Well what a tender moment...what the Christmas is all about.
Gangs all here...well, nearly. To the 'offshore ones' we were thinking of you!
Our very own Christmas angel. Kaitlyn 2yrs. (Confession...Deb & Leighton rule with the camera in many of the pikkies...& DVS & RMS)
OK...so here's Kariotahi beach, Waiuku. That's sea foam washing up in a vigorous high tide. (R took the pikkie of friend & self...it's all about the hat...)
A lone wanderer...'where's my horse?'
Lost my horse & nearly myself! Love the west coast surf ...
The sensible photographer on dry land (note the new acquisition in the background) Cheers to a great Boxing Day!
So then it was time to head off to our little corner of Paradise...Looking 'cool' to start off with...
Then I'm into it...bring on the beach, sandcastles, sea....FUN!
Especially with my Grandad...he's the bomb!
Speaking of whom....no, wait...it's.... Superswimmer, emerging from 'just another morning' in the briny...
Now this CAN'T be the same person...transformed into 'Fergie-man' (for those less knowledgeable, it's an old model Ferguson tractor like the farm one we had, back in the day) RMS & DVS went for a ramble about the place...tractors like these(usually more updated!)are everywhere to tow the boat trailers...one day...
So now it's chillin time & praps there's a wee bit more of a look of ...Grand--...no, RMS!
So there's others who enjoy a good scrimmage in the sand...& surf...(mixture of family & friend)
Jonathan &
Peter (13yrs)
Then the bro's (2 sets!) had to show what it's really all about in the surf. Just for fun, mind...it's not a competition...yea right! Must admit, they're a fine looking bunch..age v youth. (It was the annual 1.8km swim from one beach to another. About 50 participants. DVS came 11th, followed closely by the others.)
Well there's other water to have fun in doncha know! Time for a 'bath' to wash of all that salt & sand...
In amongst all the activities, there was fish preparation going on, thanks to a bro-in-law (admittedly it was a fish bought at an auction...for a good cause...local voluntary Fire Station)
Furniture upholstering...
Demonstrating...(New Chum Beach preservation. It's 15mins to drive to Whangapoua beach then you walk around the rocks/point to another Paradise. Strong sounds of developers moving in, albeit up from the beach...but....)
Phil Keoghan was there, he was the MC (NZ export to the States...'The Amazing Race' dude. He holidays in Matarangi every year)
Before being part of the letter M. Note...handy to have had a swim beforehand & not swelter while waiting to be organised.
Another organiser/overseer...having fun on the inside....
Starting to take shape...we're actually off pikkie to the right. The Auckland Herald captured a great shot of ' John Key Save Me! New Chum Beach.'
Of course the main event was the announcement of Steven & Ji Huyhn's engagement. On New Years Eve. Sweet. God works miracles. (Steven, 2 1/2 yrs after 'the fall')
Special... Our very own Mr NZ & Miss Korea (Ji was one of RMS & JS's first Homestays, back in the day...)
No celebration at a beach is complete without a BBQ...& Master Chef...
The bro's, a fiance & a niece...nice!
The old...er guard 'helping'....
Into the New Year it was time for the last of the gathering to head back to the city. (Spot the ones happy to stay on another night/day...)
Backing up a bit...time for another Master Chef to do his thing...Cheers to another wonderful time in Paradise!
Health & happiness to you all ...Leave you with a parting shot of Miss Matarangi...
