Christmas eve

We guess this is the day that we begin to feel our distance from home the most acutely. Everything is topsy turvey. The sun is shining and we've had a solstice. But it was the summer one and not the winter one. It ought to be cold. We ought to be out about spending time with friends and family. We ought to have put up some decorations and holly and ivy. So traditions are on hold until next year. For now we are keeping it kiwi.

And do nothing much. Not the same as nothing as its doing nothing much.

But we did decide to risk life and limb and take a walk up in the hills. What with the ankle injuries we decided to try and avoid the steep woody foothills and go as far as we could in the car (we know: what a cop out) to minimise risk of further injury and an easy way to get to the views.

It was raining in the plains but we left it behind as we climbed up the Mount Hutt ski road. We say road, the tarmac ran out within the first 50m and the road became more of a rubbly track etched into the side of the mountain. A rock face to one side, which was losing rocks all over the road and a precipice to the other side. Sean drove, Jenn sat clenched beside him. Knuckles white as she gripped the passenger door. We don't know why because, lets face it, if a boulder did decide to launch itself onto them or the car suddenly veered of the road over the edge it wouldn't have done her any good. But it was worth it as within a mile or so of climbing, scrambling and general escapading we made it to a lovely spot with a good clear view over the plains and the fluffy clouds. Even Jack and Barney stopped moaning and enjoyed themselves.

Looking forward to christmas day now and a barbecue and lots more doing nothing much for the next couple of weeks before we have to a lot of much. (Mostly panic we suspect).
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