A New Year

Not skiting, but here in Ohope Beach we were first to see in 2015. Technically true as we are the easternmost place in the world. Actioned a spot of gold top from Giarda Forte for the ocassion...

I've always loved a pop o glitter. I fear these are flypoop in this photo...either that or i had some strange freckles

It was Mum's 76th birthday on Boxing Day which is the day after Christmas here, so called because back in ye olde mothercountry the gentry would box up gifts for the servants. Probably re-gifting. Here is Madeleine 54 years ago...

And today...(Dad looks happier after 53 years married)

Mum and her friend Pam with grandaughters 

Christmas Day was bright and wondrous and turkey co-operated.

We just did a $30 secret santa, jax was happy with his hat...as the priest said the two wise men must have been miffed at the wise man who bought gold, exceeding the agreed secret santa price

We've eaten loads... Including carrots in condoms as a friend calls vege spring rolls.

You always get a lolly with your latte here, non fat milk is called trim here which makes it sound very sportif i feel.

Mind you if you are a cream lover and this writer is, people line up all over the countryside for a whiff of this cream. Apparently school kids "wag" (skive off) the last period of school to get in line to buy it to put over their cornies or weetabix. 

Mum threw caution to the wind and purchased a store bought Pavlova.. Not sure if this was supposed to be public. Pavlovas were invented by Kiwis after the Russian dancer Anna Pavlova. 

Dad's friend Crash brought around his smoked Kingfish. Good? Bloody Oath.

There was a spot of purchasing from Linda at my other fave Ohope store, Art4Art Sake.

I bought this for the rope chest..think it will go??

Have not taken these rings off

We went mountain biking in the Redwoods at Rotorua, a stinky town with eggy geysers. I rode Mum's bike which is  addled with rust and i'm sure was used in the French Resistance.

Eating ham sambos

Then we drove to Minginui to cycle some more.. It's a tiny place and ages from anywhere and beautiful but poor in many parts so quite sad. Some of the furniture and appliances at Minginui Lodge where we stayed was from the 50's and 60's but not in a self conscious way. Still works so yeah all good said owner Garry. 

Garry the owner shows us the old stove. Mostly five day trampers (hikers) and wild pig hunters up this way. Not good to be tramping during The Roar. (The season)

The house down the road..,

The little church and the marae.

Kids at Galatea, further up the road.

New Years' I saw friends from more than 40 (!) years ago. Friend David had organised a 3rd Form ( high school freshman) reunion recently which I could not make. A lot of people told him they didn't like high school but they loved the reunion. I was okay with the classes but there was some horrible bullying which was pretty scarring. How did you survive high school?

We did a spot of kayaking around the inner habor to see the 800 year old Pohutukawas and the kids tried paddle boarding.

Phew that was a lot. I forgot to make resolutions....what about you?

Goodbye Ohope Beach, I'll miss you. Do you like to go back to your hometown?