When I arrived in Manila back in November last year, and was greeted by a chorus of Hark the Herald Angels at Ninoy Aquino airport, it made me smile. It provided an extra and unexpected layer to the feelings of faraway adventure. A baggage reclaim carousel decorated with baubles and tinsel when I was dreaming of the beach and knew very well it was 30 degrees outside, amused and delighted me. But it didn’t feel like Christmas and I didn’t have the seasonal nostalgia that I’m experiencing now.
It’s even smells like Christmas in the kitchen today. This morning, three boxes of fruit arrived from Jackson Orchards. And now there’s a saucepan of Granny Smiths and wintery spices stewing on the hob. We’ve eaten all the scrumped quinces apart from a handful of bruised and woolly ones that are still in the garage. I must attend to them at some point. But for now, it’s spiced apples all the way and honestly, it’s never felt more like Christmas is coming. It’s May. And I know very well that it’s May. But there’s a role that the changing seasons play in shaping memories. And although that might not be a revelation to everyone, or perhaps anyone, for me, right now, it’s never been more apparent.
When I left London, I fantasised about chasing summers and had the wild idea that I’d be hopping back and forth over the equator for a run of summer solstices. I hadn’t intended to find myself anywhere near this close to winter when I set out. So I’ve been shopping. As you do when Christmas is approaching. But I’ve not been shopping for presents for you. I’ve been shopping for presents for me. I’ve been shopping for warm, winter clothing. Or, more accurately, warm, winter, technical clothing. New Zealand-style.
On the flight to Wellington from Brisbane I noticed an awful lot of Gortex and fleece being worn by my fellow travellers and was concerned that I might be ill-equipped for what lay ahead. But back then I had hoped I could skip through a late Kiwi summer without having to worry about it too much. And I did manage to get through the first week or so in shorts and flip flops. But those days are long gone. And now I understand the properties of merino wool and the importance of good base-layers a whole lot better.
But despite the new wardrobe, I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that winter is approaching. And Christmas isn’t. I really don’t do so well in the cold. But I’m not to complain as I’m told New Zealand has seen one of the brightest and mildest autumns in years. So, sometimes what you need to do is the opposite of what you want to do. And I mustn’t stay rugged up on the sofa watching the telly, I need to get out and about.
It’s taking me a while to get this written and now it’s Sunday. May is all but over and tomorrow it will be June. But still, today has been one of the most beautiful winter days I’ve ever known. I put my layers of merino wool to the test and with Gortex on my feet, Mrs Choc and I took a trip to Akaroa. Akaroa is about 80km south of Christchurch and the harbour there is one of two submerged volcanic craters which make up the Banks Peninsula. When you look at the area on a map, and at the real-life coastline, you really do get a sense of the volcanic activity all those millions of years ago. And Summit Road, one of two roads that lead you there, provides views of it all too big to take in in one breath. Along with icy winds that make your bones ache. But I do reckon that just one more layer, which will make a total of five, will do the trick.
It’s Monday. It’s June. And yesterday’s adventure has galvanised something in me. I’ve been stuck and uncertain. But the views and the cold air have released a thing. So this week, I’m going to spend my time working out a road trip around the South Island. I’m ready to explore. One more layer and I’ll be ready to go deeper into winter. And into New Zealand. We’re still in Level 2 of lockdown but gatherings of up to 100 are now allowed and businesses are back in business. Two metre physical distancing rules still apply when you’re out and about but I can feel that gently slipping away. In New Zealand, there have been no new cases of Covid-19 for ten days and there is currently only one active case. It feels safe. And it feels like Christmas.
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