We started off our Boxing Day in Feilding by walking to the main shopping area, which is about 2 blocks from the apartment for an early morning coffee. By early morning, I mean 9:30. The sky had cleared out beautifully overnight as the day warmed up quickly. I couldn’t resist yet another photo of the clock tower.
Following coffee we walked back to the Baird’s house for brunch, passing the world famous Feilding Hotel which sits alongside Manchester Square, again in the centre of town.
Anyway, the rest of the morning was taken up with brunch and Secret Santa which had been held over for eldest son Luke’s appearance. Lots of fun gifts that met the $5 criteria were exchanged. Equally as important as Secret Santa was organising the traditional Christmas family photo. After much moaning, resistance and inappropriate wearing of sunglasses, the photo was taken. The temperature had risen to about 28 degrees, which to me was very pleasant but had most of the locals dying from the heat.
We had some nibbles for lunch and then headed into Palmerston North for afternoon drinks and dinner with Deb’s Dad and his wife at the B&B they run near the Manawatu River, which is considered one of the most polluted rivers in New Zealand and the western world mainly due to farm run-off. Its condition has been steadily improving since 2009 when tests revealed poor results and a $30 Million remediation program commenced. So while quite scenic, swimming is still not advised.
Finally, it was back to the Baird house to say our goodbye’s for this trip after a great couple of days of family & fun. We leave well fed and with plenty of Christmas goodies to consume on the rest of the trip.
Until tomorrow
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