Ohope Beach, Here at Home

We're here back at home in Ohope Beach, Bay of Plenty, NZ. For chrimbo  as they call it here. Weather came good for the Big Visit, wetting rain changed to sun so boiling I had to cover my Donatella tan with that very unattractive white sunslap. D not best pleased.

Mum and Dad's house

Mum and Harley, Jackson and Cy and Poppi dog.

Mum's back patio

Trifle in fridge, all is right with world

I'm doing this on the bloggerapp so please forgive spelling misteaks.

The NZ "Christmas Tree" the Pohukutukawa are out in force with red blooms. Kevin and Jackson have bad allergies from them, poor things.  Can't please everone when you're a bloomin' tree these days. 

We went on a 12 mile hike (tramp they call it here) which was brutal as i've done almost no exercise since I returned from the Camino three months ago... 

Me, Kevin and Pietra starting out

Kids did half of it...with just a soupcon of complaints

We boated out to Whale Island which used to be barren and chockfull of rats and rabbits, now beautifully green haven for Kiwis birds, which lets face it with their not flying, must have been at the pub when the survival genes were handed out. Cute little buggers though. 

Only a few years ago there was only eight Kiwis in this area, now there are 300. 

At one point Sylvester Stallone wanted to purchase Whale Island for a casino. Oh Sly. 

Dad and Pietra on the PeeJay's catamaran on the way out. 

Here, niece Leah and I looking at the grey seals, which apparently are incredibly stanky close up, but magical to watch at this distance.

There's so much thermal activity that if you dig a hole in the sand it fills with toasty-toe warm water.

Climbed to the top of the hill and looked down and thought poetic thoughts as you do when you're on holiday.

Then we went to cut down a Christmas tree at our little pine tree farm we have in the backblocks ( yes, call me Mrs christmas).

Me, Sharon and Jackson

To the victor the (small) spoils

And we also dug some spuds (potatoes) for dinner. Dad has a vege garden out there, though the birds are getting the better of him, sounds like. 

We have a talent  for picking trees which have personality but would not fetch the highest bid in a lot...

See what I mean? This one was particularly vertically challenged and Mum had to tether it to the Grandfather clock. Imbibing early for New Years? The tree, not Mum. 

Mum made a cracking good baked ham and Dad carved. 

Tallulah, Leah and I made a pilgrimage that really cheeoice store down the road, Ruby Dunes. We just stood there and said "so nice" which is pronounced 'noice' if you're wondering...

Very happy that sister Sharon is wearing dresses that lay fallow in my wardrobe. She wore the triangular Tracy Reece frock to work and Tracy got to read the radio news and do some reporting so she was well employed.

Well that's all for now... What are your plans for The Big Day?  Meri Kirihimere to you and your whanau ( fam).

Arohanui. With love, my friends.