Although I had planned a relatively quiet Christmas and New Year with Family, it was great to have Pam here too and one of my airbnb guests from Holland, Xantha, also came back for several days . We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the end of the year on the terrace on the first floor. I don't know why I haven't eaten there before, but I certainly will in future. We got the last rays of sunshine and it was really peaceful there.
The next day Pam, Xantha and I enjoyed a visit to Lyttleton and its farmer's market, also finding some new and very nice street art.
We then travelled around the Lyttleton bays, always magnificent, before climbing up the zigzags to the Sign of the Kiwi for this stunning view. The colours made it look like a pastel painting rather than a photo.
The next day I took Pam out to Travis Swamp, near Brighton. It has been in previous blogs, so I thought this time I should put in a shot of Manuka. It has a very pretty flower and of course the honey which comes from Manuka is exceptional.
The swamp area looked quite different from my last visit, particularly due to the reddish plant covering much of the water. Not a problem weed apparently.
The new children's playground right beside the beach and pier at Brighton was a hive of activity. When I visited there two weeks ago, it certainly did not look as if they could possibly finish it before Christmas, but they did, and it has been an understandably great success. It is fabulous.
We had fun at New year's Eve, or as they say in Holland, Old Year's day. It was lovely to have David home too with his good friends Matt, who married on 4 th January, and Tom. Tom was best man and David groomsman, so I am looking forward to seeing the photos. Xantha, Pam and I had a nearly Midnight spa. Clear starry night but extremely windy.
New Year's Day was sunny and warm, so perfect for a trip to Akaroa with Pam and David. Neither of them had ever been to my favourite place there, The Giant's House and garden. I have been so often, but quite honestly you could go on a weekly basis and still enjoy it. It always looks different and the owner, a landscaper and artist, is constantly building new sculptures and planting new areas. Here just a couple of shots showing her ceramic masterpieces set in the magnificent gardens.
I personally find it more sensational than Park Guell in Barcelona. It is such a perfect mix of art, lovely gardens and breathtaking views over Akaroa harbour, not to mention the incredible singing of the bellbirds in the surrounding native bush.
To top it all off, a cup of tea in the gorgeous cafe area is a must. How I would love that blue table with its little blue seats in my garden!
It was a marvelous afternoon, and the tea and cake made it perfect. I felt like a real lady with my delicate tea cup! Bythe way, I did sharethe cake!
On Pam's final day I took her to see Mona Vale Gardens which have been closed for several years but are now more beautiful than ever. 
Then Pam really wanted to visit the rose garden one last time. It was fabulous, especially with the little rain droplets on the vividly coloured leaves.
I was overjoyed to meet up with the three paradise ducklings once again in the Botanical Gardens. On 18 th December they were the cutest little grey and white balls of fluff
And now, only 2 weeks later they have shed their white down feathers and have learned to beg for food from the tourists! I am not sure that bread is particularly good for them, but they evidently did not care and they looked healthy enough.
It was a great start to the year and brilliant to spend it with family and friends.
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