Week 33 - A New Zealand Christmas week! - The kindness of strangers

Christmas Eve Sunset

Hello Everybody & Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is ready for the new year celebrations, and it'll be interesting that here will be one of the first places in the world to experience new years! The Christmas week here in New Zealand has certainly been a new experience for me, with lots of very different kinds of Christmas activities. Naturally, it has also reminded me of the things I miss about England, at this time of year!

CHRISTMAS EVE: After working until 5pm, I headed home for a 'cuppa' (cup of tea) thinking of my Gran, because it's her birthday on Xmas eve. I headed off to meet my friend Tibo, and we headed off for a walk up towards the botanical gardens, which overlooks the harbour. As we headed for the gardens, Tibo suddenly stopped, looked around, and then said "follow me" - I've only known Tibo a short time, but I trusted him despite this odd behaviour, as he suddenly disappeared up a tree! As I followed him up the tree, I could see a flatted section of branches which pretty much allowed for quite a few people to go and sit up on the tree top... it was quite scenic, and it was obviously well used with a couple of beer bottles evident! The views of the hillside were pretty nice and the first two pictures on the blog come from this view point. We eventually walked down the hill to the harbour, where we met a couple of guys we met at the jazz band, and sat in shorts and t-shirts having a beer by the harbor, until 10pm with a clam and still ocean in front of us.

CHRISTMAS DAY: I was picked up by my colleague (Helen), who had invited me around to spend Christmas with her family. The day was so beautiful, with bright blue skies and not a cloud in sight. We took a short drive to her nieces place in a town called Tawa, and waited for the arrival of two other nieces with partners and kids in toe! From the moment of arriving a drink was placed in my hand and I was told to sit and relax. The home was lovely, with a nice garden (see below) and creek out the back, with a little blow-up swimming pool too! - Just perfect! Rachel and Nige (hosts) soon had the BBQ going with the first round of food being a buffet style cooked breakfast with toast, eggs, bacon and tomatoes! The kids were keen to get in the swimming pol, but not before opening presents! Helen had somehow managed to get me a stick of 'Blackpool rock' - (a type of sweet/candy from a seaside town in England), which was especially nice!  

Xmas day venue - sunny days! 

After the kids were having fun in the pool, myself, Helen and her sister took off for a 20 minute drive up the coast to Plimmerton Beach.. see below... the perfect way to cool down on the HOTTEST CHRISTMAS DAY IN WELLINGTON FOR 80+ YEARS.... The sea was cool, not too cold, and soon enough I had covered myself in enough suncream to block the sun for a week! I am still not sure what pose i was trying to pull off on the picture below! 

Plimmerton beach - Xmas day

Me @ beach on Xmas day!

After a good 30-40 swim in the sea and quick lie in the sun, we headed back to Helen's niece's home, and I quickly found myself being exposed to more wonderful hospitality, as I was encouraged to get in the pool with a beer with my hosts, and relax as round two of food was prepared on the BBQ - this time it was 'White bait fritters' -which were gorgeous! We still hadn't even got close to dessert yet! r the meat still piled in the fridge! You can imagine the rest of the day, spent relaxing, eating, drinking and eventually I got home almost a full 10 hours later! I can't thank everyone enough for a lovely family Christmas day! The day /night was finished off with a great skype call with all my family, which made for the perfect first Xmas here!

Relaxing with my hosts.

BOXING DAY (Part 1): This was an early start, as I had signed myself up for a 0930 bicycle ride around the bays (30k +) with the 'Adventure Wellington' group! I  met my other riders at the Fryberg Swimming pool. Three of us then spent the next 2.5 hours, cycling around the bays, with just one serious drink stop, at Schorcing Bay Cafe . I've done this cycle before but not with others, so it was nice to learn about the Adventure wellington group - which do almost every kind of activity you can imagine possible here, and have a good conversation about the joys of Wellington. My other riders included the local host form the group and a Scottish guy who has been in Wellington just over a year! See the pictures below...

Happy riders - Boxing day. 

Views over Seatoun - Boxing Day

Oriental Parade - Boxing Day

Boxing Day @ Oriental Parade

After the bike ride I bumped into my newest colleague, Brad by the beach and we had a quick catch-up over an ice-cream at Oriental Parade where you can see the funny life guard sigh in the picture above. The clouds had started to appear by this point (lunchtime) and I wondered if the rain might appear later!

  

BOXING DAY (PART 2): ....The rain appeared later! A planned boxing day trip to the cricket with Derek & Steph was almost rained off, despite the spectacular start to the day! Having been cycling in hot sun, I now found myself sat in a windy stand, in the famous 'Basin' cricket ground, which is completely circled by a roundabout. The Wellington Firebirds easily won the match (reduced to just 15 overs each), but the most interesting part of the game was watching how close the ball came to hitting cars traveling on the roundabout, every time the ball was hit out of the ground! it happened 9-10 times! The game would even stop for a few minutes whilst they retrieved the ball! Can't wait for England to play a test at this ground in March.... have a look at the pictures I took from the main stand. 

