Eltham - Day 4 - Monday 26th December

Written December 26th


Today everyone was up earlier. Dad and Jarrod, along with some of my uncles and cousins, went to my uncle’s shop (Eltham 4 Square) to help unload the stock of some pallets and put it in the racking, before I was even awake. Danielle and Diana were in one of their ‘loud’ moods, which means no one else is allowed to sleep! So yeah anyway, I finally stopped trying to sleep and got up and ready to brave the ancient toaster here! {Sorry, I'm not sure I have a photo of it....}

After breakfast I just sat around and talked and whatever, then when the men arrived back we had drinks and cookies (mini Cookie Time Cookies). The men then ditched us again to play 12 holes of golf, and the rest of us raided the fridge for leftovers from the Christmas dinner that we could have for lunch. We have HEAPS of leftovers! =) In the afternoon, I helped prepare some stuff for dessert, sorted my washing and put it in the machine (seriously how on earth do you use a front loader?!?), then read Soul Surfer cover to cover! Good book! =D By the time I’d finished the book, the men were back and dinner was ready – more leftovers, and a few new things.

After dinner I went to the shop with Uncle Mike, he just had a couple of things to do, and I got a free coke...sweet!

When we got back we had dessert and talked..again...! When Uncle Mike found out that the shop alarm had gone off, Dad rounded up about five guys I think, and they all went to have a look, but found nothing (yay I didn’t miss any action... *grin*). When they returned, the played with the balls for ages, then returned to the shop to have another look..I’m not sure whether the alarm went of again or not.

Some of us sat around talking, and others watched Cars. The nana’s seemed captivated! Lol

Later on we went to the kitchen for a drink (and I wanted a snack...), and showed off my laptop a bit (the idea was to write this while I was having my drink but hey!), and my cousin Kurt managed to put one of the keys back on my laptop (I’m not entirely sure how it came off, but I may have knocked it with my nails or something).

When I was, finally, ready for bed, I folded the washing, and then I sat down to write this. And here I am! I’m listening to my Manna Worship CD (yes, again!), and I’m kind of thinking I would love to pick the guitar up again...anyone volunteer to give me lessons (Preferably a former student of Jules Riding...)? Lol!

G’night everyone =D

Bee

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 =)