Christmas in NZ - not a bad way to do it

Posted on Wednesday 26 December 2007 at 10:26 - Post Comment

So, there we go.  Our first Christmas in Nz is done and dusted, and after all the preparation and excitement it went off without a hitch.  Feelings of sadness about not being with family were soon banished with numerous phone calls and web-chats with all those in the UK over the 2 days of festivities.

After a busy Christmas Eve where both T and I needed to tie off a few loose ends present wise, we were sat in the lounge watching a film.  I then realised that I had yet to sing a carol or do anything remotely religious (apart from praying at the Alter of Consumerism at the mall all week!) and remembered that the church up the road was holding a midnight mass.  So, we quickly chucked on our shoes and headed 2 blocks up the road to the Latimer Square Anglican Church.  An enthusiastic vicar and rousing congregation soon had me feeling Christmasy, and it was a good way to welcome in Christmas Day.

When we got home at around 12.30am, we called T's family to wish them a Happy Christmas Eve, and opened a present each from our stocking to give a little 'taster' of the day yet to come.  I got a bike drinks bottle holder and bottle from T, and she got a Hello Kitty calendar.  Both happy little bunnies, we headed to bed to await a visit from Father Christmas.

7am and we wake up to a beautiful sunny day and quickly head downstairs to open our stockings full of pressies that had miraculously (ahem) appeared overnight.  After suitable glee, we both were sat amidst a confetti of wrapping paper and lots of chocolate, sweets, underwear and such like, grinning like idiots.

It was then time to leave the 'big' presents for later, and head off for breakfast with Brent and Katherine, who had invited us along to share a bottle of breakfast bubbly along with some grub.  BBQ'd grub of course! 

We had a great time, and they put on a fantastic fry/ grill up for us which smelt and tasted gorgeous - a great way to start the day.  We then had remote control car races (a present of Brent's), as is only right and proper on Christmas morning.

After saying our goodbyes we got home for around 11.30 and it was time for the proper presents.  Amidst much excitement we finally sat there with our gifts.  T had got me a wet suit, a body surfing float, goggles, ear plugs and a nose-clip so that I can enjoy body surfing and swimming in the sea for longer this summer, as well as a back-pack with a water bladder for cycling and mountainbiking. 

From me T got an artists easel to help her with starting her creation of priceless masterpieces, and give me the retirement I deserve, along with CD's books and DVD's etc to sweeten it all up a bit. 

Then it was time to get straight down to the beach to try out all my garb!  Despite looking as fat as a black pudding in my 'shortie' (meaning that it has short arms and legs) wetsuit, I was soon in the water and loving it.  In fact it was 1.5 hrs later that I emerged, tired but brilliantly happy with my gifts - cheers wife!  Caution: If you are distressed by pictures of beached whales, do not scroll down

Overall, the weather was fantastic and we had a great time there - it was so weird to be at the beach in the hot, bright sunshine knowing all in the UK were tuckied up in bed.  Still, no regrets right then I can tell you as I knew where I'd rather have been.

We got back home at around 3, then relaxed in the sunshine on T's new sun lounger (another pressie from me) whilst listending to a bit of music and sinking a couple of drinks.  Rumbles from my tum indicated that it was a while since we'd eaten, and so operation Christmas Dinner was launched, with me on starters, veg and steak, and T dealing with all things chicken and roasted.  Why steak AND chicken?  Well as we were split on whether to eat BBQ or Roast for Crimbo dinner, we decided to do both - but to roast the chicken, and BBQ the steak - thus giving a nod to both the old Crimbo dinner in the UK, and the new Crimbo dinner of BBQ  here in NZ.  And it was blimmin gorgeous!

That evening, whilst we sat nursing our full bellies, we had a video web-chat with my sister and family all at her house having their Christmas Day breakfast.  It was SO good!  We saw our nieces open their presents, saw my mum and dad eating their very healthy grapefruit, and Nicola and James being the hosts to it all.  It was almost like sitting at the table with them there and then, and a great experience so thank you Sis for sorting that out, it was fantastic.

After the stunning weather of Christmas Day, Boxing Day was a bit of a wash out with heavy, squally rain from showers early morning onwards.  As T was intent on getting to the sales, I chose to stay home and do the house husband thing to tidy the place up.  Good job I did too, as T was soon on the phone saying that it was absolute mayhem!  The rain had driven everyone to the mall and the queues for anything were huge.  I felt smug.  A couple of hours later, T returns battered, bruised and hungry, and we have a great Boxing Day lunch of cold meats, cheese, and loads of bread and mayo - not super healthy, but it is Christmas ya know!

We then decided to knock the rest of the day and so just ate more crap, drank some beer and wine, and watched a load of films on telly.  Ahhhh... Just like it  should be .  Surprisingly, the weather did clear up for late afternoon and we got out and had a long walk to and through the park which was really nice.  Great to get some air too, as I felt really wooly from being inside all day.  Then it was home and to bed ready for work today.

Which brings me to right now.  I am at work in the City Office with another colleague and the place is absolutely dead. We've had three calls in the last 4 hours, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to write all this.  Oh, and guess what... the weather today is absolutely stunning - a real day for the beach.  Typical!  Ah well, at least I'm at work when it's quiet rather than flat out busy, and I'll be on hols in late Jan instead so it suits me.  This office is just so much better than our Industrial one - bigger, better appointed, and the desk I am sitting at gives me a clear view our onto Catherdral Square.  I reckon I'm gonna ask for a transfer!

I hope that you all had a great Christmas, and spent it with those that you love - if not in person, then in spirit.