A KIWI CHRISTMAS

A little belated perhaps....but "Happy Christmas"

Though this was our second Christmas in NZ, this years festivities came after a relatively settled year. The lead up to the FESTIVE SEASON was chaotic and with the world in a right old mess, it seemed like everyone was happy more for the break than Christmas in all it's glory! 'Overshadowed' would best sum it up.

Christmas only got going for us on the 20th Dec, when the Christmas tree was secured from two bizarre DUDES selling them from a container at the local CARPARK! Max did the trimming up, but it was the Christmas lights that really put us on track for a fun Christmas....more like a DISCO!

Here are a few photos of the day....a very casual affair

Max is sporting to 'presents', a T shirt and GREEN ZINC. His inspiration on colour is there for all to see!

The boys just cannot be prized off their skateboards. Tom has become a REAL DUDE!

The big blue TABLE TENNIS table was a gift from 'SANTA'! If you see a very tired looking bloke in a red outfit, white beard etc, it's because he would have struggled like hell with this monster of a parcel!

As you can see, the 'table' has it's own ARENA!

The GAUNTLET is well and truely being thrown around, as I have a history of sporting achievements in confined spaces! Not quite the 'IRONING BOARD SHOT' or the 'WALL SHOT' that was so famous in the snooker world's top tournament at 58, Livesey Branch Rd, but I am sure that in years to come, the 'KAYAK', 'WARDROBE' and numerous 'BIKE' shots will all be household names! (or garage names!)



Max & Tom in training after watching Forest Gump (Tom Hanks played table tennis like this!)

We are currently seeking 50 table tennis balls to replace the ones lost in THE GARAGE!

A Christmas Day in the sun would not be complete without a stint at the beach....! A warning must be announced, as a 'NUT CASE' was seen on the beach. If you see this PERSON, do not approach, for fear of 'THE VILLAGE IDIOT' talking to you.....they always find me....I don't know why?????

For your reference, that is a tan 12 months in the making!!!!!

A few hours of surfing, swimming and general POSING, then it was 'FORMAL MEAL TIME'!

Check out the Tom' Sauce!!!!! Allowed only because we went 'KIWI' and barbequed!

The boys will do away with sophistication (don't know who they get that off!!!!!)

And after a 'Tough Day', more Fiz! I think we are ringing Jeanette up, apologising after ringing her at 5am UK time....it's a long story!!!!!

And so, there you have it, Christmas KIWI STYLE.

I hope you all have a fantastic NEW YEARS celebrations and have a prosperous 2009

Senior Wordy

ps - 'Wierdo on beach' has gone into hiding, with complaints from as far away as OUTER SPACE, something about 'THE BLINDING GLARE' (or do they mean BLINDING GOOD LOOKS????.....dream on!)

5G's 'Whirlwind Tour' of New Zealand

So here we are, recovering after the WHIRLWIND that was the Greens of Dubai quick but very full on trip to New Zealand.

They came.....but did not conquer!!!!! Thomas G was intent on challenge after challenge....but that is for later on in the BLOG!

You'd think coming from Dubai they'd be sick of SAND!!!! But no! The beach was the main attraction!

Helen & Olivia soaking up the SUN as the others
played!

The surf was particulary strong when THE MEN OF GREEN and Senior Wordy attempted Sea Kayaking for the first time! Thomas was fantastic at reversing back in to shore!!!!

David managed to get out over the HUGE WAVES first go, but then REALISATION set in....how would he get back???? Somehow, he did. I on the otherhand was not so elegant! Silly me, firstly trying to paddle out with my sunglasses on, then it all 'TURNED TO CUSTARD' (typical Kiwi saying!) as I tried to stow my glasses in the kayak....you don't want to to that in huge seas I'll have you know! Next thing I knew, I was upside down, waves crashing about my head, and the storage cover washed somewhere between New Zealand and Australia!

At this point, my kayak took on more water than the TITANIC, which hampered my progress out, but did not help in the slightest when a Tsunami hit and I was left battling the waves....I lost! But it did make for entertainment!

David, realising the danger, 'leapt' up from his towel to help......NOT!

Candice made the bodyboarding look easy....well her and Tom did spend most of the holiday in the SEA! Especially when they drifted 46 kms along the beach in strong currents!!!!!

All good fun and everyone loved the surf!

I have refrained from more pictures of David and Helen being pummelled by the waves, as there is a lucrative film contract being negotiated with NZ funniest videos!

A more sedate morning on the beach. The G's from Dubai are natural HORSE PEOPLE....just look at D!!!!!

Another Day, another adventure. Rotorua, and the LUGE GRAND PRIX downunder! But first, we need to scare two of the Greens senseless (over did it with Candice.....refer 'lost CROC on the chairlift back up' section!), so Max took them on the giant swing. Can the Greens let us know when they arrive back in Dubai if Candice has stopped SCREAMING!!!!!?????

The more mature / wiser members of the party refrained from such activities, they had a win on the luge on their minds

And so, with 'Screaming Lord Such' ready for the luge, a practice run then it was on to the main event. TG really fancied his chances at this. So it was the WORDENS v the GREENS.

F1 points scoring......game on

As you can see the Photographer was the last to go...that's me. I know there will be objections from the Middle East, mainly regarding rubbish equipment, too long legs, sun angle, price of fish etc, but it is all just excuses....the result stands.

1st - Max W

2nd Senior Male W

3rd Candice G

4th Thomas G

5th Tom W

6th Helen G

7th Clare W

8th Olivia G

9th and very least Dave G
THE WINNERS>>>>THE WORDENS OF PAPAMOA!

The real loser was Candice, losing her CROC on the chairlift back up. Sir Knight in Shining Armour (NW) stumbled and trekked throught the JUNGLE to get it....RESULT not only finding the CROC but also a skanky leather sandle!!!



Olivia in a very determined mood!

David suffered the same as Thomas G.....just too long legs!!!!!

I think Lewis Hamilton started out 'just like that'.....or was that TOMMY COOPER?????

After exhausting days, THE HOSTS went back to work / school etc, but the G's carried on adventuring. TG golfed......4 rounds,the rest of the clan wandered around Mclaren falls and back to Rotorua for Thermal / Cultural fun.

All in all a fantastic time was had by all......(TG still moaning about the unfair nature of the challenges / competition....and I wont mention the PRESS up challenge in which TG did 55 in 60 seconds...very impressive, but we have a secret weapon in MAX W.....75!!!! Sorry that slipped out!)

Great to see the G's of Dubai in NZ....must come next time to SKI

We are all totally knackered now....5 1/2 weeks and counting....roll on MRS E!