Christmas Eve in Willunga

Willunga is almost directly inland from Aldinga, about a 10 minute drive from Darren's house.  Our first port of call today, Christmas Eve, was to the Willunga markets.   A very popular market and full of local produce.    We bought peaches,nectarines, plums to make a fresh fruit salad for tomorrow.    We also collected the ham and pork roast from the butchers.    And drank a much needed cup of coffee at the organic cafe.    Willunga is a popular destination for people who wish to improve their quality of life, through eating organic food, and living a more leisurely pace of life.   Looks a bit hippy on the outside but it appears finance is not a problem with a fair proportion of the people.

TheWillunga market.

Then it was off to Billie-Joe's house for an early Christmas dinner with Billie-Joe, Jay and Jespa.    Morag was also there with her daughter, Murphy, and Morag's partner, Sean.

First of all we opened presents.  Murphy, Jay and Jespa received velour clog slippers from Aaron, Kylie and family in Holland.   They all opened their presents together as the parcels seemed to be the same size and shape.   And what a surprise!    No one expected clog slippers.     But they are fantastic!    And the kids love them too.

Walter received the longest Toblerone bar ever.

 Jespa received a new (second hand) bike.  He was chuffed with his present.

 Jay received new roller blades.  And whizzed around at top speed.   Luckily the house and garden is large enough for her to roller blade around.

 And then it was all hands on deck, in order to get the food on the table.   A delicious roast turkey and vegetables and some home grown vegetables.   But not forgetting our starters - fresh prawns.   Very Australian.   Yummy!  

This photo does not show how hot we all were, but luckily Billie-Joe had a large fan to keep us cool.

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 Then it was off to the pool to really cool down.   The most appropriate activity for a very hot day.   And what a perfect setting for a swimming pool.   

After we had a swim, we went back up to the house for the home made Christmas pudding.   The unanimous decision by all - it was the best Christmas pudding we have every eaten.   A star Christmas pudding maker, Billie-Joe.   

 We managed to finish our celebrations in time to attend the 7 o'clock Mass in the Church at Willunga.   Billie-Joe sang in the choir.    It was very crowded and very hot.   A lovely Mass though and the priest was so friendly.   A very special atmosphere.    Mind you I think we were all relieved to be outside after the Mass.   The air was cool by this stage.   There was also a truly magnificent sun set too.   A perfect end to a lovely day.