Happy New Year

First there were Christmas celebrations and now we have New Year celebrations.  Life in the fast lane.   I love it.

But first an enounter with the notorious Australian icon, namely the redback spider.  And thankfully I was not visiting an outdoor toilet so it was not under the toilet seat.

I was flipping bits and pieces over in Darren's trailers, and lo and behold there was a large redback spider under a piece of cardboard, which I dropped very rapidly I might add.

Now you may have to tap on the photograph below to enlarge it so you can clearly see the spider with its distinctive red stripe.  I can assure you that this spider was very much alive when Walter photographed it.  I was not impressed.

However, on to a much more pleasurable topic, namely New Year celebrations.

Firstly, in order to participate in any type of celebration,  one needs to purchase bags of ice to put in the esky in order to keep the beer icy cold.  Forget about the food.

The esky, which was full of ice and beer yesterday.

The venue for the New Years Eve celebration was Donna and Patrick's house in Glenelg.  There was quite a gathering:  Donna, Patrick, Scott, Lucy, Tara, Andreena, John C, Jennie, John S, Sonya, Darren, Walter and me.  

After a few bottles of beer and a few glasses of wine were consumed, plus nibbles, we settled down to an Aussie barbeque of large pork sausages, and beef and chicken hamburgers, cooked to perfection by Patrick.  Plus three refreshing salads to add a healthy touch.

But the question under discussion still remains unswered, 'Do Australian people mostly eat beef sausages?'

Then it was off to the seafront at Glenelg to see the 9.30 pm firework display.  People were pouring into the area.  There were mostly families so the atmosphere was very happy and relaxed.

Some of our group, with their arms outstretched. Hurray, Happy New Year.

The sunset.

The lights reflecting onto the sand, and the people waiting in anticipation.  The lucky people that live in the units no doubt had a perfect view of the fireworks.

Darkness descended,

and the fireworks began and continued for ten minutes.  We thought they were much better this year but perhaps we were more accepting this time around.  Everyone around us certainly enjoyed the display.

There was a huge police presence in Glenelg, plus two huge water trucks blocking Jetty Road.  Sadly this was done to prevent any mad person attempting a terrorist attack on the venue.  Sad really.

We returned to the house, where we ate our dessert: delicious cake, fruit salad and custard.   Most of the guests went home before the New Year madness on the streets began, but the younger members continued to party.  Scott went off to see his friends and Lucy and Tara returned to Glenelg Square, where there was plenty of action.

Walter, Donna and I peacefully saw the new year in.  Patrick decided that he was too tired and went off to bed.  Altogether a really great New Year celebration.

New Years Day.  A peaceful walk along the path along the cliff tops above the rock shelf at Aldinga.  

Then off to Moana Beach to meet up with Darren, Sonya, Jennie and John.

And of course Elvis, the dog.

A little chilly though, not a good day for swimming.

But the Surf Life Saving club members were still out patrolling the beach.

Jennie and John managed a short paddle in the water.

Lunch at the cafe was scrumptious;  fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, fisherman's basket and calzone were all cooked to perfection.  We were very happy people.

And now we begin 2017.  Happy New Year to everyone.