It is now 2 months and 8 days since I last posted - talk about slack! And I've just looked at my last post, and what a coincidence: I currently have a pot of dahl cooking again! This time it is filled with cauliflower. David came out to the kitchen a few minutes ago, enticed by the aroma. I somehow reckon it'll be an early dinner...
Christmas this year was at Waitara Holiday Park with my sister Dee's extended family - and a cast of thousands. Well, at least 20 people. And as always far far far too much food. For a few days afterwards we all lived on leftovers.
I had made 4 containers of sticky toffee pudding (2 throwaway aluminium roasting pans, plus two 8"x8" cake tins - definitely in the realm of over catering given there were two massive pavlovas (Dee), about 30 meringues (Ann), berries, and cream and custard and sweets and chocolates. And that was just dessert!
I had made 2 pies filled with caramelised onions, brie and mushrooms. Very yummy. And mushroom sauce. and a roasting dish of cheese and onion tart. Not sure how many vegetarians I thought I was catering for apart from David and me. And there was ham and pulled brisket and lamb (I think - how would I know? I don't eat meat), plus heaps of salads and roast veges.
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| L-R Terry (Charlotte's brother), the twins and Charoltte opening presents |
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| The twins, Charlotte and Kurt - Kurt was in pain from overdoing the exercises that morning... |
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| David, Kirsty and Debs, Dee's daughter in law |
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| Kirsty, Debs and Jonathan with their daughters, Charlie and Eva. Nicola was on Santa duty |
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| Kurt set up the water slide and a number of kids had lots of fun. Almost no adults, apart from Terry, had a go. Amazing how sensible the daughter, niece and nephews have become ... |
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| A rainy day - cannot remember which one it was but it bucketed down - I was still in bed at this stage because why not? |
Mid summer Xmas often feels very strange to people from the northern hemisphere, but for us it feels exactly right. Because it was warm we all sat out on the deck, wearing shorts and t-shirts and jandals in the main. But of course plenty of decorations - Charlotte, Dee's daughter in law, absolutely loves decorating for Christmas and she goes all out making the house and deck look fabulous.
Backing up the truck a bit - David and I had collected Kirsty from the Waikanae station on 23 December, then waited while she shopped for the alcohol and some groceries she wanted for the few days we were going to be away; and then on we went. There was a stop at RJ's factory shop in Levin (Kirsty's request) to buy licorice: allsorts, chocolate licorice logs, ... Then on to Whanganui where we stopped to make and eat lunch and for me to have a short rest. Ordinarily, I would have rested for about an hour or so to give my arms some relaxation from extension required while driving, but a certain daughter was keen to get to catch up with her cousins. She was in contact with Nicola for the latter part of the journey, and even though we stopped outside Whanganui to buy strawberries and blueberries and once again at the supermarket in Waitara, it seemed imperative that we make all possible haste.
I saw why when we arrived - while David and I went into the office to check in, Kirsty went around through the side door, and then appeared in the office holding an espresso martini that had been prepared in advance of her arrival ...
The several days seemed to be filled with meals and not much activity, to be frank. I don't think I ventured outside the camp the whole time except to go to the pharmacy to collect a prescription for my brother and to the supermarket for the inevitable forgotten item.
David and I left late on Saturday afternoon and made the trip home in two chunks with a very brief stop to buy diesel at Stratford - cheapest I've seen it for ages at $1.79 a litre.We stopped at Hawera NZMCA campsite overnight and looked out our front window at Taranaki Maunga.
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| I love that mountain |
The next day we left there at about 7.20am, headed to Whanganui to make and have breakfast at Springvale again. Then onwards to Waikanae. A quick stop at the supermarket and to top up the tank with diesel, then back to Wren St. David, bless him, completely emptied the motorhome, I did put away the food though ... Then I had a sleep for the afternoon.
The following day was cleaning the motorhome day - I was on fridge cleaning and washing the outside of the mh. David cleaned all of the inside.
On Monday afternoon, I realised we had far too much cheese tart for the two of us to eat, so I invited Sue and Janet (neighbours and friends) over for an early dinner to help us out. Cheese tart (leftovers), lettuce salad, beetroot and carrot salad (leftovers), potato salad. Followed by ginger loaf (left over) and custard...
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| First time I've ever served custard in a wedge shape ... 😂 |
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| I wonder who bought that T-shirt for David? |
OK, I am pretty much all caught up, apart from that I started Aquamove again on Tuesday and it was lovely to be back in the pool laughing and exercising and laughing and singing - the acoustics in that building are amazing!