To top the week off on Thursday 27th, I went to the final Wellington Phoenix (football) match of the year, at the now familiar 'Westpac Stadium'. The Phoenix were expected to beat the visiting team (the Melbourne Heart) easily. I thought the Phoenix may have been inspired by mine and Jess' visit to their after game drinks last week! It turns out they were anything but inspired, falling 0-2 behind after 20 minutes. Unbelievably, they managed to come back and win the game 3-2, meaning that at 80 minutes we all had to take our shirts off for the final 10 minutes as tradition suggests! Maybe we should have gone to post game drinks again! 

Regards from New Zealand! 

Dan

Week 32 - It's Christmas! It's also a football festive special!

Johnsonville @ sunset

Hello Everyone!

Wow, It's really hard to believe that it's December 23rd already, and I don't mean because we have all survived the end of the world! (as predicted by the Mayan's civilization for December 21st!). I simply mean that one year ago today I had no idea that I'd be here in New Zealand 365 days later!

It's finally felt a little more like Christmas for me this week, and that has been helped along by a lovely evening with some English friends, eating mince pies, and cake, and also by my love second favourite Christmas time activity - watching football! 

THURSDAY NIGHT IN JOHNSONVILLE (Sunset pictures)

This was a really great night, hosted by Derek & Steph - (English couple who moved out here a little before I did, and I used to work with Steph breifly a long time ago!). A waterfront walk in the glorious sunshine, and a 30 minute train ride to Johnsonville (plus a walk up a big hill) led me to their home, filled with their friends and colleagues, some of which I have met before at Steph's birthday drinks back in June... Steph's iced mulled wine was seriously scrumptious! I wish I had pictures, but spent the night enjoying teh great company, interesting conversation and as you can see from the pictures, a beautiful sunset over Johnsonville! 

Johnsonville @ Sunset

SATURDAY 'PHOENIX PUB CRAWL'

After an invite through a friend (Jess), I thought it would be rude not to go on the third annual Wellington Phoenix 12 stop pub-crawl for the Christmas fixture against the Central Coast Mariners! (CCM). 7 stops before the 5:00pm game and 5 stops after! I thought getting good hearty breakfast was important, so I stopped my The Cuba Street Bistro, for a 'Big Breakfast' - and to see my friend Tibo, who works there. I then met the "Yellow Fever" crowd at the 'Four Kings Pub' for the customary photo! The second pub was the Mac's Brewery (See below!) where we were met by an Egyptian guy who wanted to video us wishing his favorite Egyptian team a message of support! 

Phoenix fans at Mac's Brewery

The best bit about this second stop, was chatting with two guys (Dave from Stockport and Ian from Preston). They told me a little bit about the history of the phoenix, but better yet Ian gave me a free ticket for the game! Saving me at least $32! Brilliant! The next stop at St John's (The old St John's station) was a far more relaxing affair! Last weekend they had free table-tennis and croquet outside this bar. Yesterday was just very comfy beanbags which myself and Jess took much advantage of!

Jess chilled on St John's beanbag

Me enjoying the comfort of a beanbag!

'Yellow Fever' fans!

After a quick 30 mins at St John's the Yellow Fever marched along the waterfront, much to the amusement of many an asian tourist group! After another 30 minute visit- this time to the Dockside, we moved on to the 'Foxglove' (one of my favourite places to have a drink by the water). The great thing with this place is the outside patio area upstairs! It's so comfy and has a few loungers you can just stretch out on! It was so comfy we decided to stay there until and miss out the next pub! 

Me way too comfy at 'Foxglove'

So, it was onto the game itself... and as we approached the stadium and the weather improved dramatically and turned into a hot sunny day! Perfect Christmas weather? I was not so sure! ( I miss the cold winter). Still, I could not have asked for a nicer day and I happened to notice that the latest cruise liner had docked, right next to the stadium - just another reminder of the joys of living by the sea! 

Sunny Santa Stadium!

Check out the boat!

The game itself was a reasonable game, with the Phoenix failing as usual to give the visiting goalkeeper any problems, and failing drastically to make a good cross! Still, they managed to equalize towards the end of the game, which meant we went home happy with a 1-1 result! Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of the day were the crowd's outfits, see below! 

Sunny days! 

Colourful fans!

the phoenix Santa

Jess @ me & the game!

