AB Circle Pro

These things have an almost cult following, so I've found, an AB "Circus" Pro more like.
They retail for something over $400 NZ, I had to bid $330 on TradeMe for mine, thats about the middle order quoting on the site for units in good condition second hand. Have since heard of successful bargaining with the retailer on return units at better than the above.
There seems to be a few sharks in the TradeMe pool too, same listings under different names.
Real question is, why are they so popular?
I was attracted because on TV, it looked like a 15 minute hell, and like all exercise disciples, I want to do something about my mid-riff, you can do it indoors when its too wet for other outdoors stuff, and it dosent rark up the carpet.
Does it work?

Another torture rack

A mate spotted it while visiting the other day, and he said none of them do, that's why they continue to sell!
Cant follow any logic in that, but for my two-bob's worth after 4 weeks, yes, I think there is some value.
First, 10-15 minutes on it hurts.
I do 8 exercises, 3 sets of ten as prescribed on the support DVD, with 6 sets of ten push-ups on it, spread between them.
Often I do this twice a day.
Second, I havent gained a hole on my belt, but its definitely easier doing up the trouser top button.
Third, I swim twice a week most weeks, and thats definitely coming easier, swimming's a lot to do with twist of the trunk towards the leading hand. So much of normal daily exertion gets easier with core trunk fitness too.
Fourth, you can get pretty warm after just 5 minutes on it, saves on home heating!
Just a couple of proviso's.
One, the old hoary chestnut, specificity. Its a big help, but its not a whole fitness spectrum panacaea. Drop running in favour of time on this machine and you'll lose aerobic levels.
Actually, to update on this comment, my running, like the swimming, is coming easier with improved core strength, just the huffing and puffing to work on now.
Other comments:
I weigh over 110kg, I'd say that's close to the machine's weight limit, the rollers creak a bit under me on some of the exercises. I'm also limited to the middle effort setting, (there are 3 settings determined by slope of the circle, flat to steep), my knees get some damage on the steep setting, which a lighter person probably wouldnt experience.
If youre buying one, get a later generation version with 2 rollers under each knee-pad.
For those that believe these things dont work, I'd comment that the torture level would have the average feckless Joe giving up in a week. Theyre also a bit boring, you cant watch TV while youre doing it, like you can with a treadmill or stationary bike.
On the other hand, 10-15 minutes isnt a big time impost, just do it enough for the hurt, but not so much it kills the motivation.
Train, dont strain.

Bella's Cafe

Had a nice feed last night, worth noting, as much for how it came about as it was in the eating.
During the week, Dompost's Life insert carried a story about Palmerston North's MasterChef NZ contestant, Michelle Berry, and her penchant for the pork loin main at Bella's, 2 The Square, PN.
If you're a late diner like me, you can usually find a park in George St, or the little street that joins George with the sw corner of the Square, but enter from the Square.
As she says, the dish is actually 3 servings of pork, a serve of fillet, a square of belly, and some perfectly done crackling, resting on a base of mustard slaw.
I had mine with the vegetable side, carrot, cauli, and something else, but not forgetable on account it was fresh and crunchy, just how I like it. Other sides, eg stringcut fries, salad, to name a couple are also available, $5 ea.
All menu mains were $35, and although a little lonely looking on a huge plate, I left the table pretty replete.
I chose a glass of Kingsmill Tippet's Dam 2007 pinot noir, and was delighted with the match with the meal. Critics have described this wine as dense and powerful, and amongst pinots I'd have to agree, solid rather than over-powering though. Also said to have a savoury edge, I'd call it more a slight age/fume, giving the long finish. Now one of my favorites anyway. $15 a glass here, but no regrets about that.
I'd forgotten about Michelle's recommendation of the chocolate cheesecake, but the maitre d` kindly offered a serve in a take-home bag, which I accepted, but didnt really need, the main was so enough on its own, and the cheesecake a bit too rich for me.
The service was excellent.
So was the coffee.
It was a dear enough meal for one, but I'll be back. Michelle says her hubby wont go past the eye fillet.
They even asked if I'd like the paper to read while I waited.
9 out of 10.

