I took the opportunity for another sleep in as we weren’t due to join the Bairds until 10 o’clock for brunch – the start of a day of constant eating. There was a selection of croissants (surprise!) and fruit salad for the more health conscious. We took a bottle of Palliser Estate Sparkling Wine (formerly known as Champagne) that we’d bought a few days ago. Palliser Estate is the only sparkling wine produced in the Martinborough district and was quite pleasant.
Breakfast was followed by coffee, expertly made from the coffee beans Santa had brought Deb’s brother Alistair.
After coffee it was time for present giving and receiving. Santa was very kind to all the kids. Jacob, the youngest of the kids had been given a book of interesting facts, which he shared with us over breakfast. Cockroaches can live for 2 weeks without their heads, a chameleon’s tongue is twice its body length and crocodiles can’t lick ice-cream.
A few beers and then lunch followed. The sky cleared out to an amazing afternoon. There was no alternative but to play a game of backyard cricket. Obviously, being the only Australian in the game I was duty bound to lead the way. Great looking technique … I say.
Talking about looking great, it would be remiss of me to omit Olivia. If there is anyone who looks more stylish with a cricket bat in their hands I don’t know who it is!
There was some expert commentary from the sidelines and much fun was had. In the end Jacob thought he was the winner because he was the last to bat, however I would maintain that having spent a lot longer at the crease and only ever being dismissed on the ‘one hand – one bounce’ rule that I was clearly the best cricketer out there.
Funnily enough, as the locals continued to talk up the hot weather – it actually was 25 degrees (as opposed to 36 in Melbourne when I spoke to my girls), a rainbow appeared. When I suggested that rainbows occurred when it was raining, I was told that God makes rainbows. Anyway, I still think that there was probably a little rain somewhere.
With the cricket done, but not because of fading light, it doesn’t get dark until 9:30 ish, it was time for more food and a nightcap, before heading back to our accommodation. As I sit and write there are still people setting off fireworks, something we haven’t seen in Australia for many years. Apparently fireworks can be purchased for 4 days in November and many people save them up for Christmas Day.
Until tomorrow
Rob's "Beats Working" Blog 