October snow in the UK, turnaround in fortune

We heard about a big dump of snow back in blighty, so much in fact that many branches and in some cases trees had fallen down. I could just picture many of our friends and their kids revelling in being off school and messing about in the snow. Made me realise just how far away we are. We are unlikely to see any snow falling here, a dumping of a few weeks rain is what is required to help ease the drought.

We did however try and recreate a bit of old home by trying to do a bit of trick or treating. Georgia and Jamie along with two new friends Hannah and Lewis, dressed up accordingly and then set about knocking on some doors to earn some booty. They had some success, but the local Aussies were simply not prepared for this. It meant nothing to them really, I could see the thoughts going through their heads, "we don't need this American stuff on our doorsteps". We got a suitable supply of sweets and some diet coke and the kids returned to demolish the lot, during their sleepover.

Saturday afternoon, saw Georgia and Jamie back at the Seacliff surf life saving club, on the beach at Seacliff, just 15 minutes from where we are living. From 1.30 until 4pm they are full on, in groups with kids of their age, playing beach games, wading, paddling on surfboards, relays ion the sand etc etc. Georgia has never been so active for such along period. It can't fail to do them good. Interesting to note the Aussies revel in the competition element. Almost every activity ends up with a winner or with them all achieving a goal, be it to just finish. Tough for us parents too, sitting around on the beach taking it all in. Charlie the dog can now come too, as he is through all his jabs, but he has to be kept on a lead during summer months.

The turnaround referred to, was for events back in London where my beloved Spurs managed in this last week, to dismiss a manager and all his backroom staff; beat Bolton; draw away with Arsenal 4-4 but come back from 4-2 down with just minutes to go; finally defeating Liverpool 2-1 with another last minute winner. I mean Spurs just do not do that sort of thing. Harry Redknapp has had an astounding start indeed. Have really enjoyed mixing it with Arsenal and Liverpool fans, as we have been the butt of too many jokes for far too long. Fingers crossed we can keep the bubble from bursting too early as undoubtedly it will.

Tonight I'm off to the City to catch a few beers and watch Adelaide Utd in the 1st leg of the Asian Champions league final. Should be fun as they've set up big screens in Elder Park on the banks of the Torrens in the shadow of the Adelaide Oval. Actually I was near there yesterday as I managed to slip in 9 holes of Golf at the pay and play North Adelaide course. The whole city after lunch appeared to shut down as Melbourne Cup fever took hold of most of Australia. I assume the equivalent of our Grand National. Needless to say I didn't take it in, not being much of a horse racing buff.