We headed out Christmas morning after a light breakfast, continuing south with Palmerston North the next destination. I have family that I have not seen in a very long time and was looking forward to catching up again and spending Christmas with loved ones. My Aunty Jackie and Cousins Sam and Kate were expecting us, so onwards we went!
Myra’s body seemed to be faring a lot better and her hay fever and spirits were in much better shape, and we were both pleased to only have a relatively short 2.5 hour ride time, so it was in fine weather and good spirits we ventured off.
The ride to Palmerston North unfortunately took us inland, so the last couple of days of beautiful coastland were going to be missed. One thing we can definitely feel as we head ever south is the temperature dropping. This is especially true when you come through an inland section of road and are about to hit the coast. You can smell the sea and feel the slightly cooler sea breeze before you see the ocean; it’s a fantastic experience on a motorcycle.
We arrived in Palmerston North much earlier than expected and found said loved ones in Pajamas having a very relaxing morning. They were slightly mortified but Myra and I loved it, and after such a long time between visits (we’re talking 10 years maybe) it was great to come into such a relaxed and friendly environment, with minimal fuss and plenty of smiles.
It wasn’t long before the champagne was opened, and the conversation was easy. This is what Christmas should be all about, no matter what country you’re in or religion you practice. We’ve been absolutely spoiled for the last couple of years with fantastic Christmases at our place, with Myra’s family and my mother congregating, and while I missed that this year it really was a great day and a fantastic time had by us in Palmerston North, and couldn’t have hoped for anything better.
Now Palmerston North and the Manawatu in general has a pretty bum rap these days, but the property Jackie has purchased goes a long way to convincing you it is a extraordinary place to live. After having a brilliant day, a magnificent meal and a several more wines we all retired for the night as the Christmas sleepiness overcame us. We awoke the nexy morning to a perfect sky, in absolute silence and with a million dollar view of rolling hills, forests and isolated farmland. Even Te Puia Springs could not match this, the hotel there is on the State Highway, so every now and then you would get a truck rumbling through, but here there is just nothing. The only sounds are a distant dog barking, birds singing their morning welcomes and a faraway sheep calling for its lamb. It seems somehow to cleanse the soul and its mornings like this that stay with you for a long time. It is such a foreign experience for an Aucklander!
Unfortunately after getting up and being treated to a café worthy breakfast, the wind had picked up to something resembling a gale and with it the chill came. Myra, particularly prone to the cold, was overjoyed when Katie proffered up some thermal leggings and top she could borrow for the rest of the trip. I think it’s the best gift she could have received! She donned these pretty quickly, and after a round of goodbyes and hugs and some photos, we mounted the sturdy Sprint and headed off again. South. Always south.
I hope all our family and friends had as wonderful day as we did, we were thinking of you all.