Where did 2009 go, and to some extent the last 10 years. I know that they have been an amazing adventure that I never dreamed possible, and that makes me wonder what the next 10 will hold. The end of last year was a whirlwind, with the potential of losing my job, which turned into a promotion, which will definitely push me out of my comfort zone and lead to more pressure for the next 12 months. So here we are.
James and I definitely needed the break we have had over Christmas, and I really wish that it wasn't over yet. The weekend before Christmas we celebrated James' birthday - firstly with his office party (they got him a lovely cake) and then with an Indian at our favourite new restaurant in Titirangi - Masala - with the Wroes. It was lovely to catch up with them and spend a summer evening in the Fringes of Heaven.
On Wed 23 December we headed to work, feeling it would be a miracle to get to the other end of the day, and in the end we didn't leave Auckland till almost 5pm, but the traffic was fabulous and we were in Rotorua for about 8.30pm. We headed to the Pig & Whistle and had a couple of pints of cider (something that NZ has discovered in force over the last few months). I was tipsy as we rolled into bed.
On Christmas Eve we meandered down to Gisborne and checked into our apartment - it all felt very grown up. We wandered over to the Campsite to find Bruce and Denise and the rest of the gang arrived. We didn't know them all, but it was lovely to spend Xmas day with 14 people in 30 degree sunny weather on campsite which felt like being in France.
I couldn't believe I was swimming in the sea with Moko the dolphin on Christmas day, but there I was. The next few days in Gisborne were wonderful, time on the beach, in the sea, with friends, tasting wine and relaxing. Such a wonderful way to farewell the Clarkes as they head off to Melbourne.
The trip north around the East Coast was stunning. We had a lovely night in Hicks Bay with homemade burgers and wine from Tolaga Bay.
Much of our time in the East Cape Wineries was a little depressing as the tale of Pernod Riccard unfolded. Montana Wines sold out to PR a couple of years ago and this year they dropped most of their growers in Gisborne, and the story goes like this. They want to protect their Jacobs Creek sparkling (which is rubbish) and in the UK Lindauer was becoming more popular (a $ or so more expensive). Most of the grapes come from Gisborne so they dropped the growers!!! An additional pressure came from Marlborough and the Sav Blanc glut of 2008 and the only thing those grapes are good for is the new Sav Lindauer Bubbles - which is really nice, and will probably be really popular in the UK and take over from Jacobs Creek (which is rubbish - did I mention that???). It all puts me in a moral quandry on what to drink???? Other than clearly not Jacobs Creek - protecting a brand which is not as popular is stupid in my mind, but then I guess another batch of growers would be wiped out - just not in NZ.
From Hicks Bay we took a long day to drive back to sunny Auckland and we have spent the last week at home. This time as been wonderful to just sort out life, and we are nearly there. Time to look at the living room today. James has been busy doing stuff on the veranda and the extension is in full swing.
Then back to work, and this time will become a distant memory all too soon. Penny and Mike arrive soon which will be lovely, then Peter and Liz. We hope to get to Melbourne in April and Argentina in August.
My prayer for this year is that we will live life simply, that work will not rule my life, that I will find a rhythm and pace to this new job. I'd like to stay fit and healthy, and spend time with my husband and good friends. To 2010!!!