Family and friends is James Griffin's idea of summer. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today
Family and friends is James Griffin's idea of summer. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today
KEY POINTS:
James Griffin Writer
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Favourite summer holiday getaway
Wherever my family and friends are, be it camping up at Mimiwhangata; descending en masse on various friends' beach houses scattered round the upper North Island; or simply hanging around Auckland because there's no one left intown, which means it is nice and quiet. At this time of the year the word getaway is as much a state of mind as a place, I feel.
I love it because ...
Of the family and friends bit, mainly, although if there is a beach involved I am doubly happy.
If the weather's fine you'll find me out and about at ...
Again, going back to the beach thing there is something wonderfully therapeutic about staring out at that big, blue, watery thing. It is even better if it is warm enough to swim in.
Or just lying in a deckchair enjoying ...
Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys on my iPod (the best summer album in the world ever) while desperately trying to read all the books I bought for summer last year before starting on this year's crop.
The TV shows and websites I can't miss are ...
Non-existent (after the Outrageous Fortune Xmas special on Boxing Day, that is) because this is the one time of the year where all that stuff really doesn't factor into it. Except, of course, for the episodes of the next series of Outrageous Fortune I have to write before we start shooting again next year - but that's a whole other kettle of fish and I can think about that tomorrow.
Holiday food means ...
Thinking I should really have some salad with this sausage in bread.
And when the sun goes down it's time for ...
The kids to go to bed; the screw-top to be unscrewed on a fine bottle of pinot noir; contemplation of the serenity of summer. Then probably a DVD.
