There was no swimming to be done on Tuesday 24th of December (otherwise known as Christmas Eve) due to the hustle and bustle of last minute Christmas preparations.

But I did manage a quick swim on Christmas day, despite unfavourable weather conditions. The tide was high at the relatively convenient time of 1.35pm, yet the beach was virtually deserted, indicating that not many people were dreaming of a grey Christmas. This Christmas business is strange in New Zealand because a mid-winter festival involving hot food and images of snow is forced upon us in the middle of summer. So, as I see it, a grey Christmas makes turkey roasting and pudding steaming a bit more bearable.

So, here are photos of a very ordinary looking Christmas Day Beach, without a hint of tinsel or mistletoe although these pictures are fringed with (n0n flowering) Pohutukawa boughs to give a slightly festive feel. So, season’s greetings!

A grey Christmas at Pt Chevalier beach

Seasons Greetings!