Holiday Rides

Before I forget, 1200km on the CB between Boxing Day and New Year.
First to Wellington, stopping off for all-day b/f at Beachcomber Cafe, Waitarere Beach.
Worth the 5km diversion off the main drag, keeps good hours, good off-street parking, nice outdoors tabling for fine days, and wholesome tucker. 9/10.
Then on to Upper Hutt. Gave the Akatarawa road in from Waikanae a miss, nearly got bowled twice last time I tried it.


View from Paekakariki Hill


Just as an aside comment, I'm finding Subaru's the biggest vehicular road hazard to my biking. Is it something to do with financial availability to the not so mentally well-endowed? Could I make the same observation to next in line XR Falcons with their market-leading lease policies.
The Paekakariki Hill has something of the same rep with some bikers, but I think its an OK ride.

Overnight hospitality with US trip roomie Richard and 'Cinta, meeting up with Roger and Robyn for a decko at the European Masters Exhibition at Te Papa, (while Roger and Richard waited out at the Brewery place next-door), great to be able to spot a Monet, a Degas, and a Van Gogh, all from the same vantage point, privilege.......

On way home stopped at Red House Cafe, Te Horo. On sighting this place up on Google Maps once I'd got home, was somewhat surprised to see comments bagging it, some people are right hard to satisfy toss-pots.
Sure it wasnt hash-foundry cheap, but contrary to the comment, I thought the service was the equal of any city, and certainly more than I expected for a wayside inn, the menu was fine dining standard, and they "no problem" made up a special salad to order for me, as I only wanted to eat light on that occasion. 8/10 on JReb's scale.

Raukawa Falls, Parapara

Next day, it was saddle up again, heading for Tauranga to scope up a farm ute prospect, a glorious morning ride up the ParaPara,  TePonanga Saddle, Western Taupo, for a b/f stop at Whakamaru. Dunno the name of the cafe, but its on the right as you turn right towards the dam, and worth pulling into. 8/10 on this one.

Mt Ruapehu

Did the deal on the ute, and home again, jiggedy-jig.

Movie: True Grit

I'd sort of forgotten, this is a depressing side of the equation yarn, you can trust the Coen Bros to do the dark very well, and as opposed to the John Wayne, Glenn Campbell original, they stuck to the novel's telling of the story through the eyes of the young girl.
Outstanding portrayal of the old ranger by Jeff Bridges, oscar nomination well deserved. Too often big stars dont bring off their role by losing it in their own persona, but Jeff was well disguised by the beard and eye patch.
Not so with Matt Damon playing the foppish young Texas ranger, you keep expecting him to pull finger and and do the super-spy clean-up of all the baddies.
Will be one of the year's best, 4 out of 5.

Movie: The Tourist

The less said about this movie the better so as not to spoil things as the plot plods its way into a top movie. As she did in Salt, Angelina Jolie continues to positively devour the spy/thriller heroine role, fabulous eye candy more gorgeous by the year and I'm smitten... absolutely.
Johnny Depp, is the consumate foil, shedding all trace of Jack Sparrow or the Chocolate Wonka, a tribute to this man's versatility. Look up his guitar capabilities on You Tube, Minor Swing and Caravan, from the movie Chocolat, and bits from Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Keep an eye out for a rumoured role as Tonto in a re-make of the Lone Ranger.
The Tourist, top movie, 5 out of 5!

