5th January 2007 - And a happy new year!

So where did you spend New Year?

We spent it here, Okiwi Bay!

Tony - David's dad's cousin, and his wife Paula, invited us to spend New Year with them so we did! It was beautiful.




We arrived on New Year's Eve and the drinking started pretty much straight away. Plenty of beer had been bought the previous day!
Also staying at the "bach" (what kiwis call beach houses) were Paula's mum and dad, brother, his wife and kids, some friends of his and a dog so around 16 of us in total. The Kiwis are also big into fishing, there were three boats staying with us as well. That day some of them had been out diving and fishing and bought back plenty, including some crayfish. David enjoyed consuming legs and pincers, but it wasn't quite my taste.



Later, we headed down to the beach to watch the fireworks over the bay - very beautiful. And then back to the bach for more drinking until new year rang in. Another house celebrated it a bit early, we weren't sure when it was exactly so just burst in a round of Auld Lang Syne and hugs and kisses all around. I went to bed at around 12:30, but David, being Scottish and that, went out "first-footing" with Tony, but they just ended up in a pub. Tch!

Next day Paula's dad, Jim, took us out on his boat fishing. I'd never done it before, and never had but hadn't caught a fish. It was SO MUCH FUN! I've found a new talent and caught the "catch of the day" a 39cm long cod. I caught the most fish as well. We had encounters with barracudas, but didn't manage to catch one!

Yesterday we took a drive north and visited Kaiteriteri beach, Guardian voted it one of the top 5 in the world! Didn't stay here long, but visited a look out which was missing a London sign, but did have had a Buenos Aires sign, spelt incorrectly. Then we had a lovely BBQ out on Rabbit Island and attempted to get David's kite to fly. It took ages and it was only when we were giving in and winding it in that it finally took flight, yay! David and I had a swim in the sea, suprisingly warm despite the grey clouds over head.

We're still in Nelson, just mooching around the city today. We're gonna head somewhere for a farmstay next, not sure where. Just waiting to hear back from some places.


Hope your New Year was lovely.