After the game we strategically skipped the first pub, to get plenty of time, and a good seat and the 'Royal', and then had a tip off that there was an after match party, with the players at a bar in the city centre. Jess had a friend there, so we abandoned the pub crawl and headed off to 'The Grand', where the kindly bouncer turned a blind eye to us walking in the door! We got to the second floor, and whilst the bar staff were busy, casually wandered through the 'closed private function' area, into a room filled with a few fans, and most of the Phoenix team! Jess had won a signed shirt in a competition the day before, and the player that gave her the shirt, came over and aid hello - like they were mates! A couple of other players passed and stopped to say hello, and even to say bye when they were leaving! - Very down to earth! We got a couple of pictures, including the one below with Danny Sanchez!   

Me & Jess with Danny Sanchez - Phoenix player!

So, as the Christmas films (Polar Express, Scrooge & Bad Santa) finally get shown on tv here, I'm going to have a quiet evening in, feeling Christmassy! Also, Liverpool gave me a perfect early Christmas present with a 4-0 victory over Fulham this morning at 06:30, so I'm a little tired - especially as it inspired me to go to the gym after! 

On a final note, thanks to those of you that sent cards, emails, texts and Christmas Messages in advance. Despite really enjoying life here, I am really missing everyone back home, and get a bit nostalgic at this time of year!

Regards from New Zealand!

Dan 

Week 31 - A whole new world & drinks with the prime minister!

Christmas Party Venue! 

Hello folks, well it's a little late this week posting the blog, but it's been a pretty amazing week really! It's definitely summer now, with the need to put suncream on most days due to an intense sun, and a very thin ozone layer! 

I've been drinking in the same bar as the Prime Minister, sailing on boats and even managed to fit in watching the Hobbit (which was a bit of a let down to be honest). I rarely write about only on thing in my posts, but I just can't get over the events of the work Christmas party last week, which had me feeling like Aladdin in the Disney movie, feeling like its a 'whole new world'. (All the pictures come from the works Xmas party this week!) 

Pre-sailing drinks! 

 So, being on the other side of the world can bring some issues with adjusting to feeling like everything is 'upside down'. My birthday in June was in Winter, having always been in summer, which means Christmas is in the middle of summer, + light nights, warm weather, and no snow! I'm adjusting slowly to this idea, but one thing that definitely helped with this adjustment was the idea of having a Christmas party on a boat, on the ocean, in summer! Yes, for someone who has never lived by the sea, this idea had me so excited all week, I couldn't help just saying the phrase "Xmas party on a boat, on the ocean... -  I can't believe it!" (all for just $40 (£20) per person for 3 hours, plus food and drink). 

So the team headed out to the dockside and where met by Captain Tim and his lovely assistant, and a Dalmatian dog, on a beautiful catamaran boat (see first picture). After loading all the food and drink on board, we soon set sail giving me my first view's of Wellington from the sea! 

Wellington City Views...

Wellington views by sea...

Not only did we have drinks on board, we had brought a buffet that could have fed the Titanic! After a healthy dose of suncream, it was time to sit back, have a drink, and soak up the views on offer! 

Our boss in the kitchen! 

Enjoying the ride!

Soaking up the sun....

We began to head towards Somes Island where we due to dock, and use it as a wind break, before heading for a swim or indeed a kayak around the island... this day was just getting better and better. The Dalmatian dog was still stowed away below deck, but we were all enjoying the totally gorgeous weather to mind the dog's shyness! As we heard the captain's shout "land ahoy" we arrived at Somes. 

Somes Island

Me with Somes Island behind! 

Some of the team were ken to get into the water, and soon dived in. I felt I should make the most of the opportunity to swim in the ocean for the first time here. I suspected that at 14.5 degrees, it was going to be a little cold, but wasn't quite expecting to have my male parts hide away for 20 minutes whilst I adjusted to the freezing water. My most recently arrived colleague (Brad) had a far better idea - to use one of the Kayaks to paddle around the island and stay reasonably warm! 

Swimming in the ocean...

Me and Jo! Who's the braver! (Jo)

 So, whilst some of us hit the water for some exercise, other enjoyed the feast and BBQ on the boat, Our boss deserved lots of credit for doing most of the cooking on the little BBQ at the back of the boat...

...and the food certainly woke the dog up! 

So a wonderful day came to an end, with a fun sail back to civilisation, and Wellington docks....

Homeward bound!

Back to Wellington Dockside! 

A great day out had by all! As with all adventures there are a few mishaps along the way, and this trip was not without an injury or two... I'll only share my little issue which was after some over enthusiastic (or tipsy) kayaking, I did manage to pull a muscle or two in my back, which meant having a very quiet weekend!  Well worth it though! 

A final tale - on Tuesday I went out for some drinks after work with another group of colleagues from a different part of the DHB (District Health Board) - well drinks with the addictions team, sounds better, right! We went to a little bar, and I do mean little, called 'Cuckoo'. It was a funky little bar by the waterfront, and all the furniture is from 'Op-shop' charity shops, but is available for you to buy from the bar if you like it! Cool eh? Anyway I had noticed a couple of police hanging around (unusual for Wellington), and I also has seen a sign for 'private function' in the upstairs room of the same bar, - well it was only for the bloody Prime Minister... the parliament building is down the road - just goes to show what a small, and different world I live in now!

