New Years ever spent! Other than a unreal expectation to enjoy the night at CLOUDLAND in the valley (which of course was out of the question), I was more than happy to hang at home, enjoy a few quiet beers and hit the pillow before 9.30om.

Left plenty of time to daydream, nightdream and ponder on goals for 2010.

I hope to bring to life my 'nush focus' exhibition. I will post some of the works as they unfold.

I hope to publish my 'Milford Sound' pictorial book - lush with epic shots of 'Lord of the Rings' meets my own personal 'National Lampoons' across the West Coast of South Island, New Zealand.



The main hightlights being the Milford Sound track itself (cant wait to check out Rich Tuzon's sketches......Howdy Rich!!!!! richtuzon@blogspot.com - CHECK THIS OUT FOR QUALITY!!!) and Sharon from the Fiordlands Tix Office at Te Anua.........hi mate - your a legend!!!. The scenery was extreme, like nothing ever experienced, the quality of the experiences, backed up like visual dominos - just BREATHTAKING!!

Franz Josef Glacier was just as epic and the half day climb is fully recommended - the full day better with more time. I was blessed with the sunshine.



It was freekin HAIRY driving around the west coast - that landscape is so raw and wild....landslips are commonplace and the evidence of constant upkeep of the national highways is ever present. Im such a soft-arse!!!!!! Thanks to the bearded wanderer who pointed out major road rules and saved possibly a head on with a campervan at some point down the track.

Some of the warmest people hang out in Hokitika where the greenstone is pulled from deep within the earth to make the most organic carved peices of jewellery which I of course obsessed over. Too hard choosing but the fun was getting to talk to some lovely folk who had out of the way shops featuring the local artists - instead of the big guns commercialised stuff.



A big point of interest back on the home front is my sister-inlaw, Ellen's production of Peach and Apricot dessert wines. Got to taste her first vintage and man.....she's nailed it already. The most exquisite perfumed wine Ive ever had the pleasure of tasting. Real promise!! I will keep you posted.