A Kiwi Christmas- BBQ, Beach and Bungy!

Once again, my apologies for the lack of bloggage- very busy at work!

Jack and Beth were due to fly out in the midst of the worst snow conditions seen in the UK for years. It was very touch and go, but at last they made it!

 Still jet lagged here, but starting to get into the Kiwi way of life: a quick walk around the Mount.

 The Balding Christmas Family Photo looks a little different this year.

Some things only change slightly. Molly is still a poseur and the tree is similar, although with the addition of some tropical trimmings.

Father Christmas visited as usual, although he was reported to have been on a surfboard with fur-trimmed red speedos!

Molly loved her presents....

Beth had a new hat to protect against the sun.

Jack was converted to a Kiwi bloke complete with Floppy Hat and Jandles!

Here I am modelling the very latest in humourous baldist t-shirts (thanks Sis!)

Jack found the perfect present for Loo- jelly fish sting patch!

Then it was off to the beach- not sure if Jack was taking a call or trying to control flyaway hair.

Beth was straight into the body boarding.

Whilst Father took a well earned rest.

Catching waves....

.......even an old person!

Jack was not to be out-done by his sisters.

Surfer chicks rule!

Breathe in!

Meanwhile Loo is hard at work on a bottle of Tui!

Then back to the house for the Christmas Day Barbie: complete with roasted Kumura!

The Kids decided they wanted some excitement. Jack wanted to bungy jump and the girls fancied free-falling.

This is the free-fall unit- a jet engine under a trampoline!

I love you hun, be safe!

You could smell the fear!

Still, it didn't stop her posing.

Nice outfits- I think last worn by Bucks Fizz in the 80s!

It looks fun.....

Oh no, I can't believe we signed up for this!

Beth is up first- good position.

A little assistance required for stability.

And then she's off- free-falling!

Then it's Molly's turn...

My goodness, she went up quickly....

Wow, she's so light, there's no stopping her....

Help me get her down!

I did it!                                                   So did I!

A little post flight relaxation.

You can not come to NZ without going on a bungy, can you?

It seemed like a good idea at the time....

I'm still happy with my decision on the way up.....

O.M.G!

Woohoo!!!!!!!

Sweet as.

Today, I became a man.

Time for another?

No, think I need a little post-jump relaxation.

Happy Christmas from New Zealand, look out for the
New Year Blog!

Unpacked at last (almost) and on the move again!

We have had a busy couple of weeks, hence the lack of blog activity.

The house now looks like a home

Molly's room is all pinked up.

Another flamingo appears

Kylie no longer has a shrine!

Dining room-still need to unwrap the table!

Bathrooms, bedrooms and even the stairwell, no 

area is spared from Loo's magic touch! 

With one exception, the boxes in the double garage are still be unpacked!













We still had the odd spare moment to pop across to the beach...



Molly is practising her surfing poses.




And is still incredibly excited when she sees the water!

 Last Tuesday we all travelled up to Auckland so that I could have a job interview (same company) and Loo and Molly could look at the area.

We stopped for a healthy picnic on the Waikato plain on the way up.




Including bright blue doughnuts!








Loo had booked the motel, as I did the last one (Sky City- very nice!) She chose The Olive Tree Motel. Not many pictures of rooms on the internet- I wonder why?

This was a review that it would have been wise of her to read prior to booking:

The Bates Motel had nothing on this place, but at least it had a lovely view, this is Molly on the balcony and the other picture is the cell.

It was even too much cleaning for Loo!

The fantastic thing was, she had booked it, so she couldn't really complain! Can you imagine what would have happened if I had booked it?

The presentation and interview went very well and I have been offered the position-  at last a permanent home! 

We are looking to live in the vicinity of a place called Browns Bay on the north east shore.

As you can see, it is a beautiful place.

 And it is only a 20 minute drive into Auckland CBD (Central Business District- City Centre) and has a lot more life than Papamoa.

The water was as warm as I have ever known it in the UK and it is early spring. Molly obviously took the chance for a swim.

Meanwhile, back on Papamoa Beach.

Molly's surfing lessons are going really well.......

It has been great to talk to everyone on Skype and Facebook, now we have broadband at home. If you are yet to speak, give us a ring, our ID is kevinandloo.

Bye for now,

Kevin.