Kia ora, bro!

How Christmassy do I feel? I looked out the window across some sunny fields on Thursday and my first thought was "surely Wimbledon is soon". That's how Christmassy I feel! 

But I'm still looking forward to throwing a butterflied chicken on the BBQ and drinking some beers chilled in a mountain stream anyway. 

During our three week South Island adventure we're spending 4 nights with some old friends of mine from Japan - Nick & Kate and Mark & Janelle, plus their lovely kids. Nick was flying in to Auckland today from Prague with a 10 hour layover before catching a flight down to Masterton. Could well be the smallest domestic plane ever. When asking if his seat was aisle or window, it turns out each seat is both...!

So - we dusted off the sign writing skills, chauffeur suit and put the diplomatic plates on the van to pick up our VIP.

Pretty perky after 24 hours of travelling
Welcome to the South Pacific!

 First up - jump in the van and head out to one of our favourite spots - the Waitakere Ranges.

Both older, both still dorks.

And down to the wild western side of NZ for a well earned coffee and some big waves rolling in from the Tasman.

Oh so civilised. NYE will be the same, right?

And a quick climb up Lion Rock

Bus tour complete, back in the van and to our apartment for a bit of lunch and a 12k run. We'll cure the boy of jet lag!

Awesome to see you Nick. Can't wait to be joined by the rest of the J crew in two weeks...