A trip to Akaroa

A couple of weekends ago we randomly decided to go for a day trip to the small seaside village of Akaroa. I hadnt been there since i was a little girl and neither had Thomas so it was the perfect opportunity to go and explore some of the beauty of Banks peninsula.

It is just over an hour's drive from central Christchurch and it certainly feels like a whole world away. It has a very strong French influence from the early settlers as long ago as 1838.

It certainly has an abundance of charm and quaint places to explore, i just wish we had more time and we will certainly be back for an overnight stay at least some time later in the year.

I still love the feeling of being a tourist in my own country. There are so many corners and fantastic places i have yet to explore and i love ticking places off my very long travelling list.

Had a very eventful weekend in Timaru for the wedding which seems like it was such a long time coming so it was a bit of a shock getting back into work today. Weekends really do never seem long enough.

Enjoy the start to your week

x

Christmas in the Summertime

One of the great things of living in NZ or Australia is thatwe get to celebrate Christmas in Summer. This means we usually have Christmas on a warm sunny day and a long bright night. No snow, no eggnogand no opening presents by a warm roaring fire. Its more like Christmas lunchoutside in the sun, an afternoon swim at the beach and enjoying a few coldcocktails.

Every year by the time it’s Labour Weekend and then Cup weekhere in Christchurch it seems that Christmas comes around faster and faster everytime. We recently had everyone around to put up our Christmas tree at mumssmack bang on the 1^st of December. It is always a fun day listeningto Christmas music and enjoying a few laughs and bottles of wine.

The beginning of December also indicates the start of theextremely important Christmas movie season. Started back in Sydney when we werein school and has somehow continued. Doesn’t seem to matter that we watch thesame movies each year but I do look forward to them.

The list each year includes

-       - The Santa Clause

-     -   The Holiday

-      -  Love Actually

-       - Home Alone

-       - National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

It seems that even though we get to enjoy a warm Christmasour movies are the only way we can enjoy the wonders of a white Christmas.

I feel like each year I appreciate my family even morearound Christmas time.  We may not beperfect but there is no better time to enjoy your loved ones.

I am especially excited for this years Christmas as it is the first one (hopefully of many) that Thomas and I will be spending together. I know he will be disappointed he wont be able to see his family but hopefullyhe enjoys our silly traditions.

Here is hoping the weather behaves and gives us some glorious sunshine. I cant tell you how much im looking forward to the end of the year and my new years trip to Lake Hawea with some of my closest friends. Will be amazing to get out of town and enjoy one of my favourite spots where we used to spend countless Christmas's as kids.

I will make sure i share my adventures with you all.
x