Day 179 - Giant macrocarpa

Giant macrocarpa tree

Day 178 - Race day

Chatham Island Race Day

Wild Eye bringing up the rear

Day 177 - Basalt columns

Basalt columns

The basalt columns are a naturally occurring area of volcanic rock which can be seen when out towards the western side of Chatham Island. Erosion has diminished their height over the years. However, the columns are still a remarkable sight to see.

Day 176 - Gingerbread house

Gingerbread house

Made by my cousin for Christmas and enjoyed by children of all ages

Day 175 - Anglican church

Anglican church

Chatham Island

This is the tiny Anglican church on Chatham Island, the site of four family baptisms on Christmas Day. The service started out informally and then deteriorated rapidly with two of the children being baptised protesting loudly and numerous parents and godparents trying to collectively calm down an hysterical crescendo of screams! All of my father's siblings were baptised at this church, many of my cousins, and now most of their own children. It only seats about 30 people, almost the number of family members who were present at the baptism that day.

Day 174 - Flounder

Flounder

Freshly caught and cooked for breakfast

Day 173 - Crayfish

Crayfish

Freshly caught and ready for cooking

One of many delicious crayfish meals during our holiday

Day 172 - Paua shell jar

Paua shell jar

This jar full of paua shell fragments sits on the corner of my grandparents' grave as a reminder of their love for the sea (Grandad was a fisherman) and Grandma's Maori heritage.

Day 171 - Wedding dress

Wedding dress

This is my sister-in-law's wedding dress in the back of the plane we flew to the Chatham Islands in. The air hostess was so excited to see a wedding dressing hanging in the cargo hold that she whipped out her camera as proof for when she told the story to others! We thought it was a great photo opportunity, too.

Day 170 - Christmas tree

Our Christmas tree

It's rather demure this year, as we will be away for the big day, but the sentiment is just the same - and the pile of presents is growing!

Day 169 - Santa and Mrs Claus

Santa and Mrs Claus

Already sharing the Christmas spirit

Looks like Santa had a go at putting on Mrs Claus' makeup!

Day 168 - Gingerbread decorations

 

Gingerbread decorations

Fresh from the oven

Day 167 - Kids' camping chairs

 

Kids' camping chairs

I want one!

Day 166 - Buzzy bee ride

Buzzy bee ride

My 21-month-old nephew would be thrilled!

Day 165 - Knight in unpolished armour

Knight in unpolished armour

Coming to the rescue!

Day 164 - Christmas tree

Christmas tree

Midland Park, Wellington

Day 163 - Lemon

Little lemon

Look closely or you'll miss it!

The first lemon to survive from my sweetie's lemon tree - almost as big as a $1 coin ...

Day 162 - Sunset

 

Sunset

I rushed outside as I saw the last of today's sun illuminating my front windows. Unfortunately, my camera couldn't do justice to the sunset over Cook Strait. I tried to zoom and capture the little rings of light peeking through the clouds. It was a moment of true beauty.