Jeudi le 18 decembre - Xmas Vin Chaud

An incredibly busy day – booked out at the college all day today, repeating lessons about NZ xmas! I managed to find the only data projector at the school (500 pupils). No one has really used it and the kids were amazed to see me setting it up etc!
I showed them many photos of traditional kiwi Christmas and things we do in summer break….camping!!!!
The children found it hard to comprehend it is summer! Also that there isn’t that much lights and decorations outside – because it is so light!
Anyway all went well and it was refreshing teaching the same thing over and over. I also showed photos of what school is like – now that got them talking! Many wanted to come to NZ with me – I could have doubled APS roll within hours!
At 6:00 we were invited to a college colleagues house for a vin chaud and traditional aperitifs! We were picked up and taken there by other colleagues which was also very nice.
The atmosphere was very convivial and the lighting, heating and smells created a wonderful atmosphere.
The table was laden with amazing edible treats – chocolates, biscuits, liqueurs, meringues etc..Many things I hadn’t seen before and of course…had to try!

Naturally I made a pavlova to treat everyone, as all day the teachers had seen photos of them so I thought they should try it!

There was an awesome train set up for Xmas, that went around the tree and over a table and had a double level and all the gorgeous houses etc that went with it. Very hard to explain.
The vin chaud was amazing… it had been prepared 24 hours in advance and the smell permeated the house. This was the best I had had yet. Our glasses just kept getting filled up – I think I probably had 8 glasses! I was a bit worried about the effect it would have in the morning! I do think we will start this tradition when we get home – maybe have to have it in winter though. Don’t worry everybody – I got the recipe!
Nev and the girls got a ride home about 8 and I stayed on for another hour. It really was a nice way to meet some colleagues and of course it was very traditional! From what I gather there are no staff functions as we know them. So this was it!