Well, that's it for this week,  could go on, but pictures tell the story far better than my words this week! 

Regards from New Zealand

Dan 

Week 30 - Santa runs to prepare for Xmas, A spontaneous weekend in Auckland with Mary Poppins, and Carols in the park!

A festive hello to you all!
This week has really started to feel like the Christmas season, and especially this weekend, so I wanted to share some of the festive fun from this 30th Week in Wellington!

WEDNESDAY 5TH DECEMBER - Having failed to round up enough people from the DHB (District Health Board) to enter a 'team' in the Kids charity 'Santa Fun Run', I impulsively signed up for to run on Tuesday night. (I really should have checked the weather first!). It turned out to be one of the worst days of weather since I arrived, with torrential rain showers and storms in the afternoon. Fortunately, the rain stopped at least, but the wind didn't! Still the 500+ other people who had signed up for the run, didn't let the weather spoil the fun! Everyone received a santa suit (male/female) depending what you have requested - see picture below! 

Guess the Santa?

The warm up for the event included a mass Zumba class, have a look for yourself at what must have looked like a crazy sight for any passers by!

The beginning of the race must have also looked quite funny, with a small path on the 3k run around the waterfront packed with santas of all shapes and sizes! The zumba warm up had caused a wardrobe malfunction, and I need to employ all my OT skills to design a make shift belt that would hold up my 'one size fits all' santa trousers!

At the start line!

Santa Run, Wellington

FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER - After a random discussion with my neighbour Kala, on Tuesday, about the opportunity to go and watch Mary Poppins the musical in Auckland, the plan quickly took shape. I quickly called my mate in Auckland (Tony), and had cheap tickets booked (just $60 / £30 there), and a little more on the way back. Wellington airport is small, but always full of surprises, and had once again had outdone itself with yet more Hobbit decorations! (Check out the signage, baggage carousel and latest edition to the waiting area....)

Genuine signs at Wellington Airport...

Wellington Baggage Carousel 

Who's behind the baggage carousel window?

Wellington Airport...

SATURDAY / SUNDAY 8TH/9TH DECEMBER - 

After Tony and Monica had been fantastic hosts and picked us up at the airport, fed us, and then cooked a lovely breakfast, we headed out to the city to enjoy some seriously beautiful weather! Walking around the wharf in Auckland is becoming a regular event on my trips here, and this weekend  certainly did not disappoint. It's always great to catch up with Tony as we can talk a little 'shop' (work), and I can learn more about mental health work in a different part of New Zealand. Also the Wellington vs Auckland rivalry / debate about the merits of each place is always a fun conversation. 

Here's a few pictures from a sunny Auckland city! 

Out & About in Auckland...

Me & Tony in Auckland

Finding Santa - Auckland

MARY POPPINS - Saturday night was all about going to a beautiful theatre - the 'Civic Theatre', in the city centre. I was not expecting such a stunning building, and funky decor! The show itself was brilliant, (no pictures allowed), but I can show a few pictures from the theatre itself and one of Auckland by night. I'd definitely go back to Auckland, to see a good show at this theatre!

At the theatre...

At Mary Poppins!

Auckland by night....

SUNDAY- A day spent in more glorious sunshine, (In both Auckland & Wellington)! Looking around some funky little markets, followed by a great lunch (I ordered a large 'breakfast'), with some of Tony & Monica's friends. One of the couples had a little girl, and I only mention this to explain where I got the hat from in the photo below. Even though I had been putting sun cream on, I was in desperate of a hat, as my head gets burned too easy from the intense sun! I need to get a decent hat here, and accept I'm going to have to have short hair in summer! 

Sunday Markets, Auckland

In desperate need of new sun hat!

On returning to a gorgeous evening in Wellington, I felt like going home and having a good sleep, but I also really wanted to go to see some of the 'Carol by Candlelight' concert in Waitangi park! So getting a bus straight from the 'Hobbit' airport, to Courtney Place, meant I could go straight to the concert. Here's a couple of pictures and maybe a video from the event, which started at 19:30 and was a family friendly event- meaning no alcohol or smoking in the public grounds... so many families, and groups of friends from all age groups sat around having picnics and enjoying the Christmas atmosphere... such a wonderful evening!

Wellington's 'Carols by candlelight'

Reindeers come to town....

Now I simply have to prepare for the 'Manchester derby' (Man City vs Man UTD Football) game, which kicks off at 02:30 here. Do I watch this game, or the 05:00 West ham UTD vs Liverpool game??? Tough choices! 

Hope you all enjoy the blog... I hope that where ever you are in the world, you are enjoying the festive season!

Regards from New Zealand!