Christmas

I'm back in Christchurch and picking up some supplies for Christmas.
I've finally been met with some good weather.
When I get to Lyttelton, Aileen invites me to join her and her friends on a walk along the Cass Bay footpath to Corsair Bay.  After, we sit on the deck sipping wine and soaking up the summer evening.  They're all such interesting and inspiring ladies, I sink into the warmth of good wine and good conversation.  The next day is Christmas Eve and Aileen and I do some prep for the big day.  We attend a barbecue at the home of Vanessa's friend, its an eggnog party.  I'm surprised, I admit I didn't know Kiwis drank eggnog.  Everyone assures me that they don't, this is homemade eggnog and incredibly boozy.  I stick to my cider.  We grill up all the meat and help ourselves to a selection of salads, its such an awesome feast that I quickly go into food-coma mode.

Christmas day fast arrives and the family comes over for brunch: Neo, Vanessa, Arlo, Lucinda and Hoff are all present (plus the fur babies: Mika, Rico and Junior.)  We gorge on bagels, croissants, chocolate, fruit, every kind of spread and preserve, its heavenly.  I watch them exchange gifts and sheepishly offer them my impersonal gift baskets I put together (in plastic bags no less as time quickly got away from me.)  To my total surprise they give me a lovely gift of paua earrings, scented beads and an awesome New Zealand tote bag.  I'm close to tears.  The kindness this family has show to me is overwhelming, words cannot express my appreciation.

I Skype with my dad and brother and the first thing they say is: "We miss you, when are you coming home?"  I'm a few drinks in and I feel myself getting teary eyed.

More of the clan arrives for a barbecue/potluck: aunts, uncles, cousins, friends.  We all sit in the shade sipping cool drinks and then gorge on the incredible array of food.  I feel like I might actually burst but still go for dessert.  I finally try my first pavlova cake and I'm immediately hooked.  The day winds down, people peter off and I feel about 20 pounds heavier.

The next day we all feel pretty sluggish so myself, Aileen, Ollie, Lucinda, Vanessa and her friends Becky and Christy all hike up the rapaki track.  We are greeted at the top by stunning Christchurch views.  Finally getting exercise is such a treat, I realize how much I've missed it.
After, we snack on cheese and crackers and go to Cass Bay to float out on the water.  We have a light dinner and I Skype with my mom and the Eaton clan gathered at Bruce and Betty's.  They're all drinking wine and wearing Christmas hats, surrounded by a gaggle of dogs.  I bit my lip and try to control the overwhelming homesickness creeping into my psyche.  I remind myself that I'll feel less emotional once the holidays pass.  Ollie brings out the standup paddle board and I finally experience my first SUP session.  It takes a few minutes to get the balance down but soon enough I'm flying across the bay.  It's such a relaxing experience, I can't wait to get out again.

The next day I say a heartfelt goodbye to Aileen and Ollie, promise to keep in touch and hit the road. Back to Nelson I go.