Pre-Christmas Ramble

Hi All,

I know, it's been a while (again!). But we've been so busy! Spring sprang and so did all the weeds and the sporting events started up (before and after work and at weekends) and the barbie season is upon us. And somewhere in there is Christmas, but that is a bit of an abstract concept as you sit on the deck in shorts sipping a Pimm's!

So, what's new down under? Will has been taking part in the Stroke and Stride (aka Sink or Swim) series. The first one involved a 500m swim followed by a 5k run and Will was a bit nervous. 2 later it was a 1k swim and a 3k run - that was a bit terrifying, but he did it and did a good job of it too! Not being rescued by the surf lifesavers constitutes 'good job' for the moment :)

We also did he ADRA run - Will doing the half marathon and me doing the 10k. Up at 6 on a Sunday morning on a clear day on the beach was pretty special! Will managed 2 hours and 6 minutes and I did 55 minutes or so. It seems that I have speedy legs after all (even though I don't often take them running).

We've been de-cluttering our lives in order to find the spare bed for Mum to come and stay. She arrived last Friday, on a lovely Auckland morning. A quiet weekend followed, with a trip out to the Wild West - Waitakere Ranges and Piha (for pictures and maps, please see Picassa). Monday was a trip up to Matakana (about an hour north of Auckland) for a vineyard or two and a sculpture trail. Tuesday brought rain and lots of it and then Wednesday was mum's date with one of the Auckland walking groups and a nice coastal walk from Takapuna to Devonport. Then the third of Will's Sink or Swims and dinner out in the evening.

Thursday was a bit of a drama as we were burgled :( Lots of mess and destruction, but all replaceable.

Then Friday, mum left on her tour of North Island - due back on Thursday.

We're all off to Nelson for Christmas next Sunday. Looking forward to a decent break that doesn't involve long haul and jetlag :) I'm sure that there'll be blogging when I get back.

To those of you who haven't received Christmas cards - some of them are still in the post and may be until mid-2009. If I didn't send you one then sorry, but NZ post is extortionate and it isn't because we don't love you!

Have a happy and restful Christmas and take good care (don't get too cold!).

I'll leave you with an Auckland snowfamily:



Kirsten, Will, Sally and Gordon.