Ending the Year in Abundance
Sitting here, hands on my keyboard, reflecting on the month of December, I feel as though somehow we managed to live three months in the timespan of 31 days. Despite a few unexpected bumps on the road and long work days, it was a very positive chapter overflowing with colour. Summer’s fashionably late arrival as always, was warmly welcomed 🌞
The first day of the month was already high when Mahiran scored a pristine second hand Pyzel Phantom. A perfect quiver for our up and coming trips, the first of which was to Muriwai the following weekend.Â
Driving into Muriwai, before you can even see the ocean, is scenic, with wooden houses hidden behind varied vegetation, old rustic cars in someone’s backyard, 4×4 wheel drives parked by what seemed like every household, and a sign that says “Beware of free range kids.” It has a vibe. Then you get to a parking space, walk up sand dunes, and arrive at a pristine long bay of black sand, energetic blue waters, and a small island not far off the coastline. Immediately, we both felt a peaceful ambiance hugging this bay.
We spent some time watching the ocean before getting in for a surf. I briefly played with the reforms and then Mahiran went out for the bigger sets while I stood on the sand trying to pinpoint him amidst the wetsuit clad people. Once again it was uniquely invigorating while simultaneously calming – the ocean doing its thing. We then had lunch on the dunes before going to a lovely local cafe recommended to us by one of Mahiran’s colleagues.
That evening we drove into town and parked by the wharf, desiring to taste Auckland’s waterside nightlife. We had a lovely walk around and on our drive back home we stopped at our cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant where we enjoyed the mini pizza and wine treat.
The following week of work was marked by my resignation, Mahiran working crazy hours in preparation for the Christmas rush, and the finals of the world cup. It was a busy week with long days but it was lit up by the flowering of our housemates sunflower plant – a radiant welcome home.
We also had the pleasure of watching three baby seagulls hatch on the roof across from ours. This meant that we came home every evening to their little bodies slightly bigger, stumbling across the roof as their parents watched them unamused. Fun fact: mother and father seagulls take turns watching the babies until they are ready to fly into the world.
Next weekend, we went to Orewa to surf in the east coast ocean. Clouds, rain, and sun scattered the sky, the ocean was glassy, and the waves were perfectly mellow but fun. Happily, this was followed by home-packed lunch on the picnic benches in between pine trees overlooking the ocean.
On the drive home, we stopped at one of the free food boxes that scatter Auckland, to find the biggest Kumara either of us had ever seen. Literally it equated the dimensions of a coconut from back home.
Once at the crib, Mahiran’s made croissants, a delightful scent to cozy up the house.
Saturday, back to the work grind, but this time the routine was broken out by the onset of holiday festivities. The first of which was Mahiran and I joining my work colleagues at a pub for a drink to celebrate the end of the year. It was good fun and a nice reminder that outside of work we are all people with lives who can have fun 🙂Â
A few days later, my boss invited the team to watch the new Avatar at the Cinema in a gold class lounge. I brought Mahiran and we indulged in the high end experience of remote controlled lounging chairs, popcorn, and watching a film two days after it was released. I guess we could get used to this lifestyle… To our pleasant surprise the new Avatar was wonderful. A demonstration of the beauty and rawness of the elements, profound nature connections, and the passing on of family values – it was right up our alley.
 These events sped up the work week and it was not long till we were on our weekend again, this time spending an evening at pt.Chev city beach having dinner while watching the sun set.Â
The following morning we headed back to one of our favourite surf spots on the west coast. This was the first day that truly felt like summer thus it was time to pull out the spring suits and open the car roof!
The radiant bay was glowing as always. The waves were big and a little all over the place so I stayed on the shore encouraging the tan lines to make their first appearance while Mahiran jumped in for a surf. A happy sunny morning at the beach.
Unfortunately, our scenic drive home was interrupted by the sound of clanging coming from our front left wheel – oh no. We drove straight to the mechanic who assessed the car and said the shaft had split and the repair would cost us a grand. We had an appointment at a mechanic the following day.
As we waited for our car to be fixed, we spent the day at home gardening and harvesting the first half of our produce. And oh wow was it successful – the size of our potatoes, and our beetroot! Fruitful times;)
The following day was the 24th, meaning we only had a day of work before we’d be off again. While our day felt long, it was sweetly sealed with a lovely bottle of white wine and fresh cherries gifted to Mahiran by Daily Bread’s management. It was a breezy peaceful evening.
Sunday was Christmas day, and I could not have asked for a better first Christmas in New Zealand. After my morning yoga, and our usual fresh fruit bowl and granola breakfast, we headed out to pick up a tent we found on Trade Me. The nice fellow named Vlad selling us the tent also had a handy camping stove and a camping table that we took off his hands making us nearly fully set for our travels.
As we headed back to our car, we stumbled upon a pacific islander’s family Christmas gathering trying to take a group picture. As they kept taking turns on who would take the picture, I offered to take one and Mahiran captured this legendary picture of me, the only person in green taking a picture of a random family all dressed in red and white!
We then drove straight to Muriwai intending to spend Christmas New Zealand style at the beach. It was a beautiful day – the sun was out, the water was blue, and the beach was scattered with people in boardshorts, some wearing Santa hats, many camped out by their eskies, all enjoying the warmth of the sun and some salt water. We joined in the ambiance of festivity going for a cold swim and having our lunch on the beach before heading back home.
Later in the afternoon we went for a walk to the closest park where we climbed up a plum tree dotted by pink and red miracles and filled a bag full of fresh plums.Â
That evening we roasted the harvest from our garden, made gravy, and Mahiran successfully baked us yorkshire puddings crucial to this signature Baldwin meal. I added my grandma’s classic – a rhubarb (and we added plums) crumble and Mahiran made coconut whipped cream. What a feast! Quote Mahiran post the meal “I feel like I’ve eaten an elephant and not drank water for 7 months.”
Last but far from least, we closed this year by celebrating new years in and around Raglan.Â
Heading off late in the morning, we drove to a beach near Raglan that is one of Mahiran’s special places. We had lunch there and then went for a swim in the magical cold ocean and then rinsed off at the freshwater waterfall nearby. Refreshed, we drove to Raglan where we spent the late afternoon and evening at a soiree hosted by a friend of Mahiran from his year spent at the surf academy. It was lovely meeting his old school mates, two of their daughters, and socialising in a generous and welcoming environment.
Despite being offered a bed, we decided to head out and spend the night in our car parked in the forest by the ocean. We spent the midnight moment there with no coverage and just the sound of wind and the ocean <3
We woke up cozily to beautiful views, drove down to the beach and took a shower in the waterfall again, and had our breakfast on the beach watching surfers play with the ocean.
We then drove to Hamilton on our way home to say hi to Mahiran’s dad and pick up some camping gear. It was lovely and we departed gifted with garden oranges and lemons as well as a plant to add to the family.
Once home we were both exhausted and toasted but so happy with the miracles and fluidity of the new year transition.
Welcome 2023 <3