Rolling into 2020

My last story pre Christmas precluded a series of events that have sped us towards 2020 without realising more than a week has passed.

My final food shop for Christmas fare took two try’s to get in the door of the supermarket – day one a full circle (or two) of the parking lot and we drove out…day two (by now Christmas Eve) up at 6am, in the parking lot at 6.30am, doors open at 7.00am (so far so good), list in hand, only to enter the fruit and vege department to be stampeded from behind by trolleys and mad men and woman who all seemed to have one aim in mind, getting to the checkouts first! And they probably did, I stayed locked to the handlebars of my trolley until the herd had passed! Job done, my few presents under tree, last work emails answered, and Christmas Eve was upon me!

It was this guy we were all missing and wanting to be with us, not Santa!

Remembering the good times, bringing tears and laughter and anger and everything that you cannot see! We had all of this…but tried our best to go through the motions!

Jaxon and Steph bring the Christmas spirit to the world! And we had a big morning planned with bringing Mary to the beach, pop and Sandy coming for Brunch, and Trudi and Ovin (George’s mate) sharing the Bonnici-Carter bedlam!

Mum looking very festive and Sue walking off the brunch…low tide but a still warm summers day!

No Christmas Day is complete without a game of beer pong… I took mum home around 2.00pm, it had been a long morning, and joined in the festivities and relaxed a little on my return – maybe too much – my beer pong skills seem to have somewhat diminished!

We saw out the day and were pleased to go to bed….to sleep off our emotions and varying levels of alcohol!

Boxing Day saw another calm day and an excursion in the newly serviced boat took shape. Low tide, so it was an excited Steph, Sue and Trudi in the boat, Jaxon holding it while Aaron took the trailer back to the shed, and ran back to join us and hit the deep sea adventures! The best laid plans….the $1800.00 service had rendered the boat motor without a roar! Yes we were going no where…back up the beach went Aaron, fetching the trailer, and the boat (trudi, Sue and Steph still aboard),were towed back to the port! Followed by “the walk of shame” (and comments of “that was quick, what did you catch”) back to the cottage with our Picnic, rods and other fishing supplies!

After an emotional Christmas, and an 1800 dollar boat service!, the only thing I could do was have a sleep! We all did for about three hours!

Well if you ask enough people, they kind of feel sorry for you…and we borrowed a trickle charger and left it on the battery all night, then Jaxon and I, with Aaron’s assistance and a few knowledgeable other campers, decided that the motor now goes, the battery had gone flat, (a relatively new one!) but should be ok to go….lesson learned, will check again today before embarking on another fruitless excursion!

So yesterday, became a day of chores! Clean up, Merc polish and park up for the festive season…living at the beach is not ideal for a white car, it seems to attract leaves, the red flowers of the pohutukawa tree, and bird Poo!

George went off to the gym and brought Mary back again for a few hours! She does enjoy sitting in the sun and eating what ever she can!

Today, however, I have some painting to finish, after a peaceful morning (I hope) …. two weeks until the big Day (wedding number one of the Bonnici-Carter off spring)