DAY ONE: New Year's Day.

My friends were here for lunch - and the weather was great! We sat outside on the deck, enjoyed bottles of champagne, good food and wonderful conversation and laughter.

The best thing? It was joyous, being in the kitchen, hearing their riotous laughter outside on the deck.

DAY TWO: Monday 2 January

I was very tired after the NYD debaucheries. When one is in this half-conscious state, one can notice a lot whilst sitting slumped in a chair on the deck.

I took my coffee outside, watched the birds enjoying some left over grain rolls from the party - one little sparrow took off with a piece that was as large as he was! That was good.

DAY THREE: Tuesday 3 January

Today I visited two very good friends, Anne and Robbie, at their beautiful Coatsville garden.

Mom used to enjoy visiting there too and we all would share some lovely times, wandering about looking at the multitude of gorgeous things in the garden. Sitting on their deck, looking out over the green trimmed lawns at the colourful summer flowers was a delight.

DAY FOUR: Wednesday 4 January

Today we re-arranged the living room. A friend was here (poor thing!) and she helped me move tables and sofas around. The sofa now affords a wonderful view of the sea whilst one is reclining - the best thing was lying down after all the moving with a bottle of very fine sauvignon blanc to celebrate our accomplishment.

DAY FIVE: Thursday 5 January

I visited my very good friend in Warkworth today - she has started keeping bees so I checked out her bee hives - all very exciting! We had morning tea and then went down the road to visit her neighbour.

And there we had espresso coffee and the most delicious plum cake! Now that was absolutely the BEST thing - good food and wonderful company. Unbeatable.