Happy Holidays

Just before Christmas, we all managed to take a side trip to Rotorua, including a stop at Ohope Beach, which is a gem even by NZ standards.

Despite a couple missed flights (one cousin tried to board his plane a day late - sounds like a professor in the making?), all of the expected Amiry clan had arrived by Christmas Day. With 20 people in one house, it's been bedlam, but good fun.

Our first guest is already leaving, however. Apameh's heading back to spend New Year's Eve in Cologne with her friends. We'll miss her. The city kid/fashionista who arrived with 10 pairs of high heels and no walking shoes was overheard yesterday lecturing her aunts (who were climbing Damavand before she was a twinkle in her father's eye) about the need for good hiking boots. She came to us as a mere girl, but is leaving as a mountain goat.

Cheers,
Sandie