A quick update!

I spent this past weekend up in Hawke's Bay area (East coast of the North Island, about 4 hours drive from Wellington). Bart drove, I deejayed and did my best to fulfill co-pilot responsibilities like supplying snacks and beverages and not falling asleep!

Napier wasn't exactly what I had expected. In 1931 it was levelled by a huge earthquake and so everything was built up in Art Deco style. So here I was, romantically imagining EVERYTHING looking, well, Art Deco, not touched at all by the hands of time or 'progress'. I'd seen photos of "Art Deco Weekend" in February, with everyone dressed up in period costume wearing pearls and flapper skirts and so on. So it wasn't quite what I'd imagined, there were some beautiful buildings but of course they were interspersed with lots of shops and things that tended to water down the effect of the Art Deco City that I had imagined... I realized now that I didn't actually take any photos, which probably means I didn't see anything that really took my breath away.

On Saturday night we tried to cook Bart's granny dinner but of course being a Grandma she basically did everything while we tried to help. Roast beast and yorkshire puds, YUM!

On Sunday I got toured around some of Hawke's Bay, to a few GORGEOUS beaches, Ocean Beach and Waimarama (even if it wasn't sunny it was beautious). Next we took the easy way up, driving to the top of Te Mata peak - which I thought was called Tomato Peak. Damn Maori language messing me up all the time, making me look like a fool! Haha! OF COURSE it *sounds* like Tomato so really, cut me some slack!

Anyway, it was a lovely weekend away. It's been so nice to be a bit settled in Wellington but I haven't been having adventures every day anymore so it was nice to get out of town for a few days and see some new sights!

Here are some photos.

It's so funny getting ready for Christmas here. I've done all my shopping, there isn't a flake of snow on the ground and I haven't smelled any gingerbread and probably won't! Mum has to send me the recipe for Auntie Phil's almond crescents so I can at least do a bit of baking and try and get in the holiday spirit! This week I got to read a Kiwi jingle Bells with some kids which was hilarious, here's a version of the Kiwi Night Before Christmas for your enjoyment. Might only be amusing if you're 5, or from New Zealand, but I think it's funny! So, I leave you with this....

xoxo
Vanessa~*

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all round the bach
Not a possum was stirring; not one could we catch.
We'd left on the table a meat pie and beer,
In hopes that Santa Claus soon would be here.

We children were snuggled up in our bunk beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie, and Dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports

When outside the bach such a hoo-ha arose,
I woke up at once from my wonderful doze.
I ran straight to the sliding door, looking about,
Jumped out on the deck,and let out a shout!

The fairy lights Dad had strung up around the door
Let me see everything down to the shore.
And what did I see, when I took a peep?
But a miniature tractor and eight tiny sheep.

With a little old driver, his dog on his knee.
I knew at once who this joker might be.
He patted his dog, and in a voice not unkind,
Cried "Good on ya, boy! Now, GIT IN BEHIND!

"Now,Flossy! now,Fluffy! now Shaun and Shane!
On, Bossy! on, Buffy! on, Jason and Wayne!
Up that red tree, to the top of the bach!
But mind you don't trample the vegetable patch."

So up on the roof those sheep quickly flew,
With the tractor of toys, Santa and his dog too.
As my sister awoke and I turned around,
In through the window he came with a bound.

He wore a black singlet and little white shorts,
And stuck on his feet were gumboots of course;
A sackful of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a postie just opening his pack.

His eyes-bright as paua shell-oh, how they twinkled!
Like an old tuatara, his skin was all wrinkled!
He had a wide face and a round, fat tummy,
That looked like he'd eaten lots that was yummy.

He spoke not a word, but got down on one knee,
And placed a cricket set under the tree,
A present for Sis,one for Dad,one for Mum,
Then he turned and he winked and held up his thumb.

He jumped on his tractor, to his dog gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, as fast as a missile.
I called out "Thanks," as he flew past the gate.
He called back: "Gidday to all, and good on ya, mate"