It aint Half Hot

Boy has it been hot out here this week, on Monday it was 35 deg C and apart from Tuesday we have averaged the  high 20's. Some days it has been so hot we have had to stop work out on the pastures for fear of setting of grass fires by machinery hitting a stone and sparking.

Fortunately having a river along side the farm has meant going for a dip is an easy task. We have been talking about putting in a swimming pool this year, its nice having the river nearby but I dont like the girls going down to the river without an adult, so we are looking at what is required to get a pool put in.

The Xmas party at Sandy's neighbours place was a huge success, in fact all Saturday was a ball. All of us from the Oxford area descended on Christchurch early Saturday. It was as well we went early because we found out the Xmas party was also a surprise birthday party for Sandy's neighbours daughter, so we had to rush down to the local mall and do a spot of Birthday pressie buying.
We spent the afternoon down on the beach and then went back to the Sandy's to get ready for the party.
Mal made the most awesome father Xmas  the kids loved it but the biggest problem was getting the women of his knee, well some woman; I really didn't think I was on there that long. He is just such a neat guy, some of the kids were a little intimidated by having a huge giant of a man wander up the drive way in a Santa suit, but when he opened the bag with presents it was a ball for all of us.
Everyone brought a boy/girl present so the kids each had armfuls of gifts. It was after 11pm  by the time we left and then we stopped off at a few places so we  look at Xmas lights, the girls and I used to do that every year it was really nice to do it with Jas as well.
We have decided that this week we will go into Christchurch and Rangiora one night and do the Xmas light tour, there are some really beautiful displays around.

Well I best get going, we are off to a farm auction down south today, so lots to do.
Love to you all and please take care of yourselves.