I would like to put up photos of Christmas and our holiday to New Zealand, but I can't. On our way to NZ, Andrew's backpack was stolen - we lost the camera and our iPod plus a few other things. That camera travelled through Peru and the US with us (not to mention more mundane places), and took at least a couple of thousand photos. Sod's law meant that I didn't pay for the tickets, so we weren't covered by my automatic travel insurance. Sigh.
Anyway, we stayed in a staggeringly beautiful place (pics from their site). Despite some shortcomings in the accommodation and the management, it was lovely. We walked, we ate, we read books, we kayaked. Most of us immersed ourselves in the freezing water (about fifteen degrees, I think) at least once. Well, I went in once. My brother insisted on swimming regularly. Freak. My mother and stepfather wimped out.
I particularly enjoyed the lack of television, radio and computers. It was more challenging for Andrew (media junkie) and the kids, but Hol and Phoebe learned to play poker (tea bags for chips) and pool, so that kept them moderately entertained. My mother taught all and sundry how to prepare fantastic meals from what might look, to the unitiated, like leftovers.
We spent two days in Wellington on the way back. I'd been told by various people that it is a cool city, but I had my doubts. It is New Zealand, after all. Well, I take it back. We loved it. Small, picturesque, funky, full of bookshops and great places to eat and drink.
And now we're back, ready for another year ...
