A Road Trip, a 21st and a Roasted Pig!

Last Monday 23rd October was Labour Day. Basically, this public holiday celebrates the introduction of the eight hour working day but, like most people, we were just looking forward to the fact that we would not have to work. Apparently, we have got Samuel Parnell to thank, for winning the fight for an eight hour day in 1840 (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/labourday). In any case, we had a three day weekend to enjoy ourselves.

Left: The Eight Hour Day Committee. Right: Thanks Sam!

We decided to go on a road trip, down south to Julia’s 21^st Birthday party (yes, it did make us feel young again). We lived with Julia back in 2004, in Christchurch. Anyway, we accepted the party invitation, knowing full well that it would involve us driving many kilometres (miles if you wish) to attend. You see, Julia is from a rural settlement, about 50 km from Invercargill (about as far from Aucklanders as you can get). The original plan was to have a leisurely drive down on Saturday, but as usual we left later than originally anticipated. Even then, we had to pop in to an electrical store to buy a brand new fridge/freezer (Labour Weekend sales were on, hence why!). So, we drove about eight hours, with just a twenty minute lunch stop, just after Timaru. The honky mobile did well; overtaking is so much easier when you have a three litre engine! A shame the police was out in force; I was rather enjoying doing 140km.We arrived at Birchwood Station, (near the aptly named community of Nightcapps) where the party was held, at 8.15pm. Birchwood Station is a working farm, but an old woolshed has somehow become a private bar, filled with all the paraphernalia that goes with farming, including a boar’s head hanging from the wall with its hide on the floor.After a hard day’s driving, we had ‘earned our thirst’. The first Speight’s went down rather nicely, and so did the many that followed. The line from the keg of Speights ran through a chilly bin (cool box), ensuring that the beer was cold. Lots of nibbles were all around, but the real supper was: Pork. Babe was happily turning on the spit. Julia’s Dad, a butcher, was carving the pork, which apparently was tender and delicious.

The party was not complete without Julia having to down twenty-one shots, which she did rather well. The party continued till the wee hours, when we went back to Julia’s parent’s house, to sleep off the alcohol!

The day after the night before, we hung around the house till midday, till we were a bit more awake, and started the return journey to Christchurch. This time, we drove at a more relaxed speed, and had a chance to look at places we had not previously visited. We stayed the night in picturesque Clyde. A town that is, ominously, the wrong side of a rather full dam. Our accommodation was a room in the local pub. Basic but very convenient! However, due to the night before, we were both very tired, so did not even have one pint!

On the Monday, Labour Day, we still had to cover a fair distance, but arrived home in time, to play our social, summer hockey game.

Why is it that even three day weekends are not long enough? We are already looking forward to the next four day working week, which luckily is not too far away. November 17^th is Canterbury Day, but we are yet to decide what we will do: go to the horse races or the A&P Show?

Some things never change!