Christmas

Tigs, Kaz and Banks as we set off on our road trip north
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Expecting a fair bit of traffic on the road, being Christmas eve, Karen and I made an early break north from Wellington.  We had to make a stop off in Levin to shower, repack the car, and collect Ali, Banks and Tigs, before continuing north.

The Levin stop off quickly swung from a brief stop to a few hours when Ali and Banks failed to emerge from their overnight hike in the hills at the stated time.  Initially we were annoyed at them for being late, then we started to laugh about it, then we got a little worried (NZ bush is not a place you want to be lost).  On dads advice, after they were now about three hours late, I made a call to the NZ Police to put them on standby that a situation may soon evolve.  I was then contacted by a Search and Rescue volunteer who took a lot of details.  When I explained the walk Ali and Banks were on, and the time they had expected to be out he virtually laughed and asked "are you sure they didn't mean 7am tomorrow?"  No, I informed him, they had definitely meant today, to which he informed me they were having a laugh and had just been a bit overconfident on their speed walking ability.  This quickly eased the tension in the room, and laughter soon broke out when I was informed if they weren't out by 3pm a chopped was going to be called in to look!  Andy C was especially loving it.

Christmas morning (Santa didn't need a chimney this year!)
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A couple of hours before the chopper deadline we received a text from Ali that they were "out", much to Andy's disappointment.  We all raced out to pick them up and soon found a rather battered and worn out twosome sitting on some wet packs.  Ali to this day insists they were never lost, much to banks protests, but  to be honest I have to side with Ali, if you know where you are on the map, you're not lost!  Turns out they were a victim to some very poor signage in the bush, and to the fact a hut they were heading for to stay in no longer exists!  It had been a cool night under the stars in possum country for them!

Ali and Bank's pool side bed
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About 7 hours later than anticipated we finally got on the road for the long drive north to some promised blue skies and warmer weather.  The roadtrip was a lot of fun, with the highlight being the last hour when Ali grabbed some BP 'back seat driver' cards.  Ali and Tigs had a epic game of bingo with Tigs running out the eventual winner and Ali forfeiting to be her "drinks bitch" for Christmas day.

Karen and I spent Christmas eve snugly, on a mattress in a cozy two-man tent pitched next to the pool house.  We were woken early by the rustle of "santa" outside leaving a couple of stockings for us (gone are the days when Santa would visit about midnight... santa is now older and asleep before us "children")

Kaz and Gus - a year engaged
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Once the sleep was wiped away from our eyes Karen and I raced through opening our stocking presents eagerly.  Stockings have always been my favourite part of Christmas presents as it was the only time as children we could go mental and open everything at once.

Christmas day was lots of fun.  We spent it with my family, Caree and banks, Big Elspeth and her kids and some of her nieces who were visiting from scotland.  After a refreshing morning run, in order to kick the day off in style some of us jumped in the spa, and very briefly the indoor pool (which had a broken heating pump so was full of very cold water).  There's nothing quite like sipping back on a Monteiths summer ale, while sitting in a spa, on a Christmas morning!  Everyone took turns through the day on Jamie's new Nintendo Wii, flailing their arms around looking like complete tools, but having a great time in the process.  Over the course of the day board games came out, beers were drunk, and a feast was eaten.  We also watch a movie, a great NZ one called 'Event 16' which just happens to co-star the fantastic up and coming actor, Julian White!

Kaz and a stocking toy Ali got
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Boxing day brought with it some hot sunshine and super strong NZ UV rays (I had rather red arms to prove it!).  We cruised over the bridge to Mt Maunganui to sit on the beach and watch some athletes partake in a fun run up the mount.  That evening we got a table tennis tournament going with everyone being paired up randomly.  Jamie and Karen gave a commendable showing, but didn't quite have what it takes to beat my partner and I.  We ran out eventual winners.  The losers you ask... was it mum and big elpy?... No!  In a surprising turn of events Ali and Banks took the wooden spoon with not one victory.  Thats right, mum beat Ali at table tennis!  Turns out pigs do fly.

Asics were certainly a poular choice
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Karen and I had another chilled day on the Wednesday.  We wandered the shops of Tauranga and struck gold (da-dum-dum-dum-chee!) when we found a wedding ring for me!  That night we went to see Borat, which ended up being my movie of the holiday, a complete 5-star beauty!

On the 28th it was mums birthday.  We took through some presents to her early morning, and then two car loads of us "kids" set off for the mount for a morning walk to the summit.  Later that morning Ali and I attempted to play some tennis with some warehouse racquets and balls.  However, we quickly remembered that tennis, like most sports, can only be truly enjoyed with gear of a decent standard.  Everyone enjoyed some wine midmorning at the Mills Reef winery, and embarrassed mum by singing happy birthday to her.

team Asics
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That night we all went for a low-key dinner at a fish and chip shop on the water front, something Karen and I were very happy about as in Japan we often find ourselves missing the simple foods, like fish and chips, on a friday night.  I am happy to report the food was top notch, the shop even had vinegar on hand for us to drench our chips in, yummy!