Living the Dream... in New Zealand!

We sure do live the dream on our visit back to New Zealand for Christmas 2008 and January 2009.

On arrival on 23 December 2008 we are made very comfortable for a big sleep by Matt and Catherine in their recently completed award winning home in Grafton, Auckland. Getting to know Elliot, now almost a year old is a delicious experience which we both savour. She is a real character.

Christmas morning starts with us feasting on delicious breakfast a la Ann Louise, then opening our Xmas presents with all the family, especially including the best macaroons from Paris sent by Emily. This is followed by Xmas Dinner at Steve and Deb’s home in Remuera, who put on a great day with the turkey and all the trimmings, then Xmas pudding made by Margaret, dripping with brandy sauce, served outside in the sunshine. The Xmas Tree Game is the usual riot with everyone competing for the most popular goodies … the bottle of Jack Daniels and the Fireman’s calendar! We immerse ourselves in the wonderful catch-up we are having with everyone.

Baby Marco’s naming ceremony and New Year celebrations beckon and we drive south from Auckland to Lakes Taupo and Tarawera, gasping in wonder as we drive over the hill and are confronted by Lake Taupo stretching out below us and snow capped, majestic Mt Ruapehu in the distance sparkling blue and white in the sunshine.

At Lake Tarawera we are treated to native tuis hanging off tall flax flowers with their beaks deep in the nectar, kingfisher and morepawk calling, several walks in the bush where our impressions are of the sound of rushing tumbling water as we round a corner, the smell of damp bush, slippery nikau palm fronds, sunshine and rain. We have wonderful rides speeding across the lake in the boat and Richard bags a trout at last for Claudie and Pete. Soon after celebrating New Year with Terry and Diana and enjoying their wonderful hospitality, we are heading back to Auckland - past fields of corn and jersey cows swishing their tails, for a few days and time to catch up with Pippy’s mother who despite being very disabled has made it to NZ from her home in Australia for the third time this year. She sure sets an amazing example and Pippy bids her farewell with sadness until we meet again. We now head west of Auckland to the lush green rolling countryside and magnificent new home for people and horses, of Gabrielle and Richard our sailing mates from way back. Capn Buck has a go on the ride-on lawn mower and we can’t get him off it until all the lawns are finished. He has found a new vocation!

More special treats are in store as we go north to Christian Bay under the pohutukawa trees on the shores of the large stretch of water known as Kawau Bay…. So many of our memories linger here and it is a very special part of the world to us. We walk to the top of the hill overlooking Tawharanui Beach and campsite on the Takatu Peninsular and take in the spectacular views stretching across to Little Barrier Island. This really is New Zealand at its very best. Our time with Jonathan, Juliet, Pip, Greg, Debbie and extended family and friends is reminiscent of so many special gatherings we have enjoyed over the years.

Back to Auckland and we spend a few short days touching base with Rupe and Kristin in Freemans Bay, and Pippy's daughter Amee joins us for a fleeting visit from Australia, then before we know it, it is time for the most important event of all, the wedding of Sarah and Stephan. We move over to Greg and Debbie’s stylishly renovated villa in Ponsonby and go to the wedding together. The marriage of these two young people with such strong family bonds sets the stage for a joyous celebration of the hopes for the future and memories of the past of these two families. We are privileged to be there to share the day.

As if this is not enough we also find time, thanks to the driving/organising team of John and Pam, to catch up with the elusive sailors Noel and Kerrin on board Matrix and cruise the waters from Opua south to Tutukaka over 3 magical days of perfect sailing weather, wining, dining, swimming, rum induced reminiscing and laughter. We visit Whangaruru, Mimiwhangata and Whale Bay – all jewels of the north island north east coast.

Down to business as the last 2 weeks are dedicated to Richard doing on-the-water preparation with Mike of Gulf Wind Sailing Academy and subsequently being examined for his RYA/MCA Yacht Master Offshore Certificate. We both follow up with a 2-day outdoor first aid course. The use of Rupert’s High Octane and the support of all the ‘dumb’ crew helps Richard to pull this off with the exception of one last navigational exercise which is completed just two hours before we leave for the airport!

We say our goodbyes to all, especially Nicci and Anthony, Matt and Catherine, both expecting additions to their families in the next few months. Pippy has already seen her ‘little Martian’ first grand child on the screen in a very exciting and special moment.

We cannot put into words our thanks for the wonderful experience we have had in New Zealand, - the loan of the car by Lib and 87th birthday-boy Skip, to all the hospitality and special times we have shared with everyone.

We leave New Zealand (with difficulty as our E-ticket does not appear to be in the system) boarding the flight 10 minutes before we roll out for takeoff, en route to Kos Island, Greece where our boat is wintering over, via Hong Kong, Moscow, Istanbul and Marmaris … but that is another story!!!