Christmas in the sun... there is somthing not normal about that

21/12/11-23/12/11

work, work, work but its christmas sooon


24/12/11

Well its Christmas eve and after a day of work we were looking forward to a sunny Christmas and low and behold the weather looked like it was going to play ball! That evening our friend Tory came round and we watched a movie ate food and wondered what Santa would be bringing. Unfortunately for James we had not send the change of address cards to Santa's little helper so whilst there was a tree and a chimney we were quite sure Santa would not be able to find him...

25/12/11

We woke to a white Christmas... sorry I mean a bright Christmas. The sun was out, there was not a cloud in the sky and we were ready for our first kiwi Christmas. First up was breakfast for James, Tory and me. Of course this was outside in the sun and was leisurely. Jealous yet? Before long we were off to the beech complete with 3 deck chairs, bbq, chilly bin, sun tent, badminton set, body boards and wet suits. Well we thought we best hit all the bases! The day its self was of course fantastic. We ate, sun bathed, played and swam. Quite why we celebrate Christmas in the northern hemisphere in the winter is beyond me. If only we could move the dates to mid summer. That way travelling 12,000 miles would not be necessary to get the Christmas sun. Dam geography and pesky traditions of celebrating on the 25th December

Post beech we were all rather brown and in some cases red. Not to be detailed we headed up to R&R's for dinner. Roger had forgotten that I was catering so alas we ended up with more food that you could shake a stick at. Roger being roger had also requested that I wore a shirt that I had bought in Auckland. When I arrived the git had the exact same one...grrrr

After a leisurely dinner and skipping both mothers we fell into the hot tub, drank more wine and were merry. Anyone missing the cold and or snow? We concluded that the best place for that weather was only on the front of cards!

26/12/11

Ross visits his mother on Christmas day and as this requires a 5 hour trip each way he was not back. This was not good for his business as there was a cruse ship in for the day. So with a mild hangover I hit the port and began selling his tours. a few hours later and I had 16 punters signed up and Ross was back to take them out. Well one loves selling stuff and being flamboyant so its a good partnership really.

Post sales and it was back up to R&R's where the boys were emerging from their slumbers. A round of breakfast later complete with bucks fizz and we were set for the day. Piling into the card James, Tory, Ross, Crag and I hit another beech, had a walk, sunbathed and relaxed. On our travels we encountered meant other Kiwis' who had gone camping. Now this is not camping as the Brits know it. There are no small wet tents congregating in a damp field with a stinky toilet block. No the Kiwis' do it properly. First up select a spot you can drive your truck to. Unload a tent the size of a house, dining tables, proper cutlery, fire up you gas BBQ, and reline next to your beer fridge. Now that's what I call camping.


27/12/11

After much talking about mums arrival I woke with a start as I realised that she would be with us the next day. A round of lawn mowing, sheet washing and shopping then occurred. Feeling prepared we headed off to another beech (any one spotting a trend here) for an afternoon with R&R. Post beech we were ready for rehydration so we cracked open some wine and admired the view.

Dinner was Tory's treat so he and I drove over to a very popular fish and chip shop where after a 45 minute wait we were rewarded with some fantastic food. Back home reclining of the sofa we ate and watched the sex in the city movie. Sentimental trash but a nice way to end the Christmas break.

28/12/11

Its H day. After 36 hours of travailing, admittedly business class, Hilary was due on the other side of the world. Ross collected her from the airport and deposited her at our house. After popping home from work for lunch with her we decided that a trip round the Nui was in order. The Nui is the ghetto social housing estate where I work. Ross was unsure mum would be safe but as mum pointed out it is hardly toxteth!

Post work we spent the evening catching up and drinking far too much beer! would you expect anything else?





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