It wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to the fairways (the world's biggest misnomer when Whitney is scoring). Defending North Shore Open champ Rock tallies up his latest putt as he looks to add the ritzy Remuera Classic green jacket to his collection. Unfortunately he should have brought a calculator instead of an ego, as his score baloons out of control under the intense pressure on the back nine.
When it comes to driving license tests, if at first you don't succeed, tr... buy a motorbike instead!
"I am one with the road". Or she will be, once she manages to work out how to drive up the driveway without stalling.
Next stop, Rangitoto Island - the distinctive volcanic island that lies just off Auckland harbour. A glorious calm day means that even Rock can pose for a few shots without having to spend the journey doubled up over the railing on the leeward side.
The star helmsman for Emirates Team New Zealand puts on a committed public face while he secretly waits for a billionaire from some landlocked nation to offer him a small planet in exchange for a few gybes here and there.
Old salts have long yarned about the mysterious mermaids who lure many a ship to their watery doom. It's hard to do much luring though when you can't swim...
Thar she blows! Errr... in this case let's hope not, since the eruption would pretty much put Auckland where every Kiwi south of the Bombay Hills wants it - at the bottom of the sea.
Christmas Kiwi style. A pohutukawa tree in full bloom on the pumiced shores of the volcano.
But they said this island was preditor-free! A pohutukawa gets a rude shock on an otherwise peaceful day.
The view from the crater. A nice pyroclastic eruption will wipe that grin off your face.
The reason it's so hot up here is because we're closer to the sun. Errr... and I suppose Taiwan is part of China...
It's cool how volcanoes these days come complete with handy viewing platforms.
Auckland bakes far below on a sweltering summer's day.
Remarkably, that's now two photos of Auckland in a row without a single raindrop in frame.
Remember grain waves? Nothing like a little sulfur to bring out the flavour.
Now here's a city with balls!
Rock suffers Weber withdrawal symptoms.
Christmas morning, and it's pressie opening time. Actually, it's not because these days the pressie opening schedule has to fit in with the KC's xmas raiding timetable.
Can't you just feel the enthusiasm? Wait for it, any day now someone will summon up the motivation to actually rip some wrapping paper.
And they're away! And what a way to kick things off - a pack of reese peanut butter cups straight off the plane from Houston.
Santa seems to have outsourced to the lowest bidder this year... Dick Smith.
Mei steels herself for another just-what-I've-always-wanted-thanks-so-much speech.
Weber withdrawal no more! Why I can practically chargrill a whole cow with these industrial-strength implements.
With the wrapping paper shredded, it's time to head for the Domain for the annual sports marathon. Mei's longest run of the day was to the ice cream van.
"Welcome to our viewers all around the world to our match coverage. I'm Richie Benaud and with me in the commentary box is Tony Greig. The visitors have won the toss and have elected to field first.""It'll be Rock to take the new ball bowling here from the Museum end with a light breeze at his back. On strike is Dodge, who has been in formidable form for the home side since stepping up to the opening role last season. A good contest in store here."
"And that's a good ball, right it the block hole, but Dodge just gives himself room and cuts it away effortlessly to the long boundary. Simply maaaarrrvelous stroke play, wouldn't you agree Tony?"
You get the feeling Rock's subtle variations of line and length aren't being appreciated by the crowd.
Like any good soccer player, Whit knows when to take a well placed dive.
Ok, hang up the bat and ball, it's time to play some ball! The defensive tackle springs into action as QB Rock looks to rush on a fourth and long. I say looks to rush, because he got sacked shortly after. Darn it, I knew we should have pulled out the Statue of Liberty play...
Back to the gentleman's game. Rock's subtle variations of line and length are obviously a bit too subtle, because none of the batsmen seem to notice as each ball is carved to the boundary with ease.
Apparently, in NZ, a yellow "L" plate on the back means Legend. Who would have thought, eh?
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