More Christmas

A beautiful Christmas table at Grace and Thomas's

They kick right into ripping paper.

 The rats at the ready

 So you know the old trick. Let's agree not to buy anything for each other.

But on the day......

 At Jay's place now.

Grandma and Jay

 Dad watches Jay give out presents. A real Santa

 Mum, Nana and Aunty Jenny are Santa's little helpers

 Jay kicks his new ball (actually threw it right at me...)

 I wanted to ride this baby. A real machine that is electric powered.

Lucky kid.

 Dad assembling the balance bike. No instructions needed....

 Grand dad and Nana inspect the new play equipment

All in all a great day. We are so lucky.

Ovation Of The Seas

She glides silently across the harbour early this morning.

Hundreds of people were up to brave the cool breeze to watch the largest passenger ship ever to visit. In fact its one of the largest in the world today.

Built in Germany and launched in April 2016. This is a monster by any standards.

Facts and info

Santa J

Lots more to come.

Jay Visits His Great Grandparents

 What a nice way to start Christmas. Rob brings Jay around and we go to BP for coffee then up to the cemetery to see my parents (Robs grand parents and Jay's G Grandparents).

They brought some beautiful flowers and we stood around in the early morning sun and chatted about them. This was Jay's first visit.

So four generations together.

Etchings

A work mate brought in an old book from his mother. It contained lots of stunning etching prints.

The book was published in 1880. I could not resist taking my phone out and capturing a couple of them for the blog.

Info

Up The Mount (Mauao)_

So after a little over eating last night (that's Xmas) I headed off to the Mount well before sunrise to work my guilt out on the 700ft climb.

It was warm and humid and busy!

So lovely and calm.

 On the way back down the sun was slowly rising above the cloud layer on the Eastern horizon

Pohutukawa

These are beautiful this year.

I really struggle to get these shots anywhere near looking right.

These on Mauao (The Mount)

Tommy and Tilda

Tramps

G and P tramp it out 

Just Snaps

J and Dad

This random guy with a heart!

Mount Walk

Always lots to see.

Looking North toward mayor Island (Tuhua)

 Can't get in....

 In the entrance on the harbour side. A really nice beach for the kids.

 Old driftwood log

 My buddy J

Thomas Nine Years Young

We had a nice little party at home for Thomas last night.

Happy birthday mate...