Advertisement
Published: December 27th 2013
Edit Blog Post
Salut !
First Vin Chaud of the ski season...& no snow (or skis) Following the stunning beauty of Kaikoura and our Xmas day sunshine, we started boxing day watching albatross and whale, and finished off in the middle of a francophile filled volcano cone. Like an ice cream but without the flake. Apparently the French 'bought it' from the Maori in 1838...not in the military sense, you understand...in fact in that sense the Maori 'bought it' from a rival Maori tribe, virtually wiping out the locals, and somehow the British then nipped in and nicked it from everyone..under a sleight of hand called the treaty of Waitangi. Any roads, the subsequent descendants of the original FESMs decided to preserve their heritage and, it has to be said, have slightly overdone it. A beautiful South eastern NZ seaside town ( which does, actually sit in an extinct…we hope..volcano), has rues in place of streets, a gendarmerie, boucherie, and a garage selling essence. Every shop, pub and cafe ooze Charles Aznavour and Gigi, and are decorated with St Moritz and Chamonix ski posters. And yet, amongst all this Francomania, no one understood mon bon parle francais. Zut Alors!. Admittedly I'd had a few Bollys et Pernod's in between Gouluais et escargot d'alioli.....but merdre..you'd think they would
RC kirk in Akaroa
Sign outside.. 'Bring your own candle'. Must have forgot to pay the leckie bill at least try.. No, instead they all ran away waving white flags.
Beautiful sunshine when we arrived yesterday and we made the most of it, sipping Macs Malt and nibbling bacon and egg burgers in le petite bistro in plein aire. The Maitre'd's maman was visiting to help over Noel, and was very chatty, ending up presenting us with a tub of her home made strawberry jam. She was of Scots descent. Otherwise it might have been escargot marmalade.
Today, however, il pleut et il pleut encore....but on the positive side, it vindicated the decision to pack the Goretex! We managed to while away the day walking around this stunning wee town and inspecting various hospitality establishments, including a cosy little, but heavily francofied, parlour, complete with log fire and house trained dogs, advertising the specialty of the day..mulled wine and Xmas pies. No brainer on a wet, chilly summers afternoon. Was actually a very chic and bijou wine tasting front for their vineyard up the hill but i wasnt to know that, and was either their front room or a very close facsimile thereof. As I strode up in my wet boots and tramping gear and asked
Typical Akaroan Building
Quake proof...but needs some TLC (very politely, i thought) for a pint of mulled wine and the house cab sav., garcon, s'il vous plait., whilst draping the wet jacket and overbreeks over the chaise longue, I was conscious of Shirley trying to merge into the Bayeux Tapestry adorning the rear wall. She's a sensitive soul and tends to notice things just before I do. Anyway, I thought it was very nice, if not just a tad pretentious. We managed to get through the window just before the dobermans reached us. I jest. I managed to get through the window just before Shirley reached me with what I considered to be a very good reproduction of a pre Revolution rapier, inscribed by Louis XV. Yes, it was that close.
Managed to Skype Brian & Sandra this am and catch up on things back home. Having a great trip, no mistake, but do sometimes feel a bit remote from family & good friends especially this time of year. It was good to catch up and also to know that our house is still standing. May need to recheck that in a week however, as Craig, Louise and kids Hogmanaying in Edzell this year. Just kidding (I
Alo alo alo
Not now, Cato...ahm hoelding a buem. think)... We are very glad that they can use the house in our absence, and hopefully get away from their current problems for a while, whilst meeting up with their old Brechin friends. Enjoy the Vestry...just hide my Balblair first, please!
Also Kelly and Cris hogmanaying in the Port.....enjoy....Mo-Bothan needs a good airing!
Last day in NZ tomorrow before taking to the skies again from Christchurch, and hopefully coming down gently in Fiji, where we will be hogmanaying.....12 hours before you guys. Bula!
NZ has been truly awesome, but now looking forward to some sunshine and warmth again. The Maori called NZ, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud. These boys knew a thing or two.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.104s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 12; qc: 60; dbt: 0.0509s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Douglas Sparks
non-member comment
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Hi Guys, Looks like you're having the time of your lives, and hopefully as we speak you might even have a wee drink in your hands. It wont be long now before we start getting ready for Edzell GC. It might be a bit of a struggle but we will try and toast your good health on more than one occasion this evening!!! That might even mean mixing red wine and lager (HELP!!) Continue to have an amazing trip. Happy New Year with all our love Douglas & Janet xxxx