Christmas 2025

The last blog looked forward to Jill arriving from Sydney for 3 weeks. Fortunately the weather was good for November and we were able to spend days out for visits, coffee and lunches. Highlight was travelling to Hamilton for lunch, chez Jessica and Jake's generous gift voucher.... thanks .

We have settled in well to our new abode and despite ground work below and the start of a build next door, we are very happy in our choice. To look out onto green fields and Mount Maunganui is incredibly calming.

December was quiet, which was just what was required, as we prepared for our trip to the South Island for Christmas. We flew from Tauranga to Christchurch on Friday 19th and were due home on the 29th December. Sadly, I had a dreadful Gastro bug on the last night, so we had to delay our return flight 24 hours and spend another night in the hotel in Christchurch. Fortunately, nil by mouth allowed us to return home on the 30th December.

Instead of two nights in Te Annau we spent Christmas Eve on Doubtful Sound, waking to dolphins swimming next to the boat. In Queenstown we met up with Sarah and Jo for Brunch and then coffee the following day at their house in Arrowtown, before heading off to Franz Josef. 

The slide show tells the story.

Click on slide show and play the MP3 file below..... Ed Sheeran and Elton John. Slide show lasts 3min 45 sec.

All there is to say now is that we rest up for a couple of months before the next trip to Australia. The first week in March is time away with Jill in Terrigal, then back to Sydney for 12 days, before heading out to Perth to stay with Karen Richards. More about that trip after Easter. Hope all is well with you.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2026.