You can drink your fancy ales, you can drink 'em by the flagon!

Here it is, 2012, a year that's been shrouded in all sorts of mysticism and resulted in some ridiculous philosophies and bad movies. Around the world 2011 has been just a little tumultuous and definitely a year to move on from rather than look back on with fond memories. New Zealand has had a rough time, countered by some immeasurable triumphs. With the All Blacks taking the Rugby World Cup, spirits definitely got a lift, but as another set of quakes rocked Christchurch just over a week ago, there's a definite sense of hope that 2012 will be a more fortunate year for the South Island dwellers. But I've had a wicked 2011, exactly a year ago I decided I would head out to New Zealand, my sister was home from her grand adventure around the world, and now here I sit in Queenstown having lived here for well over a month.

With New Zealand being 11 hours behind the UK, we are one of the earlier countries to see in the new year, and with me being in Queenstown I was in a prime position to celebrate in style. The weather could not have been more perfect with the sun blazing all day, the town was full to the brim, teenagers and adults a-like camped out on the rugby field or slept in campervans, every hostel and hotel was fully booked. People drive for miles just to see in the new year here, and I can see why. The lake shore was packed with people putting on BBQs, or just laying in the sun drinking beer as I drove to work. The heat merely dipped as the sun went down, with a multitude of bars and clubs to choose from, as well as free outside entertainment being laid on in the form of DJ's and cover bands, it's easy to see why people flock here. The streets around the stages were lined with food vans, it felt very much like a festival. As midnight approached I was still outside in a t-shirt, dancing to the noise, and when the clock struck midnight the sky lit up with fireworks. It was an impressive display, with huge rockets that rattled your ribcage as they went off. With work summoning me again the next day I called it an early one, but I still had a lot of fun, even though I wished my friends and family from home could have been there to witness it with me. 

I am getting accustomed to celebrating these events with just a t-shirt and shorts on, it's a strange but uplifting experience as I hear the weather is doing its usual back in Britain. Christmas Day had to be the strangest by far. To wake up and not be wrapping up to Jesus it up with my family or setting down at lunch time in the dining room with a turkey dinner, or using the rest of the day to just sit in front of the box and watch the films on the BBC. Christmas Day is a much more energetic state of affairs over here. No sooner were we out of bed, we had a great big breakfast out on the garden bench, granted this was already midday as we had a late night on Christmas Eve. The neighbours came out with a huge roll of plastic and made a slip n slide and that was us for the next few hours. Flying down a hill in swimming shorts trying our best to go flying through the fence at the bottom of the garden. After some serious energy spending we showered, napped, then set about having a huge evening meal. We all chipped in $10 which fetched us plenty of food, in fact it lasted another day or two. Our Asian house mate made some awesome fried rice and our Dutch house mate cooked up some chicken and beef, and we all pitched in to make salads, cook vegetables and make puddings. As the night continued we drank beer and the guitar eventually came out and we sang songs well into the morning. 

So a cool yule was definitely had, although it was a tough week. It made me miss family and friends so much, however the internet helps a lot with keeping in touch. Being here is amazing, but I'm still yet to fully settle in, my job isn't giving me enough hours, so I'm starting to look for a new one. I think I'm close to getting a mountain bike, I'm desperate to get one so I can get some much needed decent exercise. The house is great for the moment, but I'm still keeping my eye on anything more central, but I need to sort the work situation before I do anything about that.