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We are back from our “traditional” walk.
A beautiful day in the sun, not much wind, the sea looking beautiful, and the company wonderful.

Hello, the Christmas Day has arrived.

Yesterday we jumped into the activities. I finished work early, and drove past the shopping centre that was heaving with last minute buyers; one day the “credit crunch” did not apply. We went to Mass at St Bens with carols and a reading and partial acting of the nativity.
Then it was home for bubbles and family meal, and listening to Johnny Walker on Radio 2 via ‘tinternet. Along with the music and banter, it was fun listening to the traffic reports!
I spoke to Anthony and was accused of having had too much Communion wine.

Overnight Santa arrived, and amazingly Isaac was still deserving of presents. The boys left out his whisky and mince pies, which he dutifully consumed on arrival. The reindeer also had some carrots.

The sun is coming out now to make it look more like a “Downunder” Christmas. Breakfast has been cooked on the barby. The Santa presents have been opened, the others are bulging under the “enormous” tree.

We are just about to go out for our walk on the beach, with more pressies and food and wine to come. Of course, we plan to watch the Christmas Day movie on the television later on.
All very familiar.

Merry Christmas to all.

XXXXX

Joe would like his stats acknowledged

So for 6 games, 19 overs, taking 13 wickets at 6.0.
He was the highest wicket taker, though the next lad took 11 at 5.3.

Joe’s batting not quite so impressive-an average of 9, with an aggregate of 18. He was good at staying in and letting the bloke at the other end take the strike.

Cricket “tour” in January then a trial for his new school. We will see how he fares then.

As well as being close to Christmas, as well as summer approaching, it is also the end of the academic year.
Joe finished at St. Bens today, and next term is off to college to the wider world of St. Patricks, the oldest Catholic boys college in New Zealand. Last Friday was the leavers mass, which I missed because of work, though Sara was there to cry along with the other mums( and dads?).
This Wednesday evening was the school carol and nativity service, typically low quality, and somewhat naff, like the other years. Nothing like the effort, quality and fun of watching an Alcester special from Our Lady’s. This was followed by the prize giving. Joe was not amongst the winners, but the boy has done well this year. The school reports came home a week ago, and both boys have tried as hard as can be expected and both done well. After the service it was off to a small party for the leavers and handing out of the “year books”, a collection of photos and details of all the class to remember each other by when they are old and wrinkly.
Eleanor finished school on Wednesday, with the lower school prize giving. A good event, opening with the school song, followed by the national anthem, and closing with carol sung in Latin. Eleanor did very well, with five certificates for top finishes. A step up from last year, and so proud parents. she has done very well all year, both in the classroom as well as other school activities.
Tonight, Eleanor is out at a party, and the boys are at the school disco-so much fun.

A big week for being a parent, and a pleasing one with it.

Next year three children at three different schools. Not so convenient.

The weekend invloved one of those events when you realise time is passing on.
Eleanor went out to a “gig”, with her mates. The venue was in town, and the band was made up of a few people she knew from her old school, and contacts from her current one.
Sara dropped her off, and the mean old man was designated to pick her up, and two of her mates.
As an incidental, it appears there were more parents there than youth, as obviously other parents were less cool about leaving teenagers behind.
Anyway, while they were in touch with the music scene, the parents were at home watching a movie on the telly. Oh how sad.

A cricketing update for those who have missed the details of the summer events.
The season started late because of the wet winter and poor state of the grounds. The first two games were due to be played on Sunday instead of Saturday, but the first was cancelled. The first game was played in a cold gale, not a good opener. We have eleven in out squad, but have never played with a full team. We have had a broken toe to put paid to one player until today, and then illness, sailing and cycling around Lake Taupo to deplete our numbers. Last week we played with eight only.
So far the boys are five from five. A fine performance, with major contributors, and so “player of the day” changing from week to week.
Today was a low scoring game. We batted first and made 115, after being about 20/3, held together by Dylan who applied himself well, and scored a risk free 30 before having to retire. The later boys hung around to score slowly, but use up the 30 overs. The oppo were a good team, all bowled well and fielded with skill. This was the game for our boys to see if they were a good team, or a very good team. Dylan came to the fore, bowling the top three. Others bowled tightly to keep the pressure on, and Joe joined in with 3 wickets for 4 runs. They were all out for 73, the wind taken out of their sail. A good win, and done with spirit. Pleasing to watch. Only two more games before the Christmas break, and it will be all over for the Shastris, as the boys move to their senior schools in February, and for them junior cricket is all over.
A proud coach, though not one who thinks it has much to do with him.

It of course is not really summer yet, as that starts on December 21st.
Of course the Kiwi thinking is it actually already started as of
December 1st.
But the weather has been good, and the cricket season, from a slow, cold windy start has blossomed. Another warm sunny day is on hte carsd for tomorrow.

Well it’s nearly both.

The former must be coming soon, as shown by the fact that T&S went to see and hear “The Messiah” last night at Wellington Town Hall. It was the fourth time since being in Wellington , and of those it was by consensus, the best one. It was in the biggest venue here, and with the largest choir and the most professional soloists. This year we had the advantage of enjoying it without an earthquake.
So, a beautiful evening and now in the mood for a few twirls of the CD to listen all over again, with a special listen on Christmas morning.

More of the summer later.