The land of sheep and chocolate

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Kiwi Christmas

Despite cliches of summer Christmas and dinner on the beach, Christmas day here is not much different here to at home. It was a bit chilly and it rained all day, the same as it does every year by all acounts. Fortunately, we were staying at home all day so that was no problem.

Despite the predictably dreary weather, Christmas day was very nice. We made an important step towards self sufficiency when Jo bought a beer making kit for me, and we harvested some of our own vegetables for the first time; some nice big new potatoes and some tiny tiny carrots, the biggest of which was the size of a golf ball. There was also a tiny tiny beetroot the size of one of Lily's fingers. Very tasty, but nonetheless slightly disappointing.

A baby's first Christmas is very exciting for the parents and more so than for the baby who really doesn't have much of an idea what's happening and is more than likely a little freaked out by the whole thing. Lily enjoyed her presents and, of course, the wrapping paper. But we the parents absolutely loved it. We bought her an amazing toy which blows balls out of a tube like a bingo machine whilst playing music and making funny noises. The balls are supposed to land in a tray and go round again, but half the time they don't and the poor parents are sent scampering across the floor to round them up whilst the baby squeals with delight. So we were exhausted by lunchtime. Those interested can check out the video.

Boxing Day today and I'm back at work tomorrow. Only 15 days holiday for council workers in this country and I'm saving my days for later.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Summer's Here!

The sun is shining, the wind has stopped blowing and the town is looking terrific! Hooray!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

The Dogs Are Fat

Just like at home, obesity is rife in this country and the Hattam househld is no exception. The dogs are fat. They are both over a kilo overweight, which is a reasonable amount for a small dog. You ought to be able to feel a dogs ribs and with our two you can't. They have litle rolls of fat on their necks.

It's the food. At home we fed them on dried nutritionally balanced dog food. Here we feed them dog roll. It looks like pate and they love it! Jakes spins around in circles and barks with excitement. But dog roll is mostly salt and fat so they are having to be weaned off it.

I'm no different though. I've been munching my way through half a kilo of chocolate a week, in the office, away from Jo's prying eyes. I can still feel my ribs though so there's no panic. I've munched my way through most of the entire huge Cadbury's range now (except the white chocolate filled with strawberry creme, obviously). But I haven't tried the Whitakers range yet so there's still work to be done in the coming weeks and months.

So, it's no wonder there's a tendancy for the the Kiwis to be a bit porky.