Happy New Year!

Wishing you all lots of Love, Happiness, & fun times for 2007!

Blimey, we can't believe Christmas and New Year are all over...it always goes so fast.

Christmas actually turned out to be much better than we were expecting. Everywhere here was so un-christmassy that we just didn't feel in the mood....that is until we finished work for our Christmas lunch and started digging into the 3 huge chilly bins of fruity vodka punch...that certainly raised our spirits!! The big BBQ, the sun, and the packages of Christmas cards and presents from our lovely friends and folks also helped!

Next, was New Year's Eve, and more importantly of course...Trace's Birthday....couldn't come round quick enough for us as it also signalled the arrival of some friendly faces from home...the newly weds, Rach & Mat.

I (TB) was treated to a lovely Birthday lunch by Matt and Max which consisited of my favourite meal... chip butties with mayonnaise (not very sophisticated i know!) and a homemade Birthday cake from Max. I also got lots of lovely cards and presents, texts and emails - thanks loads to everyone who sent them!! But the biggest thanks goes to Matty who worked for me not only on my Birthday, but also the day after which as you'll soon find out was no mean feat!

We had a reservation at the Orbit (revolving) restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower for NYE, which has the most stunning views over the whole of Auckland and we even managed to catch the sun setting just as we took our seats. The food, drink, atmosphere and live music was all just perfect and before we new it it was midnight and the fireworks were going off all over the City as well as off the top of the Sky Tower.

After the meal we decided to head for the casino, where after a few dutch courages and a small loss on the Roulette table, Rach and I decided we were brave enough to have a go on a Black Jack table. Explaining to the croupier that we'd never played before and didn't know the rules, we were left feeling a little red faced when she suggested we should start on the smaller tables.... we'd sat down at a $25 minimum table....

Not to worry though, we got Rach a space at a $10 table and after building up a very friendly rappour ; ) with the Little Britain Hypnotist look-a-like Rach came away V. Happy after winning over $100!

After a few more drinks in another casino area and lots more catching up, we were moved on, as everywhere was closing, and so decided to have another go on the tables. Rach and I joined forces and after putting $20 down came away with over $200... not bad for our first time (well, Rach's 2nd), and of course we had a lot of help from the boys!

We decided to quit while we were ahead and make our way out to get a taxi. When we stepped outside it was daylight and the birds were singing... we looked at our watches and saw that it was 6.30am.... poor Matt had to start a 12 hour shift at 8.30am.... ! He got through it though, and didn't complain....too much! ; )

On New Years Day, after a lot of recovering by most of us, and hard work by Matt, Rach & Mat came to the hostel where Max cooked us a 3-course meal that we were still trying to get through at lunch the next day!

Here comes the sad part...

On the 2nd Jan it was Max's Birthday (we went to a Belgian pub for a dram and then to the cinema to watch The Prestige) and Mat & Rach's last day in Auckland, so after a quick detour up to the top of Mount Eden, we popped into the village for some goodbye/ birthday drinks before Mat & Rach drove off into the sunset in their luxury camper!

We'd had such an amazing few days with them that when it came to them leaving, it felt like we were back leaving Manchester Airport on August 6th again... : (

Have a great trip guys!

**more pics**