Did you ever feel that the commercialism of christmas got a little too much?  Did you ever think just once it would be nice to get away from it all?  Being the original fairy of christmas joy and sparkles, I can`t say I had ever really thought of a big escape before.  However, circumstances being what they are this year, I decided to capitalise on my solitude and have a totally different christmas.  Whilst I really missed family, friends (& presents!) :-) I have just spent one of my more memorable christmas` here in New Zealand...

I left Wellington in pouring rain, my hopes of a sunny christmas on the beach evaporating with the mist over the water as the ferry conveyed me from North to South Island.  Disembarking in Picton the rain had stopped and the clouds looked fluffier and friendlier somehow, so I boarded my water taxi in lighter spirits.  Heading away from somewhere to nowhere, any anxiety I may have had about my christmas retreat vanished.  Speeding over the beautiful still waters of the Marlborough Sounds to the lodge retreat I would be calling home for the next few days felt like the start of something special!

I wasn`t wrong.  On arrival at the lodge it seemed the gods were smiling on my christmas and as I stepped off the boat onto the jetty the sun broke the clouds and a beautiful blue sky spread above me.  The lodge hosts were delightful and the room perfect.  Having got my bearings it wasn`t long before I was dragging a kayack down to the shore to go exploring further.  I spent the afternoon paddling round Kenepuru Sound, chasing birds, and stopping in a few bays to collect shells and sunbathe on the beach.  At one point I paddled to the middle of the water and just sat gently buffeted by the ebb and flow of the water taking it all in.  The sun danced diamonds on the water which in turn reflected the beautiful green hills and trees up to the brilliant blue sky.  The birds were singing and nature was the only sound to break the perfect silence...bliss! :-) In the evening I rested my aching arms in the spa and the sauna before joining my hosts for a fantastic dinner and a few glasses of wine!

After a wonderful night`s sleep I awoke on boxing day to more glorious sunshine.  I decided on a hearty breakfast followed by a water taxi transfer to The Queen Charlotte Track.  I met several like minded people on the way and had several interesting conversations with several nationalities - German, Irish, Australian, English and of course Kiwi.  (so much for this being one of the quietest walking tracks in NZ!)  I also had an encounter with Mr & Mrs goat, but you will be glad to know that I didn`t try a conversation with them!  Although Mr goat, very proud with his billy goat beard, did engage in some mirroring head tilting with me, as if to say `What are you doing on my track?` Mrs goat soon got bored and led the way over the side of the track out of sight.

The walk was very hilly and good exercise to walk off the excesses of my christmas dinner the night before!  The incredible views at the top of each climb made all the effort worth it.  Standing in the glorious sunshine at the top of the mountain lookout rotating myself round the 360 degree view of the Sounds I remember thinking that it wasn`t a bad way to spend a christmas at all!! :-)  As I made my way down to my pick up point I thought I heard a roll of thunder in the distance but looking at the azure sky and water, I decided I must be hearing things.  The weather then transformed almost instantly (reminding me of home) and a angry grey cloud followed me down the hill.  I donned my coat and picked up my pace for the last few kilometers.  Again the gods of sunny christmas were with me and the rain only started as I boarded the water taxi to head back!  A rough crossing got me back to the tranquility of the lodge, and I dashed up the jetty and inside dodging hailstones!  It was becoming more like a UK Christmas by the second! 

I warmed myself up in a lovely shower, and then determined to deny the hail outside booked myself in for a facial and a massage.  I spent over two hours being pampered and emerged, very relaxed, to a finer sky.  Another fanstastic dinner, with good wine and good conversation rounded off another perfect day!  I sank into bed and slept well, despite knowing that the following day I would have to leave this haven and start a job - that was somthing to worry about tomorrow! :-)

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