Breakfast – eat a hearty one and did a magpie job for our picnic lunch.
Wellington On Foot
Joined up in the lobby and headed for the town centre. A few people were also wandering around, mainly tourists like us and a few essential workers. Shops and cafes closed. We headed for the Lambton Quay area to try the cable car to the top of Victoria Mount and the Wellington Botanical Gardens – closed. The buses were running and were free for the day, so we took one to the bus station, then one to the botanical gardens entrance. Uphill and into the gardens which are a haven of tranquillity with trees ranging from redwoods to the ever present Christmas Trees with their brilliant red flowers. A leisurely stroll around the closed facilities (fortunately the toilets were open) and back down through the gardens to a lawn overlooking a rose garden type area, where we had our picnic lunch and some alcoholic refreshments. The grassed area had many families out for the day enjoying the sun, eating their picnics and playing games. 
We checked out the rest of the gardens and headed for the Parliament buildings, set in beautiful open spaces. The Norma Foster designed beehive building is impressive for how it fits in with the surroundings. Across the lawns sits the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul. Completed in 2000 it is an ugly pink concrete building with little to commend it to new Zealand’s architectural heritage. However, I am sure the worshipers love it.Harry Potter's Railway Station
Photo shoot over we head down to the harbour via the magnificent railway station. Pat and Chris take a rest while we explore the internals of the station. Out again and off along the harbour front. The refurbished harbour front is full of promenading families and couples. An ice-cream van is serving coffee, but it is as dear as the coffees in the hotel, and it's in paper cups. It’s 5 o’clock so we go back to the hotel for a couple of drinks then get ready for our Christmas Dinner.Christmas Dinner
7 o’clock - Met in bar and get in some practice rounds before the big event. The dinner is a sedate affair with about 70 guests. Not a great Christmas party feel to the place. Crackers and the usual Christmas musak playing George Michel, Cliff and Jona Lewie’s “Stop The Cavalry” the only outward signs that this was not a Round Table get together. It is still daylight as we tuck into our starters – prawns on a crisp base. The main course was Cervina (NZ Venison) cooked to perfection then a large range of puddings from the buffet. The chef cooked Coleen 2 creme brulees. The cheese board was limited, with the blue cheese the only one of note. The wines were excellent. Considering it was Christmas day the meal price of NZ$110 each was good value (excluding wine). Warm Down Session In The Bar
Finished in the bar with brandy and coffees. Most of the diners went straight to bed (10.p.m. must be Americans). A Dutch family were in the bar and we spent some time with them. The husband had been the catering manager at the Duxton 18 years earlier. They said little at the hotel had changed in the ensuing years.
ET Phone Home
Spoke to Emma and Maria. Weird talking to them when our Christmas Day is nearly over. Also phone my brother Frank and spoke to Anne (his wife) as well. They are getting ready to start the day.
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