An Aussie Boxing Day at Glenelg

On Boxing Day afternoon we collected at Donna and Patrick's house for a late lunch/early dinner.  Andreena, John, Margaret and Gordon came from Gawler to join us for the combined family event.  The weather was perfect, only 24 degrees, and sunny.

We dined on all the leftovers from the previous day, plus a new trifle made by Margaret.  There was a little competition as to who made the best trifle, but I think we decided that they were both delicious.  It never ceases to amaze me how different each trifle is, and how confusing it is for a novice like me.  Each person is so sure that the way they make the trifle is the correct way.   

We ate more prawns, and I can honestly say that I have had enough prawns now.  No more until next Christmas. 

Altogether, it was an excellent lunch, shared in great company.

Billie-Joe, Jay and Margaret.

Andreena, Billie-Joe and Jay.

Donna, Walter with Andreena getting into the photograph too.

The boys, Gordon, John, Jespa and Patrick, sitting together with the esky.

Scott and Darren, looking very handsome, and dressed alike in their checked shirts

We ended the day with a perfectly clear skype to the rest of the family in the Netherlands.  Emma, Steve, Jackson and Isabel spent Christmas with the van Dam clan in Houten.   It was lovely to talk to them, both on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day.  Modern technology is great for communicating when families are so far away from each other.

Walter and I drove back to Aldings Beach as the sun was setting over the sea.  Very pretty.

We deterred slightly after we drove up the hill, in order to get a close up view of the Christmas lights on the houses in a street in Lonsdale.

There must have been a competition between the residences in this street, as they were all very elaborate.

And it was certainly worth taking the detour.   We were not disappointed.

We arrived home in time to see the large full moon, rising in the east.

Another super happy family day.

An Aussie Christmas Day at Aldinga Beach

An Aussie Christmas Day.  Quite different from Christmas in the United Kingdom, and Europe.  The weather here dictates events, although airconditioning helps considerably, so no longer sweating over a hot meal in 30+ degree heat.

There had been the usual busy lead up to Christmas, with parties, and seemingly out of control shopping.  A very late shopping expedition at a large shopping centre, meant coping with mayhem inside the centre at 10 pm and  then when we left we had to avoid long queues of cars on the roads outside, all trying to get into the carparks.   But all that is over now, and we can settle down to enjoy the festivities and relax.

Donna, Patrick and Scott stayed with us at Darrens, which was lovely.   We all enjoyed a few drinks, and some more, plus a barbeque with Dave and Sonya, on Christmas Eve.   A very warm evening.   Great fun.

After Dave and Sonya left, around midnight, Walter, our sober driver, drove a very merry Darren, Donna and me around the neighbourhood to look at the Christmas lights.   Unfortunately the lights had all been dimmed.  Too late at night.  A great drive though with all car windows down, but no music blaring.  That would have been just too crass.

The photo below was taken about 9.30pm last night.  Only the reindeer were visible on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas activity for families here, is to drive around suburbs and look at the Christmas lights on houses.  They are spectacular I must admit, the best I have ever seen.  I have been told LED lights keep the price of electricity down.

The house behind Darren's street.  Amazing.  Last year the owner fell off his house while putting up his lights.  Luckily he recovered in time to put on a great display this year.

Christmas morning.  I know the photograph makes it look as if we had not gone to bed, but in fact we did manage a few hours of sleep, although there were some people who were feeling a little delicate in the morning.  But a few glasses of 6% fizz, and orange juice, plus croissants filled with ham and cheese, revived us and we were ready to start the day.

Present opening time. And there were lots of them.  As always, the most electronically minded, Scott, wanted to be the first to check out my new Smart Watch.  Now before anyone thinks that hundreds of dollars were spent on my latest gadget, it was bought from Target.   Only $100 and it works brilliantly.

As a joke people sometimes give Target a French pronunciation, in order to elevate its position a little in the world.  But there is no doubt Target has become a little more upmarket these days.

And Donna received a Fitbit, so some competition there.   The line up of Smart Watch and Fitbit on the table, with the accompanying smart phones which the new devices must be linked to, in order to work.

And for those that are eagle eyed, also on the table are the Aussie accessories, mosquito repellent and a bottle of beer in its super cool neoprene stubbie holder.

In the afternoon Billie brought Jay and Jespa to Darren's house and we had more present time.   The house by then was starting to look as if there had been a present explosion.

The culmination of present opening resulted in the uncovering of the surf boards, hidden behind the water tank.   A very exciting time.

  

The seafood platter,  the ultimate of Christmas fare.   It was donated by Scott, who had it made up by Woolworths.  What a beauty.   We devoured it very quickly.  So delicious, and such a luxury, especially the oysters.

 After temperatures of 38 degrees all day, a cool change had arrived by the time we set off for the beach.

Donna, Patrick and Scott with Poppy.  Apparently the water was warm, but I decided not to join then as there was a cool wind.  Poppy loved the water.

Patrick told us all that this was the life, there was no going back to the UK.

Still plenty of cars on the beach.

Poppy and her sandy nose.  So cute.

