December 19th, 20th and 21st.. A Whirlwind Weekend

It was a whirlwind weekend. Friday wasn't too bad, but I did work. What's wrong with that you say? Well usually at this time of year no one is booking travel and it really is a time to sit and pick my nose and contemplate my belly button. But not so on Friday. Only one photo was taken, and it is of the departing storm clouds (well I thought they were departing, but bad weather returned Saturday with a vengeance)

On Saturday morning, my body went into total shock syndrome. I woke it up AND got out of bed at 5:00am. George is used to early starts, but not me - or Minnie for that matter. We were heading up to Algies Bay - which is about a 2 hr 20 minute drive away, and above Auckland city on the East Coast. Our reason for heading there? Our wonderful friends from their farm near Laurel, Montana, US are enjoying the NZ (what is supposed to be) Summer again. It was so lovely to see them and this visit, we decided to make the most of their stay and get up earlier then the birds to spend time with them. To say we had a wonderful day is an understatement!

This is what a 5am start resembles (for my own record as this is not a common occurrence!!)

Greg & Leslyn at Algies Bay original Post Office (note it was originally called Mullet Point)

Two Wonderful People at a Wonderful Location

Local Oysters harvested by Greg & Leslyn themselves - guess what we enjoyed on the BBQ as a mid afternoon snack - and brought home with us. Oink Oink!

Time to drive home and try and get home before dark. It is still Xmas lights night. We left Algies Bay in torrential rain. The lights were calling us - come home, come home, switch us on. Can you imagine our disappointment at driving all the way home and the torrential rain followed us home. No Xmas lights tonight - or so we thought and for a brief period around 10pm we managed to switch our lights on for a friend.

On to Sunday and another day and another tale! Our two beautiful granddaughters currently have Chicken Pox. We cannot spend Xmas Day together as George & I have never had Chicken Pox. Even more upsetting was the thought that they could not get here to see the Xmas light display. Our display is done for friends and family, and these two beautiful girls are at the top of the list. They do not live locally. With good planning, we vacated the house so they could enjoy both inside and outside. On returning we found what I think is the best Xmas Presents ever!   Havana wanted to gift and wrap a present for us especially (and the one on the right hand side is a great effort for a 5 year old)  Not to be outdone, little Samara (nearly 2) wanted to do the same So she took a piece of wrapping paper apparently and used sticking tape - and that was her present. This is when you know that the value of a present is truly the thought that counts.

Merry Xmas to all as we wind down to the big day!!