Not a bad way to spend christmas day hey?!?

So much for little and often .... this is going to be a mammouth update, sorry.

Christmas seems a good place to start; work was not as quiet as everyone predicted however as you can see from the photo there was enough time a for a BBQ on the beach and a paddle ( scallops for christmas dinner was amazing!!). Vicky is a girl I work with and that is Nick her fiance.

Then in the evening a proper xmas dinner as prepared by the one and only Yasmin before a final stint at work finally going home at Oh 10pm!!

Boxing day at the cricket 20:20 just never materialised due to a 12 hour day at work bummer!! I was actually gutted i was quite excited by the idea of cricket, ( maybe i was sick or something?)

In the run up to christmas I enjoyed carols at the cathedral, christmas in the park ( we got very wet) , and i climbed rangitoto ( an island volcacno 20mins out in auckland harbour).

and I also spent a very pleasant weekend of xmas eve in the coromandel with a friend of mines family which was lovely i was pat of the secret santa and went to the family bbq where the kids raced rond on quad bikes in the orchard and we ate oysters mussels adn cray fish which had be dived for by members of the family that morning!!! Amazing!! I also was fascinatd by the massive eel that lived in the stream at the bottom of the garden wwhich we fed dog food? ... but the dogs "hunting" dogs lived in cages which upset me no end .... they hunt for wild pigs?!

New year was also in a different part of the coromandel camping at a bach ( see kiwiwana dictionary at the end) with Yas, Neil and co. this was fun but i have to admit to a little homesickness at this point!!

January the height of summer ... yes i know that sounds wierd ...... has been absolutely none stop!!!

Bev was here for most of January which was such good fun:

we went to see circ de soliel (amazing you must must must go if you ever get the chance!)

went to big day out (nz equivalent of V festival but just for 1 day where the killers, evermore and the streets were the highlights)

went to the bay of islands where i got my first swim in the sea, we kayaked, drank wine, and did a bus trip to see where the oceans meet now i'll prob get it wrong but i know its def the tamsin and i think the pacific?? It is amazing ... you can actually see them meeting!!!! (see below)

we had dinner in the revolving restaurant at the top of the sky tower.

we went to see the mens Tennis open finals and oh did it rain!!! But we made the telly!!

we went rock climbing

we went to an observatory to learn about the stars and happened to hit on to see a comet which will not be here again for anouther 270 years ... it was amazing!!

we went to some "infinity pools" rather disapointing we expected luxury spa and got scarboroughs "splash"

we had a few parties a few nights out a few bbqs ate far too much and enjoyed the wine, and Bevs main disapointment was that she didn't get her curry "on-a-tray" ..... oh Bev!!!

Thank you Bev some amazing memories!!

Caroline and I have continued our exploring:

finding a deserted beach in the middle of the city where we rock pooled ate oysters freash from the rocks and caroline rather spectacularly fell splat in asome very slippy mud!!

walking to a waterfall at whangamata

watching the surf lifesaver championships at waihi beach staying in a wonky tent and meeting some random friends to play games with in their amazing house on the beach till 3am followed by a starlight spa!!!! Seeing the most amazing sunsets and moonrises. Followed by a spa at a second luxury bach on the beach at parmanui on the way home and a bbq.

Seeing hooberstank in concert ( i cried when they palyed the reason my all time fav song a real treat!!)

Dinner parties and bbqs galore.

Yoga, and body jam!!

Waiheke wine festival, Devenport wine festival, Mission Bay jazz festival......... all amazing!!!

Zoo music ... Nathan Haimes at the zoo in a bandstand .... awsome!!!!!!

and in between all this work has been really busy with some fascinating and challenging patients however this week was only the second full week i worked since mid december .... perfect life!!!

This weeks treat is snow patrol on thursday ... then sue arrives next week ... bring it on!!!

We have a new flatmate Clementine who is great fun and keeps us entertained!

The boys got engaged on xmas day and are planning a civil union for next Jan which will be great.

I am sure i missed out loads but you get the gist life is good and i am having fun!!

Dictionary:

Bach: New zealand holiday home on the beach often old and rickerty though some are very luxurious! Many handed down through generations.

Puku: protruding tummy.

Jandels: means japaneese sandals aka flip flops ( hint you call them that over here the kiwis disolve in giggles!!)

YesYesYesNo: No

Both commonly used by farmer types!!!

NoNoNoYes: Yes

and finally a prize is on offer here for anyone who knows what Twink is the kiwi word for!? (answers by email!)

And last but not least the thank yous ... to all for my xmas cards and pressies.

It was wierd being away from all your loved ones at xmas, i feeel as if i somehow missed out on someting this year despite having a great time.

and for those of you who always ask .... all of you .... my love life is on hold till after sarahs wedding ... i haven't got time!!!

love and hugs all round

Ruth xxxxxxxx