New Zealand Celebrations
April 2009, by Tom
A smooth but restless flight from Tokyo via Auckland landed us back to our home of all homes, Wellington. You know you're home when people are there to meet you at the airport! Both sets of parents as well as a couple more Turners (Graham and Lisa) who secretly jumped the ditch for the long weekend festivities. A fantastic surprise.
After the brief hello's at the airport, our fleeting visit back to the mother land began in great Kiwi style with a full on eggs bennie feast at the Surf Clubrooms in Lyall Bay. Our first of several we scoffed down during that week and one of the 'must do' items on our short list of must do's.
Day one was a day of relaxation and trying to stay awake. After lasting the day without a snooze, we were rewarded in the evening with dinner out at the Tinakori Bistro. It did not disappoint. NZ food had thus far lived up to our memories and expectations.
Day two was our big day - again! The engagement party. This time, however, it felt like a real engagement party instead of just a piss up in a pub in London! We had a few kind words (and a few embarrassing words - thanks John!) and finished the evening off with a short stint of circle of death - where Derek was the unfortunate bearer of the fourth king and therefore the vessel emptier.
It was a fantastic night and a great way to catch up with everyone who could make it. The Belgian (and NZ) beers went down a treat (thanks Dad), the Pimms and Champers equally as popular with the girls (thanks Helen and Robin) and the food treats just kept on coming (huge thank-you Mums!). It finally felt official - 6 months down the track - that we were really for real engaged!
Monday night we were all invited to the Pecks for a long table dinner in their new kitchen. I was most impressed indeed! It comfortably sat all 13 of us. The new layout of the kitchen / dining / laundry is something to be proud of. Lots of careful planning has paid off. What I want to know is - what's next? I can't think of anything left that can be done! I'm sure you will think of something though.
The following few days were a little more low key with a chance to catch up a little more with friends and family. I did a stint out the Hutt with Nige and Hamish for a bit of a reminiscing (and a large dose of Uno), while Gini caught up with a few friends who she wasn't able to catch up with properly at the party.
Wednesday had arrived - and another night of celebrations was in order. This time to celebrate Nigel's 30th and in true Nigel style - a 9 course degustation feast at Citron! Despite the heavy price tag and the over the top corkage, the turnout was fantastic. 15 of us all seated in our own private room (so we didn't disturb the rest of the patrons with our raucous laughter no doubt). The meal was amazing, the lamb cutlet with a smoked mushroom pie on top a definite favourite. After dinner, was the unavoidable goodbyes to everyone - hopefully the last time we'll have to do this for a very long time!
It was now Thursday. We had been in Wellington for about 5 days but now it was time to venture north for the real reason we had returned home - Jen and Dave's wedding in Taupo. We stopped off for a quiet night in Ohakune on the way through - a must needed break from the socialising.
The grand event started with a couple of beers and nibbles at the pub down the road from the Pecks house. We were able to remember those who we met at their engagement party as well as putting a face to a few names we had yet to meet. The weather was beautiful - and looked set to stay that way for the entirety of the weekend.
Afterwards, we checked into the hotel venue - a massive step up on what we are used to staying at while travelling on the cheap! Then headed out to the waterfront to knock off another "must do" off our list - fish and chips. Although I have taken a liking to English Cod+Chips, it's nice to return home to where we do things a little better - and were not disappointed.
That evening we ventured to the Pecks place to catch up with Uncle Peter, Auntie Pat and Cousin Richard who had come all the way from the UK. It was fantastic to catch up with you all and for Gini to finally meet you. We have promised to make it up north for a visit at least once before the year is out!
Easter Saturday was finally here - the big day! We prepared ourselves with a feed of eggs bennie from the Hotel Restaurant and a tasty coffee before venturing into town to buy me some socks and undies (long story ... but I had only the one pair with me). Afterwards - we were ready to get ourselves ship shape and looking beautiful for the day. Me in my fancy Ted Baker suit James helped me find and Gini - looking beautiful - in her London outfit, fascinator included - she had numerous comments during the evening and one from someone who wants to paint her!
Before the ceremony we were around at the Pecks again for a few family photos - everyone looked stunning, but Jen stole the show. She looked incredible. A little while later the London Taxi arrived (UK LIMO on the plates) and whisked Jen and Alan away with us following shortly behind.
The ceremony was next, with tears all round the exchange of rings and the releasing of live butterflies! Such a unique touch. Mine was a little cold and sleepy however, it just didn't want to fly away.
After a few drinks and canapés we moved the procession into the dining area where the festivities continued. The dinner was delicious, the speeches were eye watering (Alan's speech was especially memorable). It was a fantastic evening of catching up with family friends I had not seen for many years who Gini had never met. As well as catching up with family - Cousin Kim and husband Mike were down from Auckland, Peter, Pat and Richard from the UK.
We partied into the night, until we were finally kicked out at 2am. What a very memorable day and night. Impeccable organising Jen!
With the festivities at an end, the following day we took our sore heads to the Pecks place for one last day of socialising before saying our good byes, and driving the long road back to Wellington.
Our last evening in Wellington was back with the Turners for a home cooked meal and a relaxing night in.
Our short stint back home had finally come to an end, but what an amazing time we had, and it left us looking forward to when we will both return for good, making it our own home once again. See you in one-two years time NZ!
