Be Still

I had a "moment" yesterday.

We're down at Ohau and I took my bike to the road. (As you do)

It was spectacular. The sun was out, but dropping behind the mountains very quickly. Probably about 6 degrees out and I was biking into the wind. Brrr!

At one point I just pulled over and it was so utterly quiet. No cars, nothing. All I could hear was the occasional bird. Right in front of me? Massive snow-capped mountains. My breathing sounded almost intrusive in an atmosphere like that.

It was like I could hear God whispering. In the light of such awesome, magnificent beauty it's like the whole world fell into perspective. It's why I love getting out of town. You never get utter stillness and silence in town. We clutter life with noise. Traffic, tv, radio, advertising. Humanity is very good at talking and not listening.

Imagine all that would be revealed if we just listened.

(P.s - it's snowing again)

I think it's important to remember that God's not the noise of the storm - the thunder, the waves, the earthquake, the hail, the sleet...you get the point.

If I was to associate God with the weather system it would be snow. Snow is silent, it has this ability to blanket everything it touches. What's more it transforms. Not in a hugely intrusive way. But in a gentle, quiet way. And yet it has the ability to make the whole world grind to a halt if it's heavy enough.

That's what I think anyway. I think we all need a little more snow in our lives.

*sigh*

Well...all good things must come to an end I guess. I have to go back to work on Monday - which means we are leaving Ohau tomorrow morning :P

I really, really don't want to!!! *sob*

Although right now I'm in a lot of pain. So I'd probably sob over having to move off the couch. We went mountain biking today. Hard core!!!

Weather when we started out...see that little trail up the hill? THAT'S where we were heading!

It was so lucky that I've been doing 3km around the village pretty much daily since we've been here. I think if I'd done no exercise at all I'd have been in A LOT of trouble...lol. As it was it was pretty intense. Lots of hills and pretty rough terrain.

Geeky husband lol

Our intrepid leader - excepting he is behind other people

Isaac doesn't really like biking - well, he never used to. He's more of a runner. But I basically never run because I don't like the impact. (Possibly because I don't have proper running shoes!) Anyway, am hoping to talk him into getting bikes because that will actually mean that I will possibly be inspired to get some exercise when NOT on holiday.

Me all hot and sweaty - awesome :P

I have not the ability or stamina to make it up this hill. But if you peer closely you will see the intrepid leader make his way up!

So yes, two hours (approximately) there and back. 8kms total...but felt a LOT harder than that, probably because we weren't on the flat. Parts were very windy and rainy. My Columbia outer served me quite well when we were waiting for the really fit ones to make it up the hill and back.

However, it really fined up for the ride back :)

So yes, sore and holidays are over. Much sadness! But I'll sleep well tonight!!!

Nacho Weekend

There is nothing quite like braving the cold conditions to stand out on a veranda to take photos of the snow as it falls...

I had a WHOLE extra day off work this weekend...it was fantastic. Obviously with so much time on our hands the only sensible thing to do was to brave the 3 and a 1/2 hour drive down to Ohau. We'd been planning this trip for quite some time and had all been looking forward to it. Four of us set out on Thursday night - and completely missed the bad weather. Two of our party set out on Friday night and got caught out by the weather - and had to spend the night in a motel room at Burke's Pass!

Nevertheless those of us who had made it through safely persevered with the cold and bravely went out for a walk once the snow abated...look at the mountains. Awesome, right??

Meloui...not the drink, the couple. Rugged up because obviously it is COLD...felt a little like we were in Canada. Not that ANY of us have ever been to Canada before. But it was so wintery and wonderland-like that you kind of imagined it that way.

Without the bears of course!

Brrr...us facing into the village INSTEAD of out at the scenery. We are the retardation. But hey, the village looks very pretty. So does the lamp post next to us. We will find our way to Narnia next....

Clouds on the way back from our walk...pretty, right? Was very, very awesome!!! I like being out there...so few people and all the home comforts. And it's just so QUIET. Brilliant :)

Boys breaking up icy puddles so they can play with the ice. So amused...lol. Ah nature and it's wonders....

Ice ice baby....

Isaac and his ice shard that he chipped from the road...Ah am so proud of mah boy...lol. These are the achievements in life worth remembering! Hehehe...Not to mention that I later got him in the ear with a snowball. Yes indeedy I am awesome!!!!

Most awesome action shot ever!!! I love my new but not new camera. It takes awesome photos and they are all in many pixels so I can enlarge them :)

I tell you what though, I seriously, seriously needed the time off work. I haven't really had a break since January (when I started) and I'm not likely to have a break till November - when the wedding madness truly begins!

Long trudge back to warmth and hot drinks!