Middle NZ: The joys of holidays

Linda Hall, Assistant Editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

Aaahhhhh — family holidays. And when I say family I mean the entire family.

Four children, husbands, wives and nine grandchildren all in the same place, making memories.

It's been nearly four years since we've all been in the same place at the same time. We chose Taupō Top 10 Holiday Park to meet, as two families from Aussie enjoyed a week in New Zealand prior to our get-together.

And what a great idea it was to meet on neutral ground, so to speak. Each family had their own cabin, but most of the time was spent in the huge heated swimming pool, complete with swim-up bar.

The children loved drinking iced chocolates while sitting on stools submerged in the pool.

There's a fantastic playground and pedal cars large enough for the big kids to play on as well.

It's no easy feat organising outings with nine children. Actually I shouldn't say nine as the oldest is 17 and I'm sure she would not appreciate me calling her a child.

The other six range in age from 6 to 12 — and includes three 7-year-old girls.

Any outing included cries of "where's this one or that one?", or "can I go in aunty's car?".
I'm actually surprised we didn't lose anyone.

After two nights we packed up and headed into town to do a bit of sightseeing before heading for the Bay.

Everyone wanted to go to Huka Falls. I have been to the falls numerous times but I never tire of it. The mighty Waikato River is stunning and the roar of the Huka Falls is incredible. There were so many people there — the car park was full.

Once again I was reminded of what an amazing country we live in.

Then it was off to the bungy jump. Nope — not me. Eldest granddaughter and her dad took the leap but it's not something I can ever imagine doing. I'd rather have a bee sting than jump from a platform headfirst toward a river with a bit of rubbery rope attached to my ankles.

I had my heart in my mouth just watching them. Apparently it was fun.

Then we headed to the Prawn Farm, where the prawns were not biting. It didn't take long for the children to get bored. However, I persevered and caught the catch of the day. One large prawn. Out of 20 of us, only two caught prawns while one tipped their phone into a pond, but the fancy new phones these days are waterproof so after a quick rescue all was well.

Feeding this "tribe" was a mission. This one didn't like this and that one didn't eat that, although hot chips were never turned down.

It made me think about how differently we eat compared to families of 50 or so years ago.

Big families with as many children as I have grandchildren certainly didn't go to town for hot chips. Instead they had a roast for Sunday lunch. Actually, come to think of it, I had roast mutton for Sunday lunch when I was a kid. Never mind that it was 30 degrees outside — you sat at the table and ate it.

I guess all families have their own traditions. Sadly, one of our traditions couldn't take place.

There was no visiting their nana and great nana. My mum passed away three months ago and this was the first big family gathering without her.

Grief is a funny old thing. At first it consumes you — there's no getting away from it. Then it touches you when you least expect it and in ways you weren't expecting.

Luckily for me I have a big family and thanks to mum we know how to love each other. Hold your family close — they are the most precious thing you will ever have.

Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.