Kiwiagogoland

 It seemed appropriate that 2008 bowed out with a spectacular sunset. The last couple of days have seen temperatures soar into the mid 30's in Canterbury, so it looks like summer is well and truly here.

Where do ghosts send their laundry?

The dry screamers!

  Our trip to Hanmer Springs as part of Georgia's birthday present, couldn't have been better. Perfect weather in an idyllic place. Views of the mountains, good food, happy kids and a superb environment for relaxation. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day, without exception. I think Georgia would have liked a Spa treatment though.....girls! ;)

No matter where you are.... the supermarket, the park, or in the street, Kiwi kids all sound the same at toddler age. And whenever we hear one, we are reminded of this advert for Mitre 10

Why did the football manager flood the pitch?

So he could bring on the sub

The block party that we were invited to at the beginning of December was a good night. There were a few neighbours invited and the kids had a great time in the spa pool, while us adults tucked into some tinnies from the "chilly bin". We finished the night off with food from a good bbq, before getting an early night in preperation for our trip to Hanmer

  Santa parades are big business in NZ. The main ones are in the cities, but the nearby village of Lincoln had its own version too. It's typically the summer carnival with Santa on the back of a lorry. The whole village turned out and when you consider numbers (population 4000) the efforts were on a much grander scale than that of Solihull (which we witnessed the week prior to leaving the UK). This carnival procession had floats!

Another feature is the "dress your bike" competition, where all the kids try to out do each other with various Christmas themes for their bikes. As you can see from the pictures, helmets are still compulsory!

What happened to the editor who interviewed a cannibal?

She's now editor - in - chief

 I think its safe to safe Georgia really enjoyed her Birthday as you will see from the pictures in the family album. Plenty of presents from the UK, a great curry and some surprise treats and trips, helped the day go down well. Topped off by an amazing solid ice-cream cake.....mmmm

Thanks everyone for all your cards, presents and phone calls. I am this morning in the process of updating all the photo's in the albums. More on these, which each post. I am going to schedule the updated diary entries, so that you are not bombarded with 20 posts, so keep tuned over the next few weeks.

Nicki had a camcorder for Christmas, she has been busy taking video for you and has left it to me to get uploaded. I've finally worked out a format that Picassa is happy with so I will get a new link out to you soon with details on the video album.

Thats it for now, so sit back, relax and enjoy our offerings.

What do sea monsters eat?

Fish and ships

What runs around Paris in a tupperware box?

The Lunch Pack of Notre Dame!

What is the definition of an archaeologist?

Someone who's career is in ruins

What do you call a nervous witch?

A twitch

We are the first inline to celebrate anything in a given year, so let me be the first to wish you Merry Christmas on Christmas day itself!

Pics, updates and gossip coming during the week and probably a few posts later today too ;)

The grass, that is. It's been so dry here recently that the grass had already turned brown, however it was the first day of summer on the 1st December and, since then we've had quite a lot of rain (well comparatively, since we arrived). Some days have been drizzly and some have been baking hot sunshine with showers, but "it's been good for the ground".

The "heat" is very tolerable as its not humid with it, and I must say that its been really pleasant so far.

Things have been really busy recently with Birthday events and Christmas, but I will hopefully get some of our more recent expeditions uploaded soon.

Google street maps now offers you the opportunity to drive around our town at street level, and see what its like living in New Zealand. You can "drive" past the house on the way to the shops, call in at school or try my route to work, taking in the scenery of the hills to the east and the mountains to the west.

Further afield you can check out our shopping centers at Hornby and Riccarton - although they do seem to have picked out rush hour! I've never seen so much traffic there :) It certainly gives you a great persective

We've had a great time today. I'd give you an update, but we've had too much wine....well it was rather nice!

I am currently in the process of updating the family album with Birthday pictures, so be sure to check out the new ones.