25th December 2009 – Christmas Day!

Christmas day in New Zealand is a rather strange affair. I would imagine that the bookies would have some pretty peculiar odds for a White Christmas out here.

Aidan awoke us bright and early. Too early. We sleepily plodded down the road from our temporary residence to Nan & Granpa’s to see whether Santa Claus had been good enough to take a detour for Aidan this year.

Turns out he had.

Christmas Morning

(Picture: Aidan opening one of his many presents)

(Picture: Aidan opening more presents)

The opening of the presents started to make me feel a little more christmassy, but, as always, some people just have to ruin it. Just when I was starting to enter happy festive mode and possibly even place a santa hat on my head despite the heat, the impossible happened….

….two people managed to get the dress code wrong! Yup, this was the moment when the Easter bunnies turned up!

(Picture: Easter Wimmen)

Shortly after this, Nan was presented with a special hand-made mini replica of herself. The head wobbled all by itself and included a wonderful comment about criticism that has slipped my mind just now. Perhaps somebody would be kind enough to add it to the comments. Also if someone could lip-read, I would appreciate knowing what Nan is trying to say here….

(Picture: “Minime where have you been?”)

After that Aidan discovered that somebody had got him a very nice fishing rod and reel for Christmas…

(Picture: An appreciative little face)

After all the present opening finally finished (far too much everybody, we can give it a miss next year), then Granpa realised that something else had appeared outside.

(Picture: Aidan and his shiny new BMX)

The Bush

After that was all over we headed off into the bush. We followed a road that seemingly went nowhere for a considerable length of time. This really was, ‘Out in the sticks’.

Once we arrived, we were met by a bunch of friendly people with ice buckets to keep our beer & bourbon in and a plethora of amenities. The ladies were particularly taken by the toilet facilities.

(Picture courtesy of Sophie: The unisex toilet)

Aidan, as usual, made himself comfortable around the food that was available.

(Picture: Ow, ow, yow!)

Realising it was going to take some time to cook he set off on his new shiny BMX.

(Picture: Off-Road BMX riding)

(Picture courtesy of Sara: Bart enjoying the local beers)

Meanwhile Wade seemed oblivious to the goings on around him…

(Picture courtesy of Sophie: Uncle Wade testing the tenderness of the meat)

(Picture: The Bar)

The above picture shows the bar where (rumour has it) Nan spent quite a bit of her time. I personally don’t believe it in the slightest…

(Picture: “You never forget…”)

(Picture courtesy of Sophie: “…how tiring it can be!”)

(Picture: Cooking Mussels Kiwi-Style)

(Picture courtesy of Sara: Tchhh, some people just don’t like getting their photo taken)

(Picture courtesy of Sara: The kids all gathered around in bewilderment as Sophie told the story about the day that she broke nothing at all!)

Civilisation

After all that we headed back to civilisation to meet Aaron and Laura who drove up from Auckland with their pet shop for a couple of days in sunny Russell.

Why is it that the return journey never takes as long as it does on the outward bound leg? It appears to have something to do with your subconscious having no idea how long it is going to take to get there so decides to stretch it out as much as it can. The return journey is different though. Is it because your mind knows how far you travelled? Does it recognise turns in the road, certain trees, bumps, landmarks? Does your brain keep telling you to continue when you recognise a scenario? Does it slow down when it doesn’t? If anybody is aware of the definitive answer then please leave a comment.

Anyway. What the hell is this?

(Picture: Nan’s ball of wool started panting)

Christmas Day was finished off by drinking some more, and some more, then a little more.

All in all, a good day.