Rodgers.... Shambo Rodgers

Armed with a USIT card craftily acquired in Bangkok, Mr Rodgers (nee Hayes) arrived in NZ with a mission: To prove that an Irish flag can be used as a fully-functioning cape.

Having thrown himself out of an airplane from 12,000 feet, he defaulted to the use of a parachute and thus struck this attempt from the record books.

Later in the same week, Mr Rodgers used the same cape as a prop in his explanation of the 800 years of oppression of our country, the thievery of our land, our jobs and our women. Needless to say, the audience was left spellbound.

Thankfully, just before his departure for the North Island, the ever-patriotic Mr Rodgers had more success. Full of scoop from the previous evening, standing atop the Kawarau Bridge just outside Queenstown, Rodgers threw himself 43 metres towards a certain (and chilly) death. All the stood between the mercurial Rodgers and his maker was the trusty Irish flag. Thankfully for his fans (the "Shambones" as they have dubbed themselves), Rodgers created a little slice of history. An Bratach Eireannach sailing lazily in the morning breeze, the crowd gasped at this proud Irishman's daring and lunacy. Just as the women and children were being sheltered from what was sure to end in a horrific mess of green, white and gold, Rodgers engaged his flag and soared.

SnowTime in Wanakatown

So, our reason for being here is to spend the season "laying down some fresh lines, taming the pow and throwing down some sick moves". If we can do some boarding and skiing while we're at it, all the better.

In the hectic week before the season kicked off, we sorted ourselves out with skis, boots, snowboards and excessively large trousers. It had been snowing heavily during May, so when the slopes opened on June 26th, the conditions were the best in years, according to the Wanaka City locals. If you ever get here, ask them about the Inversion Layer. They'll give you the rundown.

We've had visits from Ger, Aoibheann, GavRob, Emily, AllMODCons, Dan and Hannah. We've shown them the sights of Cardrona, evening drinks by the lakeside in Wanaka, Cinema Paradiso and happy hour at the Stale House. We've had some spills and encounters with ice walls but so far so good.