Purchasing power and exercising
Recent purchases:
1. Split system spanking new airconditioner for my mum.
You'd think for that price that it would deliver and install itself, however, this is not the case. I had to cancel a date to see Harry Potter so Mikl and I could drive to mum's place to discuss installation options with the electrician. Delivery, Installation (very expensive!!), and permission from the Housing Commision (my mum is renting from government subsidised housing in a disabled facility), all have to be organised. I'm onto the HC, and after speaking with the electrician have determined that the only system that can be installed is a more expensive one from Panasonic, that I've ordered into Harvey Normal (electrical retailer). HN will call when the new system arrives, and meanwhile I can get on with my life.
2. Road bike.
I took my old bike in to get an upgrade, and they wouldn't stop laughing and sold me a new one. I got a deal, as I know the guy and have friends who are cycle fiends and also climbers, and this small circle of friends enabled me to wim big on the purchase price. Its a Giant CRX 4, 18 gears of hapiness and I put clip bard onto the handlebars, which are straight so that I can ride around town easier. The road bike was purchase to enable me to exercise more*
* Exercising more
Saturday (today is Monday) I bought my new bike with Shaz, who immediate;y accessorized it, and took me out for the death ride 3000, also known as Introductory Ride for Ness, 1.01. The problem is that we rode around Shaz's local area, and she lives on the Lapstone monocline in Sydney's West. This is basically the hilliest place in Australia, and the only way out of her street is straight up. After the initial shock of the straight upness of it all, and losing the chain in all the confusion of 18 gears of freedom, my heart rate settled to a more useful 180bpm and we settled into a more sedate pace while I recovered. We would have chosen not to ride in the 36 degree day (this is very hot for all you US people), in the heat of the early afternoon, except that the bike was new, and as such the new toy had to be used immediately. 45 minutes later and I convinced Shaz that Introductory Ride for Ness 1.01 should come to an end before I did, and she reluctantly led me down the hill of death back to the sanctuary of towels in the shady back yard and ice blocks on sticks. I have secretly invited another friend along who isn't as fit as me for next weeks Ride for Ness, 1.02, so that it will really be Introductory Ride for Lesley, 1.01, and I won't feel like such a duff duff.
Mikl failed to leave the crag he was at on Saturday before 7.30, which meant that he didn't get to pick me up from Shaz'z Ness sitting services until almost 9pm. I scolded him on the error of his ways, and he said that he would endevour to be a better boy.
Sunday Mikl and I picked up Lesley and headed up the hill (to the blue mountains - the hill I refer to is the Lapstone monocline, where Shaz lives). When we got most of the way, we passed some friends who Mikl flagged down and leapt into their car leaving lesley and i to fend for ourselves. We wanted to climb something easy and long, and Mikl suggested Margarine Ridge, a 333m (1000ft) climb. We were a little reluctant, as although we really wanted to do the climb, we weren't prepared for a long route, and it was already 10 am, and also the walk in takes an hour, if you know where you are going. Mikl growled at us so we thought perhaps it would be a good idea. Turned out to be a great idea, except that
a. We had to stop to get food, which took time.
b. We nearly crashed the Volvo on the 20 mile very loose and steep dirt road on the way in - i corrected 4 times in a fishtail before I managed to figure out how to control the car, which took another 4 corrections, and lesley was pretty sure we'd die, as the road is next to some pretty big cliffs.
c. We took over two hour to walk in as there is another trail now that wasn't in the directions. Although we did come face to face with a pretty big snake, which I identified as harmless. Lesley was bhind me and didn't believe me as in the area we were the chances are you have come across a very poisonouss and angry snake, which represent 99% of our snake population, but when I pointed it out we both agreed that it was indeed a harmless python, which is very rare for the region, I think. t any rate, it was cold and didn't much mind us stumbling by. We were in a very steep gulley descent where to pass the snake meant practically giving it a tongue kiss as you went by, so we were pretty happy it was the 1% harmless type.
So, we arrived at the base, at 1.30pm, and a bit short on water. We decided to proceed anyway, given that the sun wouldn't set until 8.30, we both had headlamps, the climbing was easy and Mikl knew we were doing it. Great climbing, Lesley and I swung leads and topped out at about 7pm, back at the car at 7.30. Gave Mikl a ring, and he said he'd meet us by the side of a road somewhere nearby. Unfortunately it took us until 8.15 to get to him due to the crap road and Volvo prowress, where we found out he'd finished climbing at 4pm and had been well bored and alone since then. I felt bad, but then remembered it was his idea, and that he made me wait hours and hours yesterday for him.
In short, a great weekend.
