A true kiwi family Christmas

After two wonderful weeks around Auckland and the Northland I bid a sad farewell to Hannah and Gareth and headed South to say a happy hello to Palmerston North. My Aunt Sue after marrying Bob emigrated to New Zealand over 30 years ago, since then they have made the country their home having 4 children (my cousins !) who now have families or their own (my second cousins... I think !?) I was soon to realise how wonderful it is to be part of such a big close family especially during the festive season... I had a sense of having missed out all these years. It also hit me that I actually have more family ties in New Zealand than I do in the UK ! I was welcomed with a big family dinner on the first evening which was to be followed by many more.

I have very fond memories of my time in Palmerston North too many to recall here. Bonding with my cousins and realising which family traits we share was a highlight...the sarcasm with Rob, the wicked sense of humor and giggle with Pete, love of shopping with Robyn and a general outlook on life with Jo.

A first pint with Aunt Sue in the local "British" pub

Snuggling with macca the dog and Sushi the cat by the fire side

Meeting the kids at the park for the annual end of school Xmas picnic was fun !
Happy times are had at the Hodgson house on the very comfortable garden deck

Robyn, me and Jo in front of the new spa on the new deck at Robbies place (Robyns Boyfriend)

(Below) me in the spa after much wine... just prior to the camera going swimming ...

Tyler and Ben...how gorgeous !

Hannah and I enjoyed getting all arty in the garden with some creative photography !

Jo and I, a happy snap on the stroke of midnight happy 2008 ! Yes...Very drunk !
Ben on the giant mouse wheel...loads of fun !

Hannah and the Christmas Whale in the pool

A Xmas day family photo from left to right Hannah, Conner, Jo Ben, Meridy, Sue, me, (back row Left to right Matt, Bob, Rob and Pete. Christmas day was spent at Sue and Bobs then over to Jo and Matt's opening presents along the way...a big Xmas dinner of BBQ and salads and mutton ham went down well with lindaur wine and beer !

Pete celebrates Xmas morning with 4 pints of beer in the one glass !

Toasting marshmallows on Xmas day evening

Little Ben plays with fire...

On boxing day I headed off with Rob and Meridy for some time in and around Wellington which is currently running as my favourite city in the world. They have just bought and moved into a very nice home which we spent time around looking at paint samples and deliberating on which trees to test the chain saw on ! Meridy and i enjoyed a very hard day at the spa having massages and facials (a lovely Xmas gift!) whilst Rob got stuck into the DIY...its a hard life !

A sunset stroll with Rob to the top of the hill behind Robs new place

Spending the first time with all my New Zealand family together in the same place at the same time and being Christmas and New Year made it really special and fun time. I loved being around my younger family Hannah, Conner, Ben and Tyler who made Christmas so exciting, fun and very special for me. Being with family and close friends in New Zealand has given me a time of real reflection. Feeling safe and being able to truly relax gave after the lone travel gave me some much needed thinking space in preparation of all the readjustment in the UK to come. A big thank you to the Hodgson and Baas tribes for making me feel welcomed and instantly part of the family and for the food, beds, beer, wine, Xmas gifts but most of all memories. I have never been so sad to leave a place.

As I write at Auckland airport on new years day its only 1 month until UK reality bites, a cold winter and working again...well best not to think about that now...after all I have another three countries to go...

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!