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| The view from our tent - Wainui Beach, Gisborne |
It has been really nice to have that peaceful easy holiday feeling for most of this month. There is nothing like the restorative value of having friends & family around to help relax & unwind. The Nigella Inspired 'Gays & Strays' Christmas day was a huge success with excellent company, some stunning food & even better wines consumed. The boys had a wonderful time, being spoiled rotten of course.
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| Just a snippet of the Italian fare from Christmas day |
Then just as the dishes got dry we packed up & headed north to my brothers in Gisborne. His place on the beach at Wainui - dubbed 'Stu's Bar & Grill' - is about as quintessentially kiwi as it gets. With us tenting on the lawn, kids everywhere, copious amounts of sunshine, surf & great company. Every night the boys (including Dr. Phil & Renly) collapsed into their bed exhausted.
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| Camp Wainui on New Years Day |
It's weird returning to Gisborne now after so long away. I just loved being back, but for the first time I didn't feel like I was heading 'home', but travelling to see those that I love & miss.
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| A selection of some of the Hihi whites from 2013 |
One of those friends i caught up with was Andy Nimmo from
Hihi wines. I have known Andy for pretty much as long as he has been in Gisborne & have followed the development of Hihi keenly. Dr. Phil & I went out for a tasting of the 2013 white which have just been released & they are simply stunning. If you are looking to try something different then Andy's your man. Like me, he has a keen interest in aromatic & varetal wines.
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| This is my idea of 'camp cooking' - Paella Waipatiki style! |
His whites this year include Gold medal winning Pinot Gris & Viognier, as well as his lush Gisborne Gewurztraminer & the fabulous Albrarino. the latter being a wine & especially fell in love with over the holidays as it is the perfect wine to match paella - something I got right into as the paella pan was my Christmas pressie from Dr Phil & the boys.
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| Waipatiki famous Redwood walk - Hugo was looking for Ewoks! |
After the Gisborne sojourn was over we had a few days at home to resupply then headed up the road to Waipatiki for our annual week camping there. I love this week as it was a real kick back & blob week for us all. The boys had a great time making new friends around the campsite & I even ran into an old friend that I hadn't seen for the best part of 20 years - brilliant!
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| My first project for 2014 - Brickless by Martina behm |
I also got a little bit of knitting done - not as much as in previous years, but I completed my homespun Brickless scarf. It was so nice to see the development of the graduations of colour of this yarn. I am now trying to get inspired into my first big 'me' project for the year & I also have slated something for Dr. Phil. I just need to get cast on & moving!