The line up of the non swimmers, mostly dressed in swimwear, but not wet

Jay and Jespa tried out their new surfboards, and luckily there were some waves.

Jay sitting on her board waiting for the next wave to appear.

Finally we sat down to Christmas dinner, at 7 pm.   Cold meats and salads followed by a trifle.   All delicious.

And that ended a truly lovely Aussie Christmas Day at Aldinga Beach.

The road to Bethlehem

A nativity play with a difference.  But it can only take place in a very large hall or when the weather is totally reliable.

The Seven Day Adventist Church at Jespa's school prepared an Australian wide scripted play, which led the audience, in small groups, through the different events that led to the birth of Jesus.

We waited for our turn, in the arena, which included plenty of stalls from which to buy goodies.

Jay and Lucy.   It was Lucy's last evening in Adelaide before flying to the UK the next day.

There was even a tent selling espresso coffee.  This is Australia, after all.

Jespa and Billie, enjoying being amongst the animals.  There was a very cute llama, who took a great interest in my jacket.

Finally it was our turn, to take the road to Bethlehem.  First stop the market.

Second stop.  The Angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph.   The taking on of a huge responsibility by Mary and Joseph.

The discussion about the census.  This scene was very witty.

The news reaches King Herod's Palace.

And he was not happy.

The shepherds were waiting eagerly,  on the new arrival.

The baby has arrived, and crying boisterously as he was hungry.   Billie and Jespa had their photograph taken with the special couple.   It was a truly lovely walk to Bethlehem.

Sadly, we were unable to attend a Carols by Candlelight service, but we did go to a carol service at Edge Church.  Very loud, enthusiastic and American in style. 

Impressive singing and acting.

Tonight I attended Mass at the local church in Aldinga.  Very calm and airconditioned, with a marvellous view of the surrounding brown hills and green grape vines.

The Christmas message came across very clearly.  I loved it.  Simple and familiar. 

A short stay in Blackwood

We spent a lovely few days with Moira, in her home up in the wooded hills of Blackwood.  A lovely cool house, with a huge shaded verandah at the back, and an excellent view down into the shallow valley.

There were eucalyptus trees everywhere, as there would have once been a forest here.

The white mottled trunks, and green leaves were spectacular as was the prolific bird life.  We heard one kookaburra calling out, but did not see it.  There are also koalas in the trees too but they were absent, no doubt they were elsewhere in search of food.

And there were some trees with distinctive black branches

We experienced beautiful sunsets, after the hot days.

It was great to spend the time with Moira, with plenty of talking and eating.  Sadly Stan passed away sixteen months ago, and it was strange not having his smiling face there.   We really missed him.   But I did manage to drink some of his excellent wine!

We also went shopping with Moira, and visited new shopping centres.   We were amazed at the low prices in the discount chemist warehouse, with a cut price supermarket next door, which sold out of date, or nearly out of date produce.  Great value.  Mind you we only sampled the chocolate bars, and they were okay.   Cherry Ripe.  Scrumptious.

I was fascinated by the huge containers of powders, different brands, which apparently build up muscle power.   Or so they say.  Big business here, by the looks of it.  Men in Australia like to look good, apparently.

On the last day we relunctantly said goodbye to Moira and set forth in the simmering heat, towards Aldinga Beach.

An evening at Aldinga Beach

A very hot evening at Aldinga Beach.   After a 40 degree day, the temperature was still hovering at around 38 degrees by 7.30 pm.   Hot, hot, hot.

There were plenty of people on the beach, enjoying the last rays of sunshine.  Aldinga Beach is the last remaining beach that allows vehicles on it.  In the hot weather it is fantastic to drive onto the beach in an airconditioned car, run into the cool water, then back into the car to return home for a shower.  Of course it is even better to put the marque up, get out the picnic table and spend the day lounging beside the car.

Our destination was not the beach, but the airconditioned comfort of the Victory Hotel, up on the hill.

A large sprawling hotel, with a busy restaurant, beer garden, and crowded bar.   We chose the crowded bar, as we did not feel like dining in a formal atmosphere or pay the prices of a restaurant.  We also had not booked a table, which was essential at this hotel.  On walking through the restaurant I was amazed at how many people were wearing rubber flip flops (jandals, thongs).   Very casual.

The view from the hotel is superb, especially at sunset.

The electricity poles do tend to get in the way of the view though.

The South Australian stobie pole, invented by Mr Stobie of course.   Stobie poles are very sturdy, being made out of metal railway lines, with concrete inserts.  No problems with white ants eating them.

We sat outside with our drinks, and then managed to find some stools to sit on, in order to eat our dinner at the bar.   Hamburger for Walter, fish and chips for Darren and salt and pepper squid for me.  My favourite and cooked to perfection.  I have waited nearly two years for this meal, and I was not disappointed.

We drove back to Darren's house for coffee, and to finish off a delicious bottle of wine that I had bought from Moira's house.

A beautiful sunset,

plus a lovely cloud formation.

And when we went to bed the temperature was still in the thirties.  Adelaide certainly knows how to turn the heat on.