The Festivities begin

The build up - Xmas on the Beach

As usual Saturday afternoon 20 Dec saw the last Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club session of the year. Kids worked out on the beach as normal, but as it was such lovely day, a lot of time was spent in the Water. After the Junior sessions the Adults took over on the Club Balcony and we just had to partake of a couple of ales to whet the whistle. Santa arrived duly on the 4x4 and the kids queued up for hours (it seemed) while we took loads of attention from the Balcony. Well someone had to mind Charlie!!

The Build up - the Office parties

At my new office and in the work situation generally, they have been working up for a big close down for a little while now. My new works office party was held at the Adelaide Zoo. I thought it pertinent not to attend as I'm only just through the door. Better to have a full year and a bit of history under the belt I reckon.The building game stops for around 3 weeks, as do it seems a lot of trades and businesses until the 12th Jan. It is worth remembering however that this is actually their main summer holiday over here. The schools have broken up for 6-8 weeks depending on whether public or private sector. At work on Christmas eve they organised a sausage sizzle BBQ out the back with the customary beer or wine. A nice way to sign off. They also always have a little drink every Friday night at the office after work, before all going their own separate ways. (some I think, of the younger fraternity do seem to nip off to Glenelg for a few bevvies. Guess I'd better tag along one night soon.... There are some great sights in Glenelg if you catch my drift. Debi is not reading this right now, but if she does, I won't make it out for the Friday night in Glenelg!!!

I'd managed to persuade my new boss (sounds strange that!) to get me out for round at his club up the road in Glenelg. Its ranked in the top 100 courses in Oz, and only one of 7 South Australian courses that made that top 100. Was a great course, surprisingly next to the Airport runway, but you wouldn't have known it... If this was next to Heathrow, I know it would have been a nightmare. As it was the Qantas and Singapore Airlines planes taking off and landing, actually added to the atmosphere.

Christmas Day

Christmas has now come and gone, what was it like I hear you say, our first Christmas in the Sun. Truth be known it passed fairly unspectacularly, but it was great all the same. We headed for the beach in the morning, as much to walk Charlie boy as to just do the British thing and hit the beach on Christmas day. There was a nice atmosphere down there, loads of people just walking up and down, either getting some air with friends and family or just like us, a family walk with the dog.

Our guests Ashley, Andrew, their kids Hannah 9 and Lewis 7 (same as Georgia and Jamie) brought their new 6 week old German Pointer puppy called Martha, so a lot of fun was had watching Charlie and this new puppy get acquainted. Everybody had a swim as it was circa 28c in order to work up an appetite for the main XMAS dinner, prepared as usual by head Chef - Debi. I did contribute this time however (buying the wine) by helping prepare the Veg. They all stayed over so we were all able to enjoy the day to the Max. the kids on their games, and the adults on the Vino. Some things never change.

The Aftermathe

Boxing day, our guests left around midday, I went for a bike ride up to Belair National Park, in

order to clear some cobwebs. All off road and fairly easy. I have met a decent bloke (another Northern Englishman, this time from Middlesborough) who goes out every Sunday with a bunch of his mates. They load up their mountain bikes and travel, to take in a load of challenging (and dangerous it would seem) rides each week. I would love to join them, but need to sort out my mountain bike as it's brakes are like greased baking paper.

Beach Volleyball and Racing

Saturday 27 Dec, and we all went down to Glenelg (where I work - but it's also the main Resort of the City) to walk along the beach and take in the holiday atmosphere. It was fantastic, as so much was going on. Gents and ladies beach volleyball, (no prizes for guessing which we stopped to watch) (ogle at), live bands, 4 on 4 basketball, bungy jumps (the tame sort, like trampolining with safety harnesses). We stopped for lunch at a lovely outdoor bistro, where Charlie behaved like a perfect Gentleman, and Debi and I could partake of a couple of Sauvignan Blancs. After this we headed for the athletics on the Colley Reserve, a kind of village green, with banked up grass mounds all around it (one corner being the Coopers Corner Bar - the local ale). This was being televised with some supposed big Aussie athletes competing - but under handicaps. i.e. one Olympian started her 800 metres some 100 metres behind the others, which turned out to be too tall an order. Made for good viewing though.

Golf and Cricket - how good can Sundays be..

Sun 28 Dec, at last played close to handicap ~(1 worse) at my Golf Club Blackwood Park. Not sure if it was down to the 7.21 start, or starting at the 10th, but it was my best game here by far. Even had a drizzle of rain on the way round, you'll be pleased to note. Had to do the early start as I knew I had sponsors tickets to the night cricket, so needed to get out and back asap.

In the Evening I persuaded Jamie to come with me to see the 20/20 Cricket under lights at the Adelaide Oval. On the way I picked up Derek Finch, an Old EBOGFC mate of mine I played with in the eighties, who has been her about 14 years. It was the Adelaide Redbacks v Perth Warriors, which Adelaide won comfortably. Phil Hoffmann Travel, (my new firm) are one of the Sponsors, so I had tickets for the evening in the members enclosure. Jamie wanted to sit in the front row, and we were right by the players entrance mid wicket as they entered and left the field. We both needed a toilet break during the proceedings, and while we were gone a Six was hit which would have taken Jamies' block off as it landed right where he was sitting. I would have dropped it no doubts. Jamie loved the evening as I loved having him there, explaining the rules and watching him work out what was going on with scoring and fielding and all.

In the last few days we have spoken to family and good friends via either Skype or MSN. These leave us somewhat bemused, as one minute you are in the same room as someone 1/2 a World away and the next minute they have gone. Quite emotional moments actually, as we still miss a lot about our old UK life, in particular the people and have yet to really settle down here in Adelaide, despite the brave faces. It will take a lot longer than the 4 months we've now had to feel at one with our new surroundings and start to grow the friendships that become special.