traditional kiwi christmas

We've just got back from spending our christmas in traditional kiwi style. Camping at the beach (or you could go bush but we went beach) -Waikuku Beach to be precise:
View Larger Map
We went for 5 days with the Davidsons next door (they are caravaners and we took the tent). We spent a lot of time practicing our doing nothing much skills (skills gained on many days at Whitwell - we look forward to showing them off next season back home). Sean in particular was focusing on achieving Masters level.
We got blessed with the weather most days with the exception of Wednesday where it decided that biblical rain was called for. We escaped the cabin fever by taking a tiki tour to Oxford. Oxford in the rain sucked. We couldn't find anywhere that we wanted to lunch in (either restaurant gastro or cheap and greasy bakery/cafe you can eat it but it will have had a face - the boys went for this option and Sean and Jenn got theirs from the local supermarket). So it was a fun lunch steaming up the car - small pleasures. We took the scenic route back stopping off at Ashley Gorge Reserve for a damp squelch at an historic camping ground and then onwards for a tramp on Mount Thomas (the rain had gone down to a light drizzle). Jenn managed to convince the boys that it would only take half an hour and when they got back to the car they could finish of the Hokey pokey (think Crunchie bar if it came in squares) and the liquorice. Well they took off at a gallop and managed an hours walk in 40 minutes. Shame they can't do that more often. Still it was good to be back in the trees with the smell of honey of the black fungus and the sound of the bell birds calling. Back to camp to discover a few leaks and a little damp but nothing to distressing. As it turns out we got off lightly as there was major flooding elsewhere - the main route one south was closed at the Rakaia Bridge. A long slow evening playing cards and reading. The weather returned to sunny for the next day which was good as Jack decided that we all ought to see the sunrise.
Even Jenn wasn't moaning about the 5.30 start as it was just magical.
We spent the next few days doing nothing much and playing on the beach kite flying, jumping waves and playing frisbee. Barney especially enjoyed the surf being a bit of a selkie. Great fun way to kick off the long holiday home.
2:14