NZ: Alli and James' Wedding and the Bay of Islands

Yippee - another trip to NZ! This one was slightly extended due to my job contract ending coinciding with a previously booked trip for the Everist wedding, so I was lucky enough to be able to join in the frivolities of the Patterson nuptials, and surprise a few of my favourite people too :)

My 30th birthday was spent crossing timezones somewhere above Asia, but luckily I was able to celebrate with F&Cs and Gin & Tonics the following day with Kelley, Fraser and Jenny in our little caravan in Paihea. Yay!

The Treaty of Waitangi grounds:
Around Russell:
The Otago girls the night before the big day:

Alli and James' Big Day:

Road trip back to Auckland:

More F&Cs at Opononi:

Tane Mahuta: the largest kauri tree in the world

30 things I love

1. You know who you are
2. Old fashioned lemonade
3. Chocolate fish
4. Good service
5. Cooking for my man
6. Cappuccino's from Brew with chocolate syrup on top and 1 sugar
7. The smell of a newly popped can of tennis balls
8. Filing
9. Eric
10. Smashing a winner down the line
11. Painting my toenails
12. Showers
13. Crying during sad movies and books
14. X Factor
15. Jack Reacher
16. Warm feet
17. Receiving handwritten notes
18. G and Ts in the sun
19. Macs Golds at Awaroa Lodge, Abel Tasman National Park
20. Fresh sheets
21. Trashy magazines
22. Fresh flowers
23. Sunshine
24. Gordon Ramsay
25. Urban Retreat: The Cleanser
26. Our bookshelf
27. Christmas pudding with cream and custard
28. Efficiency
29. Eating gelato at Oriental Bay
30. Putting on pyjamas that have just come out of the drier

The Incredible Edible

It only took 30 years, but I finally got a 'proper' birthday cake!! Thanks so much to Helen and helpers for their 6 hours of hard labour in the kitchen. What stars :)

Christmas eve

Service at St Pauls and a stroll home via Westminster.

Night shooting

Some night shots from Friday night from an outing (& tuition!) with fellow 40D owner Peter Grainger...

Battersea Park, Albert Bridge & the Thames

Sloane Square

Prague

Impressions of Prague:

• Drinking fresh, smooth dark beer in smoky candlelit pubs to hide from the cold.
• Barging through throngs of tourists around the central attractions.
• Dumplings, goulash, deep fried everything and not a vegetable in sight.
• The setting sun sneaking through the clouds (after a grim day of rain) and turning the brickwork on the clocktowers overlooking the Old Town Market Square into a glowing pink.
• Chatty, friendly, helpful staff and locals.
• Draining grey, cold and short December days.
• Getting lost in a maze of cobbled streets.
• Carols and mulled wine warming the Xmas markets in the evening.

Old Market Town Square, with it's astronomical clock. The poor bloke who built this in the 13th century did such a good job that the Prague powers at be didn't want the feat repeated elsewhere so saw to it that he was turned blind. He got a revenge of sorts though as he was the only one who knew how the thing worked he managed to turn the clock off and it stayed that way for 100 years until they could find someone to fix it.

St Wenceles overlooking the main drag - the sight of many political protests and uprisings during Prague's 40 year Communist battle.

Prague Castle.

Another friendly local. I felt about as bloated and frosted as this fella by the time we headed for the plane.

All Blacks v Scotland, Edinburgh

All Blacks 32, Scotland 6. Though not their dynamic best performance always good to see the Blacks play ball. Also a relief to see the haka this time after the debacle two years ago in Cardiff.

Other highlights included a relaxing trip on the rail on Friday night, the reincarnation of euchre and whiskey and ginger beer after the game.

We're already making plans to return in Edinburgh in August for the tattoo, festival and hopefully lack of freezing Northerly's some more.

A few snaps below, starting with the view of the hill in Hollyford Park form our bedroom window and then a view of the town form the top with Dean, Helen and Josh.

Weekend in Warwickshire

A few quick snaps of our weekend around the Cotswolds as we try desperately to cling on to some sun - although no one else in the county seemed to be wearing shorts.


Highlights were the tan square from Norah's deli, a guinness at the Red Lion in Shipston, strolling around Stratforn on Avon and the birds of prey at Warwick castle.

And we were well hosted all weekend in the Asparagas room in The Fabulous George in Shipston - great food, wine and atmosphere.

Chipping Campden:

Stratford on Avon:

Warwick Castle:

Slaughter: