Xmas time in Taranaki

Ho, Ho, Ho...

Merry Xmas to you all,

My first summer xmas was quite an experience. People tend to mainly celebrate xmas day in EnZed, it seems. While xmas eve is as good excuse as any to load up on a few - and a few more - drinks until everything shuts down around midnight ... on account of xmas.

So, this year, I was on the other side of the world. Instead of cold and rain/snow, sun and surf were on the menu. With fellow orphans of Europe and a token Kiwi, we spent the eve and following day in Oekura, about 10km south of New Plymouth, where many glasses were drunk, and most people too soon after.

On the 25th, I awoke feeling a little worse for wear, went for a run to clear the spirits, then for a surf. Yes, a surf on xmas day, with santa hats on, an absolutely fantastic feeling.

Lunch was a regal affair, Idris, our Welsh host, conjured up a feast of turkey, roast potatoes and parsnips, vegetables, gravy, and mash.

The Feast, with Idris' Welsh friends, Harry, Tom, Tina, Olly, Idris cutting up the Banofee pie, and Cat was there as well but hiding behind Tina.

The best was saved for last as Idris brought out a home made Banofee pie. For those unfamiliar with Banofee, it is a biscuit base cream pie with BANanas and tOFEE = BANOFEE. Amazing stuff. After a post-prandial game of Cranium to keep the brains ticking over, Idris, Harry, Tom and I looked out at the beach 50 yards from the house. The wind had died and the waves rolled in unhurried and inviting. We took longboards out and had a le-gen-da- "wait for it" -ry surf session til dusk. And that was my merry xmas day, à la Taranaki.

The setting sun, the chillin' behind the break, and photo evidence of me on a wave.

Idris having a stretch on a long wave

On Boxing day, further surf was riden in the morning, after a heartwarming Skype conference with the Boston Bolands. In the evening, we went to Pukekura park where live music and concerts are being held every day well into February. The park is lit up at night with very colourful displays which set a rather fairytale-like scenery.

The Festival of Lights in Pukekura Park

Managed to get up the next day for my morning run, at 7 am, with the Marathon Clinic group, the New Plymouth Runners and Walkers Club. After which i went straight back to bed. Back in the Park that evening, a lively Irish music group, full of talented Kiwi musicians played some classic Irish and Scottish ballads to much aplause and singalong. A testament to the Celtic roots of a large segment of the population of Taranaki.

18 holes of terrible golf on the sunday were followed by a career-best - and only - time at the Bell Block 10km run. This was a local event, part of a summer 10km run series. I ran it flat out to see how fast i could go with my marathon training. The first 1km I spent running behind a little kid who was really setting quite a testing pace, I eventually overtook her and got halfway (5km) in 20 minutes. The second half was a little more about hanging in there and I finished the whole thing in 42min and 58secs. As I approached the finishing straight I saw the seconds ticking towards 43 mins so put my foot - or feet- down and sprinted the rest to make it just under that mark.

The evening was again spent in the refreshing environment of Pukekura Park for an outdoor movie.

All this in just 4 days...