(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The weather in Hanmer is balmy, we have friends visiting, the BBQ is up and smokin’, the kids are bursting and begging to stay up late (the fact that it’s mid-Summer and it gets dark very late in the evening is helping their cause), so the answer is Yes.
About 10.30 p.m. littlest kid is desperate to stay up but flagging, and we decide that a walk around the village will invigorate us all, will ease the tightness in our stomachs because we all over ate at dinner, burn off a few calories and generally be a nice way to be a little nosy and see how others are celebrating New Year’s in Hanmer Springs.
The New Years fitness resolution starts tomorrow (as usual, for however long it lasts) and we like that fact that we are up and active even before the time then the guilt trip is prodding us about the calories consumed between Christmas and New Year. (You don’t want to know, I’d rather not know, I might give myself a heart attack if I knew) Those, ” What the heck, it’s Christmas, I only do this once a year” treats have been mounting up.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
First, the sun is finally about to set, we wander down the Avenue that defines Hammer’s main street and find that since the weather is great, that a lot of other people have had exactly the same idea as we have.
The trees in the Avenue are strung up with long strings of lights, they look fabulous and my camera in the semi darkness doesn’t do them justice. The little Information Center is all lit up with Christmas lights and looking festive, as are some of the shops.
We walk around and I try in vain to get a good shot of the full moon hanging large in the sky… we wander into side streets as the darkness deepens and the kids slip ahead like little ghosts. It’s quiet, just the faint noise of party laughter as we pass some gardens.
Rapidly time slips away and we need to head back to the house. We make it back just before midnight and our visitors have a big bag of Party-Poppers ready, so we head out into the garden to let them off.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Some of the houses nearby have fireworks going off, I manage some pathetic shots… no tripod, and I’m busy ducking streamers from the party poppers as I take photos.
We sing and hug and raise glasses at midnight, and then end up inside where the chat and fun continues.
Himself phones his Mother back in the Netherlands and wishes her “Happy New Year“… She’s been here with us and knows all about the time zones and the 12 hour difference between us but appears confused and keeps telling him ” but it’s not New Year here, it’s only mid day!”… he laughingly tells her that he’s “wishing her New Year from the future then“… but he gets a same response, She isn’t getting it. He tries to explain to no avail, eventually gives up, has a quick general chat and then back to the party.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Littlest kid eventually runs out of steam and curls up into a ball on the sofa… we gather him up for a quick brushing of teeth and then pop him into bed. No wonder he’s tired, He’s outdone himself. Just look at the time !
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
