RED BULL !

I really don't know what to say.. there he was, in the field, chewing the cud, with a Santa hat on.. we really are on the other side of the world!
It's the Santa Parade this weekend - watch this space!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS !

As Christmas comes around again in our own land
It's time to be together, take each other's hand
A chance to share the good times in the summer sun
Another family holiday's begun

It's Christmas in New Zealand and the time is right
To say "I Love You," and to watch the stars at night
For barbecues and swimming out across the bay
How lovely to spend Christmas in the Kiwi way

There won't be any snow to make the land look white
The sun won't set down south 'til after 9 at night
You won't be needing furs or woolly hats and gloves
It's time for outdoor living in the land we love

Leave your work behind and have your holiday
And try to keep things simple on your Christmas Day
It's such a special time for having friends and family near
Another Kiwi Christmas time is here.

CHRISTMASSY BAKING !

Girls are in the kitchen baking Christmassy things today. We have cupcakes, gingerbread men (and ladies), chocolate chip cookies ...
Each girl has a recipe journal to record their successes in and we watch Gordon Ramsay on the telly once a week.
We've had some wonderful meals, courtesy of the girls .. long may it continue, and on with the baking!!



The Christmas cake has to be stirred by everyone and then the 10c coin goes in for the lucky finder!



We're thinking of you all across the seas as we soak up the sunshine! And we're practising our kiwi carols..
For our traditional Kiwi Christmas dinner, temperatures allowing, we'll be having glazed ham and turkey with roast potatoes, pumpkin, kumara, onions and cloves of garlic.
However, Christmas tends to be a summery, warm, sunny day affair, so if it's really hot it'll be a Christmas Day picnic at the beach.
If you spread out your tartan rug by the fire, you can pretend to be here.
You'll need to have a range of gourmet breads & homemade humous, guacamole and dukkah, a fresh green salad with homemade bread,quiche or bacon and egg pie; wash it down with an ice-cold fruit punch made with lime, apple and feijoa juice.



For dessert, as well as the traditional Christmas cake and steamed Christmas pudding,tuck into Pavlova topped with fresh kiwifruit or strawberries or a lemon and mango cheesecake.
Later on in the day nibble on fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and boysenberries with vanilla ice cream at about tea time, and papaya glazed with sugar and topped with sliced almonds, orange zest and yoghurt.

GIRLS ON THE ROCKS !

The weather was hot, the black volcanic sand burnt our feet (that's why surfers always run to the water, I reckon!) and the waves were up! Piha was the only place to be on such a day! The lifeguards were out in force and the rip tides visible.


Surf's up !

The beach was dotted with brightly coloured towels and sunbathers. After picnicking the girls and I decided that it was time they too, climbed Lion Rock, to the top.


Lion Rock beckons

So far, only Greg and I had done this. It's a steep climb but worth it for the views (the last blog on Piha was about my maiden journey up this very Rock)


Girls at the bottom steps


The ascent begins

As you can see, there's just a piece of rope hammered into the Rock.


Half-way views


Pause for breath


Spot the pohutukawa

The pohutukawas are just beginning to flower on the Rock.


Flowering flax and the view


Three quarters of the way there


At the top!


At the Guardian of the Rock

ON THE BOAT !

Out on our boat today, which still remains nameless since we won't give in to the girls and call it the 'Black Pearl' ...
We've seen some good names too -
A Little Nauti
About Time
One More Toy
Alibi
Happy Berth Day
Dunnworkin
Sotally Tober
My Pride & Toy
Livaliddle
Pier Pressure
So, we need suggestions!



We went out past Rangitoto and up to Snapper Rock. Anchored, had lunch and set the fishing rods up - snapper for dinner again!



Greg is getting quite good at this now - sending him on the Fishing Safari is paying dividends... home for a chilled bottle of Chardonnay, Sophia cooked snapper with lemon and garlic and salad from the garden.. this is the life!!



We'll have to start naming the snapper; like Gordon Ramsay does with his pigs (before they become sausages!)

KIWI CAROLS !

Now Sticky Beak the kiwi, that bird from way down under
He's caused a great commotion and it isn't any wonder
He's notified old Santa Claus to notify the deer
That he will pull the Christmas sleigh in the southern hemisphere.

Lots of toys for girls and boys load the christmas sleigh
He will take the starlight trail along the milky way.
Hear the laughing children as they shout aloud with glee:
'Sticky Beak, Sticky Beak, be sure to call on me.'

Now every little kiwi, and every kangaroo, too,
The wallaby, the weka, and the platypus and emu,
Have made themselves a Christmas tree with stars and shining bright,
So Sticky Beak will see the way to guide the sleigh tonight.

Now Sticky Beak the kiwi, that Maori-land dictator,
Will not allow Rudolph's nose this side of the equator
So when you hear the sleighbells ring you'll know that he's the boss,
And Sticky Beak will pull the sleigh beneath the Southern Cross.

CANDY CANES !

Only one month until Christmas! We have candy canes over here, but with the usual difference, of being giant!