December 25th, 2005 - I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!

Christmas in New Zealand was outstanding! We spent a couple of days on a farm with Jane's fathers sisters home. Our hosts, Phillipa and Michael and their daughters Filicity and Caroline were all very hospitable and Mark and Christine (Jane's parents) were equally comforting. Although the house itself was full and Laure and I were forced into a tent on the back lawn, we couldn't have asked for a nicer view. Second only to Mike and Christine's Retirement home on Lake Taupo, the view was rolling hill after rolling hill covered with sheep. The property itself is owned by Phillipa and her husband, whereas they sublease most of the property to a farmer for the sheep and cattle raising. We had a nice barbeque and evening getting to know our hosts on Christmas eve and then turned in early for Christmas the next day after some excessive drinking all around.
After waking up Christmas morning on the ground since our air-matress had leaked the night before, Christmas day we were treated with more of the same hospitality. We spent most of the day playing Croquet while we waited for the rest of the Middleton family to arrive. Jeff, Jane and I explored the property and climed one of the taller summits to get a view of the area. Although not a very long trip chasing Jeff and Jane on mountain bikes as a jogged alongside turned out to be quite gruelling. The guests arrived and we were treated to ham, turkey, roast and more roast, with potatoes and salads all gormet quality. Although not quite mom's homecooked turkey on Christmas day, it was a close second and an excellent substitute. All in all, both Laure and I were very relieved to be sharing Christmas with family and were incredibly appreciative to all of those involved, Jeff, Jane, Mark, Christine, Phillipa, Michael, Filicity and Caroline. Jeff and Jane we spoilt with a camelback to make up for their unforgettable generosity in Yappoon and NZ. Mark and Christine some kiwi memorabilia since they are originally from NZ - socks and earrings (how were we to know that Christine doesn't have her ears pierced? oops :( ) and our fantastic host family a nice bottle of wine that we picked up at duty free.
The next day we departed early for Wellington, so as not to overstay our welcome and to catch our interislander ferry on the 27th. After a continental breakfast, I was treated to a brief motor bike lesson by Mark and then it was off just after the rest of the family returned for their planned day at the beach.