1. Split system spanking new airconditioner for my mum.
You'd think for that price that it would deliver and install itself, however, this is not the case. I had to cancel a date to see Harry Potter so Mikl and I could drive to mum's place to discuss installation options with the electrician. Delivery, Installation (very expensive!!), and permission from the Housing Commision (my mum is renting from government subsidised housing in a disabled facility), all have to be organised. I'm onto the HC, and after speaking with the electrician have determined that the only system that can be installed is a more expensive one from Panasonic, that I've ordered into Harvey Normal (electrical retailer). HN will call when the new system arrives, and meanwhile I can get on with my life.
2. Road bike.
I took my old bike in to get an upgrade, and they wouldn't stop laughing and sold me a new one. I got a deal, as I know the guy and have friends who are cycle fiends and also climbers, and this small circle of friends enabled me to wim big on the purchase price. Its a Giant CRX 4, 18 gears of hapiness and I put clip bard onto the handlebars, which are straight so that I can ride around town easier. The road bike was purchase to enable me to exercise more*
* Exercising more
Saturday (today is Monday) I bought my new bike with Shaz, who immediate;y accessorized it, and took me out for the death ride 3000, also known as Introductory Ride for Ness, 1.01. The problem is that we rode around Shaz's local area, and she lives on the Lapstone monocline in Sydney's West. This is basically the hilliest place in Australia, and the only way out of her street is straight up. After the initial shock of the straight upness of it all, and losing the chain in all the confusion of 18 gears of freedom, my heart rate settled to a more useful 180bpm and we settled into a more sedate pace while I recovered. We would have chosen not to ride in the 36 degree day (this is very hot for all you US people), in the heat of the early afternoon, except that the bike was new, and as such the new toy had to be used immediately. 45 minutes later and I convinced Shaz that Introductory Ride for Ness 1.01 should come to an end before I did, and she reluctantly led me down the hill of death back to the sanctuary of towels in the shady back yard and ice blocks on sticks. I have secretly invited another friend along who isn't as fit as me for next weeks Ride for Ness, 1.02, so that it will really be Introductory Ride for Lesley, 1.01, and I won't feel like such a duff duff.
Mikl failed to leave the crag he was at on Saturday before 7.30, which meant that he didn't get to pick me up from Shaz'z Ness sitting services until almost 9pm. I scolded him on the error of his ways, and he said that he would endevour to be a better boy.
Sunday Mikl and I picked up Lesley and headed up the hill (to the blue mountains - the hill I refer to is the Lapstone monocline, where Shaz lives). When we got most of the way, we passed some friends who Mikl flagged down and leapt into their car leaving lesley and i to fend for ourselves. We wanted to climb something easy and long, and Mikl suggested Margarine Ridge, a 333m (1000ft) climb. We were a little reluctant, as although we really wanted to do the climb, we weren't prepared for a long route, and it was already 10 am, and also the walk in takes an hour, if you know where you are going. Mikl growled at us so we thought perhaps it would be a good idea. Turned out to be a great idea, except that
a. We had to stop to get food, which took time.
b. We nearly crashed the Volvo on the 20 mile very loose and steep dirt road on the way in - i corrected 4 times in a fishtail before I managed to figure out how to control the car, which took another 4 corrections, and lesley was pretty sure we'd die, as the road is next to some pretty big cliffs.
c. We took over two hour to walk in as there is another trail now that wasn't in the directions. Although we did come face to face with a pretty big snake, which I identified as harmless. Lesley was bhind me and didn't believe me as in the area we were the chances are you have come across a very poisonouss and angry snake, which represent 99% of our snake population, but when I pointed it out we both agreed that it was indeed a harmless python, which is very rare for the region, I think. t any rate, it was cold and didn't much mind us stumbling by. We were in a very steep gulley descent where to pass the snake meant practically giving it a tongue kiss as you went by, so we were pretty happy it was the 1% harmless type.
So, we arrived at the base, at 1.30pm, and a bit short on water. We decided to proceed anyway, given that the sun wouldn't set until 8.30, we both had headlamps, the climbing was easy and Mikl knew we were doing it. Great climbing, Lesley and I swung leads and topped out at about 7pm, back at the car at 7.30. Gave Mikl a ring, and he said he'd meet us by the side of a road somewhere nearby. Unfortunately it took us until 8.15 to get to him due to the crap road and Volvo prowress, where we found out he'd finished climbing at 4pm and had been well bored and alone since then. I felt bad, but then remembered it was his idea, and that he made me wait hours and hours yesterday for him.
In short, a great weekend.
posted by Ness at 1:40 pm
3 Comments:
Hoorah for new toys and epics!
Epics are great. I didn't mention it, but the climb is a 13, which made it even more of an epic, as a blueies sandstone 13 means loose rock, and vegetation. But a great climb anyway. Must get lock for new bike.
Hey, I know how hot 36-degree C is! That's the temperature I start to spontaneously combust.
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