Eltham - Day 1 - Friday 23rd December

Written 23rd December

On Friday, 23rd December I attempted to get an early start to the day, but apparently I was too tired from previous days of preparation! Anyway the rest of my family did get up early (for them lol! =)), and organised the rest of our belongings that we hadn’t been able to pack the day before. We managed to leave home about 9:15am, after a slight delay as Dad didn’t like the fact that the back window was entirely blocked!

I passed the time by reading Courageous, a very interesting book! Can't wait for the movie to come out.... Hmm I was wishing I understood Spanish though! =)

Not too far into the trip Diana (6) asked: “Are we nearly there yet?” Wow was I glad it was only a six-hour trip to Eltham, not far from New Plymouth, rather than the the nine-hour trip to Wellington which we have done nearly ever year for as long as I can remember!

Around 1pm we had a 1-hour lunch stop in Mokau. Then back on the road, and I let Diana have my camera to take photos and videos. Need I say that the batteries were dead when she’d finished? Lol!

Here are a couple of pics from the drive:



A tunnel we drove through...

Mount Taranaki (aka. Mount Egmont)

 

Uncle Mike's number plate!

We took a slightly round-about trip, through New Plymouth, to pick up some boxes of Favourites my uncle needed for his shop (Eltham Four Square). About 4pm we delivered the Favourites, and followed my uncle, with his awesome number plate, to the campground we and our extended family were staying at – Eltham Presbyterian Campground. After inspecting much of the complex, we finally chose a cabin, brought our many bags and suitcases in, and readied our beds for when we would come in late and tired.

Soon Nana and Aunty Sonia arrived, and we just sat and talked for a while, apart from an all-out search for Maria (21-months) when no one new where she was; and Dad was worried because there is a stream not far away. We continued talking until Uncle Mike had not only come back(he’d gone home for a little while), but also barbequed the sausages and prepared the rest of dinner. All of us then went down to the hall, complete with kitchen, tables and chairs.

After dinner Uncle Mike brought out all the Christmas decorations which we helped put up, then readied tressle tables and chairs for the expected 35 people.

When it got a bit later Uncle Mike, Aunty Sonia, Nana, and Lucus (my 3-year-old cousin) left for Uncle Mike and Aunty Sonia’s house, and we began our long routine in preparation for bed! It is now 11:19 and, obviously I guess (seeing as I’m writing this!), we havn’t finished the routine yet!

So I’m typing this on my new laptop (picked it up on Wednesday lol!), listening to the Manna Worship Album #3(?) I think. Jarrod has just climbed into his top-bunk bed (he was sitting next to me watching me type), Mum is trying to put Maria to sleep, and everyone else is in bed. I’m also about to head there, as yes I’m VERY tired!

Tomorrow we’re expecting Uncle Bill, Aunty Melissa, Olivia (12) and Harrison (8) to arrive sometime in the afternoon, and Uncle Marty, Aunty Denise, Mitch (18) and Kurt (16) around 9pm. Uncle Mike, Aunty Sonia, Lucus, Nana, and some of Aunty Sonia’s family are also coming to stay at this campground.

Well I’m going to bed now (11:29) so,

G’night everyone!

Love Bee =)

Season's Greetings

Hey Everyone,

Season's Greetings! =)

Well we are leaving for New Plymouth anytime now! Hopefully  I can post heaps about it when we get back.

Cya,
Bee
PS: Uncle Pete wanted me to say how long it took me to get out of bed this morning and what a grumpy grumpy horrible young lady I will be later in the day. 

PPS  Uncle Pete was right!

Life

Hey Everyone,

A few of my friends keep asking me not to try and post about all the things we've been doing in the last few months, but instead to post about what we're doing now. Although I won't make any promises about not still trying to post about the rest of this year, I will tell you what we're doing now.

Uncle Pete arrived home from his World Trip on the Thursday the 9th of December, and started working with Dad the next Monday.

It is 7:23pm right now, and Mum, Dad and I  will be going shopping in a few minutes for Xmas pressents for Dad's side of the family who live in Wellington.

On Friday we are intending to go to New Plymouth to spend Christmas with Dad's family, and on Monday continue down to Wellington. We are scheduled to arrive home on New Year's Eve.
One of Dad's brothers bought a 4 Square in Eltham which is just out of New Plymouth (sorry I wasn't able to make sense of Mum and Dad's description of how far); and the rest of the family will come up from Wellington so we will all be together in New Plymouth.

Anyway I think Mum and Dad are ready to go, hopefully I can post again soon =)
Cya
<3 Bee