Our first vacation since San Diego in 2008 has found us in sunny Tauranga, Bay of Plenty - plenty indeed. Plenty of sunshine, plenty of food, plenty of nothing to do - unless we choose to do it.
Maria's folks Ray (Poppa) & Gael moved to Tauranga earlier this year and we haven't seen the new house until now. It's been a great getaway from home, work and chores. So far we've walked around Mt Maunganui with the kids, spent the day at Papamoa beach with Maria's aunties, had a flurry on the pony's at the TAB with the uncles over a jug, and eaten a bunch of lunches - not to mention our first Christmas with Gael & Poppa in a few years.
Ham, roast chicken - with Ray's stuffing, cured venison, beau coup roast veges, we haven't stopped eating since the 25th. Gael & Poppa's place looks out over Welcome Bay across the estuary towards the Mount with the Pacific in the far distance. As Edie has just mentioned "Summer if just perfectly coming towards us" and she's got it in one. The sun has been magnificent and I gather a perfect respite from the wind and general dour behaviour of Wellington (except on a good day - read: twice a year).
Christmas was bountiful for Edie and Ira alike. Plenty of gifts and things to keep them occupado amongst the day trips. I'm taking Ray fishing on Tuesday, we're both really looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be fish-this and fish-that on the menu for a few days. I'll be sure to post photos of our triumphs in a week or so.
Not much else to report. Been doing the family thing with most of Maria's aunties, uncles, cousins et al. Uncle Mike's avocado trees will keep us in guacamole for a good spell.
Anyhoo, time to get back to the business
Happy Merry
Benj
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie xx you too.
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