With me no longer in full-time paid employment, and Rupert self-employed and needing a real break from running two careers simultaneously, we have granted ourselves a month's holiday period.
It is summer, and this country offers acres and acres of open space and miles of empty beaches. So, once Pete had arrived safely from the UK, we set off with trailer in tow to the Coromandel peninsula for a few nights under canvas.
A second visit to the department of conservation camp site at Jackson Bay did not disappoint. With not an electric light to be seen, the night sky is a carpet of stars, and any sound of humanity is softened by the continuous sigh (and occasional roar) of the sea. A stand pipe provides water, and the simple toilets and cold showers (not so bad when the weather is good) keep camping pretty civilised. Rupert took the soft option and heated his shower bag with solar energy. Still, considering it has taken 24 years to persuade him to camp, he is doing pretty well.
Returning for final shopping before travelling to Auckland (one of the few places where the traffic can slow to a jam), was a bit of a shock, but well worth it for the delights of Christmas with an almost 4 and a 5-year old. A clever distraction into the world of Charlie and the Chocolate factory on Christmas Eve evening transported them temporarily and, having prepared everything earlier, they collapsed into bed still dreaming of the Oompah Loompahs. It took several minutes on Christmas morning before it was remembered what day it was. And the delight and excitement was palpable. The spontaneous appreciation of such simple gifts from this mystery visitor was so refreshing. How long can such sentiments withstand the materialistic age in which they, alas all too soon, will grow older?
This was a Christmas with enough to make it recognisable as such, but with plenty to make it different. Barbecued leg of lamb, fresh summer veggies and fruits, as well as a traditional Christmas pud, even a few crackers; but then off for a summer's evening stroll along the shore and fun on the water's edge and in the rock pools, before returning for a board game back at the Chilberto homestead.
Boxing Day began in full warm sun, so it was off for a full day on the beach in the Tawharanui Coastal Reserve, just an hour or so north of the city. Clear clean waters, and restrictions on human activity in order to protect the marine life resulted in very little to disturb the simple pleasure of sun, sand and sea, despite the fact that, by New Zealand standards, it was quite busy.
Rupert and I are returned to Hamilton and enjoying some quiet pottering days, fixing this and that in house and garden, before preparations begin for the foray over to the Eastern Bay of Plenty for a family holiday, but this time in two tents!
Happy New Year!