Christmas rundown...

Haven't done any specific exercise sessions since last post, but heres an update of what I've been up to over Christmas... Hope you all had a great one and enjoyed some time off with family and friends.

Saturday evening was spent out with my sister and her boyfriend, my mum and my daughter, at the Sky City complex. www.skycityauckland.co.nz As well as the Sky Tower being the 12th tallest in the world (taller than both the Eiffel and Sydneys AMP) at 328m high, it has some fantastic bars, restaurants, hotels and of course the casino. We were there to take in the 360 deg view of Auckland from the top observation deck, where evidently you can see approx 82kms in every direction on a clear day. This was followed by a lovely dinner at Orbit, the revolving restaurant at the top. Chris also decided he would like to do the "Sky Jump" (upright bungie) from the top and returned the next day to do so!

After dinner my mum took my daughter home, while the rest of us checked out the nightlife, including going to "Minus 5 Ice Lounge" at Princes Wharf - www.minus5experience.com (I believe there is also one in Sydney?) The interior of the bar is constructed of ice, its decorated with ice sculptures and the seats, bar, glasses, etc are all made from - you guessed it - ice! It would be heaven in there on a hot day! However at night I recommend the big, thick, fur-trimmed coats, gloves and boots that they supply! You can drink what ever you like while there - provided its Vodka! But their cocktail concoctions are divine and I had a "Frisky Penguin" which was delicious! Had some great photos taken and will post some here later on when I get to download from my camera. Visited a couple more bars and ended up at my fave disco club, before piling into a cab at 2am!

Sunday was therefore a bit of a lazy day, final preparations for Christmas day were made, visited a few friends and generally kicked back. In the evening I basted and cooked the Christmas ham and we had some for dinner cos it smelled oh so good! Afterwards we all went out looking at the many Christmas lights that people have decorated their homes with in our area - seems half the city had the same idea, but it was fun anyway. Despite my leg feeling very good, I knew a couple of days off would not hurt and continued with the oral anti-inflams.

Monday - Christmas Day. Due to a very late night, my daughter did not wake up until almost 8am! That is like the rest of us sleeping in till 2pm! Amazing for her! Of course the santa stocking was full and we all watched her opening presents. My sister did a wonderful pancake and champayne breakfast, before we did family presents and then prepared lunch! My sister and I were on kitchen duty, which ensured Mum did not stress out! Courtney's dad arrived, more presents were shared and we all sat down to a huge traditional lunch at 2pm! This was followed by a huge traditional dessert and for those that weren't on kitchen duty, a huge traditional nap! Later on we all agreed we needed some exercise, so it was off to the local beach for a game of beach cricket! I had a "runner" but the leg felt pretty good. This was followed by a bit of a walk along the beach and into the bush a way - and it felt good to be doing something active. Have to say tho - the first thing we all did when we got back home, was dive into the left overs!

Tuesday - Boxing Day. Being golf mad, Chris and Vanessa were keen to play again while in NZ. My boss and his wife - who are also golf mad - had invited us down to their holiday home in the Coromandel, so they could do so. So it was up early and on the road, to make the 2hr drive down there. It was a sunny day by the time we arrived, so when they headed off to play, Courtney and I and their two daughters (who are 22yrs and 12yrs and I have know for the past 10yrs) walked to the nearby beach. Pauanui is a gorgeous spot with a surf beach and a calm estuary. After a swim at the beach we headed back for lunch then took a kayak down to the estuary. A lot of fun and sun (and a fair bit of wine!) was had by all, we stayed for a bbq dinner, then drove back to Auckland. Much more enjoyable and relaxing than fighting the crowds in the Boxing Day sales, I have to say!

Which brings us to Wednesday... And my 4th consecutive day without any proper exercise sessions. But I know this is probably a blessing in disguise as far as my leg goes. I was just too tired to get up early and do anything before work today, but plan to do so tomorrow. My sister and her boyfriend fly back to Melb this evening. We've had a great time and I will be sad to see them go... but it will also mean I can get back into a routine, get some sort of order back to the house (it currently looks like a bomb has gone off inside) and put a hold on the constant rounds of eating and drinking - way too much wine, chocolate, trifle and other festive fare has been consumed in the past week! I am lucky enough that I don't have to worry about my weight too much most of the time, provided I am exercising - but the combination of not running and eating too much is taking its toll and I know I have put on a couple of kgs in the last few weeks. And like most females, its the tummy, hips and bum that show it first. For me my tummy is always a bone of contention anyway - oh for a flat, tight stomach, but I'm afraid the bulgy tum is a family trait... I also need to start the usual analysis of the past year and the planning of the coming one - both running wise and in all other aspects of life - some housekeeping of the mind and spirit... More to come on that...