Family - awesome. Great seeing them all and everyone is in great form. Chanel had a wonderful rock on her finger, and has set a date for her wedding. December 18th 2010. Bridesmaid - moi. yep. Alby was in classic form, and tried his hardest to get Denis drunk - achieved somewhat too. Matt was great, and towards the end of the holiday rang to inform me that he finally dropped a knee and threw a ring on Launa's finger. Happy times all round, yet to hear of the date for their wedding. Another trip home.
The Nevsters 60th - awesome. Pre holiday I was unsure as to how family dynamics would work with ALL of us together for the first time in perhaps 4 years, plus additions of partners and the like. Worked surprisingly well, and was heaps of fun. Dad had plenty of drinking partners, and mum had plenty of coffee partners. It seemed to work. The day of Dad's birthday was nice with a family breakfast and a few presents given. Got the moustache moving a little, and a hint of a smile. For the evening we had drinks, and then went out for dinner. Nevster was his quiet usual self, but I can't help but wonder if he was just a little bit emotional.
Australian Weather - far from awesome. When we flew out from Heathrow it was snowing. Our thoughts were somewhere along these lines "It's gonna be so hot in Aussie, and so sunny. I can't wait to get a tan, and stop being so sickly white" The actual weather went somewhere along these lines: Day 1 - blue skies and sunny. Day 2 - Tropical storm comes through, absolutely pours with rain. Day 3 - Storm still present, also very windy. Day 4 - No change. Day 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 -It has now been named the 100 year Storm, and floods major parts of Queensland. Day 10 - Clearing with sunny periods, some clouds and wind.
NZ Scenery - There is nothing like home. There is nothing like Napier on a sunny day. There is nothing like the winding roads that wrap along the coast line in New Zealand. There is nothing like Pohutakawa trees hanging over the sand or coastal road in the afternoon sun. There is nothing like coastal bush walks with stunning cliff top views. There is nothing like climbing over rocks on beaches in the Coromandal. There is nothing like the cruise through the Marlborough Sounds on the InterIslander (or Denis throwing up on it). There is nothing like sunny evenings in the backyard at Mum and Dads place. Home was bliss. There is nothing like it.
