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.
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