Wednesday, December 31, 2014

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?

37 comments:

  1. More wonderful snippets from your Ohope Beach stay. Your kids do make me chuckle - that letter from Tallulah about Grandma and her stories ( that could be my mother and her tales too...'Heard that one before, Mother!).

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    1. The biggest mystery is when you say that to people and they keep plowing on with their story

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  2. It looks wonderful. Your family always looks so full of beans, the best kind of people. Such hilarious cards to Grandma!
    I love going home to the small town I grew up in (Amherstburg Ontario, right on the American border), it's very pretty and comfortable with nothing fancy about it. I tried to convince MrBP we should buy a house there on the lake for summers but he said no way, he finds it too small town I'm afraid.
    Happy New Year Jody! 2014 was certainly busy and productive for you and I hope 2015 brings you and your family joy and good health. xo

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    1. Sounds lovely Dani, perfect place to unwind. My friend says she spent half her life trying to get out of our small town and the second half trying to get back there to live. Happy New Year Dani!

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  3. Great post and can't imagine the feeling of growing up as you did in NZ and now living on the other side of the world and how home must feel after all that time away...I hope to read about it in the not too distant future.
    Your parents were a great looking young couple. I don't even like thinking about high school but had lots of friends and was always in the mix of things but yearned to get out into the world beyond but was entrenched socially it took about 5 years to break away....glad I did.
    Happy New Year Jody!

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    1. Sounds like you had many adventures when you did take off. Happy New Year GSL!

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  4. HNY, Jody! Lovely to see your pics! Your mum and dad are such a gorgeous couple!
    I have no family left in my hometown, so rarely go back - it's a small town just SE of London, but the area I spent my youth feels more like 'home'.... And I often go there when I'm back in the UK (Chelsea)

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  5. Lovely post. And the letters to Granma....priceless x

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    1. Hi there, loving your shopping rules today,esp don't buy things that you have to further shop for - that is my worst fault!

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  6. Best wishes to you all, it was my mums bday over holidays too so you know how you have to figure out how to make an extra effort so it doesn't get lost in the mix.

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    1. Loved hearing your plans on your blog today, that Cheshire house looks perfect for the Thud touch!

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  7. Nice family gathering! Beautiful pics. Your parents are great.
    My family moved every 2-3 years, so I really do not have a family home to go back to.. I do have friends all over the world. My 2015 resolution is to stay in better touch with my closest friends and my family. It seems life's challenges has kept me from this last year.

    All the best and Happy 2015 - Susan

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    1. Hi Susan, seeing friends and family such a good goal.

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  8. Happy New Year! Lovely too see the NZ photos (my kids remind me they are half kiwi!) Looks like a lovely family holiday and must be wonderful to be in the heat! All the best in 2015!

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    1. Get better soonest Jen - and Happy Birthday, jealous about the boots

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  9. Happy New Year Jody! There is so much that has made me laugh in this post. I really hope Cy's suncream was rubbed in though….!
    Happy Birthday to your mum, I'm sure she laughed too at the kids notes to her. Such pretty scenery in NZ, and loving the old house you stayed in. Very retro, as was the owner by the look of him.
    Re bullying, I went to a girls school, so I have always said I can spot a bitch a mile away. Seriously. I get a vibe on meeting someone, and just Know. It's quite handy. xxx

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    1. Yes or he'll have that tattooed into his back forever. HNY Heidi from across the seas

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  10. Oh it looks like you all had a wonderful holiday! The pictures are great.

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  11. We aussies own the invention rights to the good ol' pav and when you admit this we will be more than happy to return Russell Crowe. Actually, we are more than happy to return him either way but we would really like to keep Split Enz.

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    1. Heck is old Russell stiff around?
      Yes my husband feels the very same way, more about Four Seasons in One Day. Split Enz are geenyus.

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  12. Looks like you're having an incredible time, I get tired reading your post, and that was after having a B-12 shot.
    Happy New Year.

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    1. There was a lot of laying around too....to wit i watched the whole two seasons of House of Cards

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  13. Happy New Year...and yes, I do love going home to Liverpool.

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  14. Oh yes, Happy New Year my fabulous international friend! I always love seeing your adventures. I was in SF for NYE but you all had us beat by a long shot! Cheers to you and safe travels!
    xx

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  15. Jody,

    It was lovely to hear back from you! You're right, it's a different Pam pictured above than my beloved mentor at W.I.S. Since contacting you I've gotten in touch with the "right" Pam. How similar they look though!

    It's on my list to visit Ohope again...I hope our paths do cross!

    Cheers, Emily

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  16. Seems like your vacation was great! Thanks for sharing the photos with us. You look lovely! Love both rings too!

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  17. Great photos, and so active! I go to my home town twice a year as my mum still lives there. It's not particularly attractive, but it's got everything she needs, like free transport on the buses and tube, well-stocked town centre, proximity to London and almost a lifetime's worth of friends.

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    1. HI Sarah, hope you had a great Christmas in England with the fam!

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  18. ooh how fabulous it all looks...my home town is more about unemployment and high drug dependency.....pass the pavlova and happy new year!!

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