Some Days are Just BIG

Welcome to the weekend, not a moment to waste in Kiwi summertime!

Across the bridge and over the wenderholm hill (next beach up the coast from Waiwera) – a morning hike.

Shoe cleaning before entering the native reserve – a kiwi practice to preserve our native flora and fauna!

A well trodden path before the climb!

Looking back across the river to Waiwera beach – about to go up….

A small rest stop – not saying we needed it just enjoying the bush scenery.

We made it! And the view from here, out to sea promised a very ‘warm’ summers day ahead!

Up and over, on the downward slope (Waiwera in the distance).

Home by 9am and it’s….

Slow cook BBQ preparation time – Today’s menu ‘Smoky Ribs’ Jaxon secret recipe ( although not so secret for those that wanted to listen to and watch every process)

Most of the day it was a gathering ‘Under the Gazebo’. Jax got the meat on and went and collected Mary for the day and friends dropped in on their way north! Lunch, swims (when it got too hot) and shooting the breeze was the order of the day!

Russ the BBQ assistant – very important job holding the tray! Seen here while ribs were being ‘Basted’

Janet headed north and I took Mary back to her Abode about 4pm!

Upon my return – it was ‘Meat carving’ time. Checking the quality – surely a post for “pitmasters” page…and then things got busy.

After a good stomach lining of Ribs, smoky sausages, beans and silver beat, it was beer and beer pong time. (For the younger generation!)

And the evening plans included a Karoake sing along , under the other gazebo, behind the boat sheds….and so it began…

Sedate murmurings and social intercourse with nibbles, lipstick and chairs, waiting for some brave person to knock out some tunes!

We have our own brave person….Steph got the ball rolling, owning some Adele and Ed Sheeran numbers!

Of course as the evening progressed, one had to actually fight for the three microphones and everyone was a singer!

And actually these guys are: Father, Son duet of a beach favourite ‘Sweet Child of Mine!’ Midnight rolled over and Sue called it quits – shortly followed by the rest of the team!

And it’s January 13th, we have been back in New Zealand only a month! And today is our youngest offsprings 23rd birthday! While freezing in winter temperatures on the other side of the world, we will celebrate for him in the sunshine!

It’s swim time George! Hello from the other side! (Steph sang this)