Movie: Tron: Legacy

Surprise, surprise...
Thought this might be a kids movie, and it sort of was, but when the opening bit had the hero low-flying a souped up Ducati, well...., you just knew big kids were in for a blast as well, great special FX, gripping action, and a fair story-line although the shmaltz dragged a bit in the middle.
Old Jeff Bridges has had a great year with his movies, and the hero, Garrett Hedlund, played a steady, not over-done, role, reminded a bit of Rob Hamill, (Luke Skywalker), only with a nicer touch of maturity. He's come along well since a bit part debut in Troy, a lead role in the sci-fan Eragon, and a step-stone of parts in box-office successes up till now. Something to look forward to in the coming year is a lead role in the Kerouac novel based Coppola movie On The Road, (jees, I'll have to have a talk to these blokes about flogging my blog name, lol), filmed in Canada, Argentina, Mexico, and USA. Also starring are Vigo Mortensen, LOTR, Kristen Stewart, Twilight, and Kirsten Dunst.
The Tron female lead, Olivia Wilde, more than held her own against the boys, we'll see more of her in the coming year, couple of sci-fi's including Cowboys & Aliens with Daniel Craig, and Now with Justin Timberlake.
You might remember her from that cranky comedy Year 1 with Jack Black. It was panned as a stinker by the critics, but I thought it was a pretty good laugh, I think there's a bit of Jack in all us blokes.
Anyway, I give Tron: Legacy 3 out of 5, and I've now got a pair of 3-D specs I can use at the next stuff comin' at ya screening!

Norfolk 12/10 #2

The flight finally got off the ground near midnight Thursday, representing most of the week gone for us travellers planning the week on Norfolk, return flight due following Sunday, less than 4 days away.
Fortunately for AirNZ, the treatment they'd accorded by way of interim accommodation and meals had pretty near everyone still in good spirits, with renewed respect and loyalty to the company, despite the fact some flights from Aussie had popped in and out of Norfolk during that time. The early winter disruption of European flight schedules and the repercussions on trans-Pacific flying, smack in the pre-Xmas week, obviously affecting AirNZ's ability to provide service.
Goes to show, keeping the troops well fed will keep your Brownie points up.
And, Thursday dawned fine and clear on Norfolk, first time the locals had seen the sun for weeks. Running into flight compatriots around the island, they were surprisingly philosophical about the whole deal, and thoroughly enjoying the few glorious days they had left.
More like a lot of fellow travellers returning to their island home, I was visiting whanau for Xmas, so there was less at stake by way of lost accommodation and holiday.

Part of the old convict ruins

So, Norfolk Island...
5 miles by 3, 650 miles north of Auckland, 900 east of Brisbane, part of the Commonwealth of Aussie.
First thought settled by 14th/15th century Polynesian seafarers, more likely a way-station for those blown off course from the Kermadec route.
In 1774, old Cookie again, in his second voyage in the Resolution made the first sighting by a European and he named it after the Duchess of Norfolk.
It was noted by the early Poms that the place grew native flax, so not long after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney, some soldiers and a handful of convicts were dispatched to develop the industry, but this petered out.
However, because the place was so remote, a second penal settlement phase took place, as somewhere to send the worst of the worst convict, which some say, lacking the social experimentation that was taking place at Port Arthur, was more terrible a place to be consigned to.

Burnt Pine shopping centre

In the mid 1850's England implemented penal servitude back home and the transportation process was discontinued, and on June 8 1856, the next settlement began with the arrival of descendants of the Bounty mutineers from Pitcairn Island, who form the basis of the island's 1800 odd population to this day.
Its a great place to holiday, only an hour and a half from Auckland, AirNZ runs once a week, tourism of course, the island's main industry. It's a busy little place, but one of it's main delights to us outsiders is the security of being able to leave your car and home unlocked.
The lack of taxation and social welfare as we know it has engendered a culture imbued with community values, exemplified by everybody waving to all and sundry when driving past, an inculcated recognition of the other person.
Then there's the scenery, surrounding sea and cliff-scapes, and my favorite Pacific beach, Emily Bay, where

Emily Bay

you can swim in crystal blue-green waters, amongst coloured reef fish.

The fishing's said to be fun, although I'm yet to go out after them, and the cafe/pub life is well served for the occasional tourist, plus a top notch golf course.



Seascape



Emily Bay to the right



Low tide at Bumboras

Xmas dinner under the canvas