T
After the brief hello's at the airport, our fleeting visit back to the mother land began in great Kiwi style with a full on eggs bennie feast at the Surf Clubrooms in Lyall Bay. Our first of several we scoffed down during that week and one of the 'must do' items on our short list of must do's.
Day one was a day of relaxation and trying to stay awake. After lasting the day without a snooze, we were rewarded in the evening with dinner out at the Tinakori Bistro. It did not disappoint. NZ food had thus far lived up to our memories and expectations.
Day two was our big day - again! The engagement party. This time, however, it felt like a real engagement party instead of just a piss up in a pub in London! We had a few kind words (and a few embarrassing words - thanks John!) and finished the evening off with a short stint of circle of death - where Derek was the unfortunate bearer of the fourth king and therefore the vessel emptier.
It was a fantastic night and a great way to catch up with everyone who could make it. The Belgian (and NZ) beers went down a treat (thanks Dad), the Pimms and Champers equally as popular with the girls (thanks Helen and Robin) and the food treats just kept on coming (huge thank-you Mums!). It finally felt official - 6 months down the track - that we were really for real engaged!
Monday night we were all invited to the Pecks for a long table dinner in their new kitchen. I was most impressed indeed! It comfortably sat all 13 of us. The new layout of the kitchen / dining / laundry is something to be proud of. Lots of careful planning has paid off. What I want to know is - what's next? I can't think of anything left that can be done! I'm sure you will think of something though.
The following few days were a little more low key with a chance to catch up a little more with friends and family. I did a stint out the Hutt with Nige and Hamish for a bit of a reminiscing (and a large dose of Uno), while Gini caught up with a few friends who she wasn't able to catch up with properly at the party.
Wednesday had arrived - and another night of celebrations was in order. This time to celebrate Nigel's 30th and in true Nigel style - a 9 course degustation feast at Citron! Despite the heavy price tag and the over the top corkage, the turnout was fantastic. 15 of us all seated in our own private room (so we didn't disturb the rest of the patrons with our raucous laughter no doubt). The meal was amazing, the lamb cutlet with a smoked mushroom pie on top a definite favourite. After dinner, was the unavoidable goodbyes to everyone - hopefully the last time we'll have to do this for a very long time!
It was now Thursday. We had been in Wellington for about 5 days but now it was time to venture north for the real reason we had returned home - Jen and Dave's wedding in Taupo. We stopped off for a quiet night in Ohakune on the way through - a must needed break from the socialising.
The grand event started with a couple of beers and nibbles at the pub down the road from the Pecks house. We were able to remember those who we met at their engagement party as well as putting a face to a few names we had yet to meet. The weather was beautiful - and looked set to stay that way for the entirety of the weekend.
Afterwards, we checked into the hotel venue - a massive step up on what we are used to staying at while travelling on the cheap! Then headed out to the waterfront to knock off another "must do" off our list - fish and chips. Although I have taken a liking to English Cod+Chips, it's nice to return home to where we do things a little better - and were not disappointed.
That evening we ventured to the Pecks place to catch up with Uncle Peter, Auntie Pat and Cousin Richard who had come all the way from the UK. It was fantastic to catch up with you all and for Gini to finally meet you. We have promised to make it up north for a visit at least once before the year is out!
Easter Saturday was finally here - the big day! We prepared ourselves with a feed of eggs bennie from the Hotel Restaurant and a tasty coffee before venturing into town to buy me some socks and undies (long story ... but I had only the one pair with me). Afterwards - we were ready to get ourselves ship shape and looking beautiful for the day. Me in my fancy Ted Baker suit James helped me find and Gini - looking beautiful - in her London outfit, fascinator included - she had numerous comments during the evening and one from someone who wants to paint her!
Before the ceremony we were around at the Pecks again for a few family photos - everyone looked stunning, but Jen stole the show. She looked incredible. A little while later the London Taxi arrived (UK LIMO on the plates) and whisked Jen and Alan away with us following shortly behind.
The ceremony was next, with tears all round the exchange of rings and the releasing of live butterflies! Such a unique touch. Mine was a little cold and sleepy however, it just didn't want to fly away.
After a few drinks and canapés we moved the procession into the dining area where the festivities continued. The dinner was delicious, the speeches were eye watering (Alan's speech was especially memorable). It was a fantastic evening of catching up with family friends I had not seen for many years who Gini had never met. As well as catching up with family - Cousin Kim and husband Mike were down from Auckland, Peter, Pat and Richard from the UK.
We partied into the night, until we were finally kicked out at 2am. What a very memorable day and night. Impeccable organising Jen!
With the festivities at an end, the following day we took our sore heads to the Pecks place for one last day of socialising before saying our good byes, and driving the long road back to Wellington.
Our last evening in Wellington was back with the Turners for a home cooked meal and a relaxing night in.
Our short stint back home had finally come to an end, but what an amazing time we had, and it left us looking forward to when we will both return for good, making it our own home once again. See you in one-two years time NZ!
T
Awaiting desert at the Tinakori Bistro
We share a moment. Too much attention!
Helen, Jan, Dorothy and Jillian with Euan in the background
Gini with Graham and Lisa
Tom in the middle.
Alan - still calming the nerves!
Gini, um.
The siblings again - all smartened up!
Mother of the bride!
A handsome couple.
The butterfly stretches its wings!
The garden in full bloom
