The wind was on the borderline for allowing a lesson on the Tiger Moth as the crosswind was quite strong. It meant I was able to practice lots of wing-down landings. Normally flying in those conditions would be done later during the training once ‘normal’ landings had been accomplished safely. Ross, the instructor, was very good, letting me make mistakes but taking control to fix them when necessary. A really brilliant lesson. We were invited to the club’s Christmas party in the evening but already had something planned.

On the way back from Waipukurau we stopped at a small coffee shop for a late lunch and there was a friendly ginger cat there.

Nearer Napier we bought a turkey, stuffing and vegs for Christmas Day so we’re just about sorted for the meal.

In the evening Pauline came round and we walked down part of Bluff Hill to “Carols by Candlelight” in the Napier Botanical Gardens with the Port of Napier Brass Band. The temperature today was 10 degrees lower than yesterday so instead of being warm enough to swim at 8pm, we all had warmer clothes on.