Saturday was our designated Christmas Day with Andy and Sally. The sun was shining and it was hot so we headed off to the farmers' market to make sure that we had adequate provisions. The market was as busy as it had been the week before and so we strolled in the sunshine, purchasing avocados and bread , alongside small carrots and beans. The shopping done we returned home for a well earned rest.
The rest of the day was spent preparing the feast we were to have in the evening. We sat late in the afternoon enjoying the late afternoon sunshine chatting as we had decided to eat in the evening when it would be cooler.
The opening of a bottle of champagne proved the stimulus for Father Christmas to arrive in the form of Philip who having erected and decorated the tree, managed to find a sack of presents.
The tree decoration was interesting as Philip was entrusted with it but he had no chance as the tour manager and Sally were baying at the door to finish the process. As soon as he had left the scene the two women leapt at it with abandon and totally reorganised it. The final tree looked fantastic and all parties declared themselves satisfied.
Philip did a great job of handing out presents which we opened out on the deck before we headed in for dinner. Asparagus and snapper for starters, roast lamb and veg for mains and pavlova for desert.
The food and wine flowed freely and we pulled our crackers and wore our paper hats. At least this time it didn't rain for our Christmas down under.
The wine and conversation flowed and all had a jolly evening.
There is something very strange about celebrating Christmas under a blue sky sat under a hot sun. All the customs are the same but it just doesn't feel quite right. It is very hard to explain! Gisborne itself is obviously in the throes of Christmas, trees and lights abound, the window decorations are there and people wear silly Santa hats, but the weather makes it seem as though it should be a mid summer celebration.