Boxing Day

Boxing Day started quietly; our date today, was to go to Ash and Sue's for a late lunch, and I was in charge of creating a potato salad. Of course my eye was on the TV watching the yachts get ready for the Sydney to Hobart Race. I feel there is a need to do this, as when Mum lived in her apartment at Vaucluse, she took great pleasure in inviting her family and friends over for brunch/lunch to watch the start of this race every Boxing Day - Mum had an excellent view of Sydney Harbour Heads from her balcony. The Brig and I have also been out on yachts or launches in the observer/spectators fleet for the start of this race on a few occasions - it is absolutely spectacular and a little, no very wild. So after the start of this Boxing Day's race and the potato salad created, we left for Sue and Ash's.

There were 14 of us, sitting outside under the tree for the majority of the time, and then Sue and Ash served a great buffet lunch in their new supa dupa kitchen - just finished.

Then back home to call Frank's brother for his 65th Birthday in Oxfordshire, catch up on the Sydney to Hobart race, oh and the Cricket, more food and drinks, and an extremely early night.

Christmas Day - everywhere

We have received photos from different parts of this world, below are my cousin, Nal and Ross's 3 grandkids (Miss Molly, Katie Jane and James) enjoying their new pool and the giant floating octopus in Canberra on Christmas Day.

And below are the 4 grand God kids in Amherst, New Hampshire

And the Sheffield crowd

Miss Emm's with a new hair deco, and below Jack in the Barn's courtyard with his Christmas bike

And the whole crew at the front of the Barn, there is a reason why Matt is disguised at this particular time!

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We went to Gail and Steve's for our Christmas Feast

Table set for the official Christmas works, roast pork, glazed ham, turkey, lovely roasted vegies and Gail's wonderful Xmas pudding.

The 8 of us (Auntie Beryl, Uncle John, Neirdre, Gail, Steve, Petrina, the Brig and I) commenced with fresh prawns and wine out on their patio first.

Petrina and I with some Christmas cheer.

And of course Miss Scruffy's bed look festive as well.

Lovely day, home by 7pm where we watched with my Uncle and Aunt the movie Australia..

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Last night after the birthday crowd left, we (my Aunt and Uncle) and the Brig and I sat down to a large plate of ham, cheese, pickled onions and biscuits, and watched and listened to a great DVD which my cousin Ash and his wife Sue had given us earlier in the day. Five young men called Celtic Thunder entertained us with some magnificent Christmas carols and songs - really outstanding. After that we went on and watched "Red Dog" again, my Aunt and Uncle had not seen it. So a very quiet and happy evening.

I must say I look at the ornaments on our tree every time I pass it

so many of them have been given to us from dear friends and family

just lovely memories every time I pass this tree.

and my card tree - there are some clever friends represented here to, I do recycle the hand made cards year after year.

This morning the Brig and I were up early (5 am) had a cuppa and opened our gorgeous presents from friends and family, really just lovely. We then spent nearly and hour on the phone to Auckland while the Kiwi Wroes opened their presents, the phone call was finished with them singing "we wish you a merry Christmas" across the Tasman. Since then have glazed a ham, and at midday we take off to Gail and Steves for a large Christmas lunch, starting with fresh prawns from the trawlers.

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HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY - ENJOY THIS SPECIAL DAY.

Christmas Eve Lunch

Yesterday, 16 of the family met down at our Golf Club for a Bistro Lunch to celebrate Uncle John's 79th birthday.

Above is Petrina, home from 5 months in India with her Buddha type hairstyle - I love it, and Maddie whose exam results have given her entrance to Griffith University for an Arts Degree - great interest in writing, and she has the scarf on which we bought back from Italy for her 18th birthday.

Above (l to r) is Maddie's twin, Alex who has just received the most superb final exam results, really leaving him open to opt for nearly all University courses, then their younger brother, Lachie, and then Ann and Wayne's son Blake, who has just finished Uni, and is working for good old IBM.

Then there are the rest of us

We came back to our place for coffee and Uncle's birthday cake

Moi took one photo

And Sue took the other, - very nice day.

And at Hassop Hall, Derbyshire

Last week, the relos in Sheffield joined a good couple of friends for a post retirement grand luncheon at the lovely old Hassop Hall, in Bakewell, Derbyshire.

The gardens look magnificent, even under an english misty sky.

Lovely old reception rooms

Below (l to r) Margaret (Frank's sister), her husband Kevin, and their good friends Alan and Sue.

Apparently it was a superb meal, in lovely surroundings

Hassop Hall, just perfect for a little pre-Christmas luxury.

And at Ayers Rock (Yulara)

Well, no reindeers in the Red Centre, Santa chose an outback chopper to land at the Ayers Rock Resort to meet all the little ones,

'specially young Mikie

who has just moved to the Rock from Alice a couple of weeks ago

Mikie has just turned 2

and has spent all this time in the Red Centre

The big Red man hands the little man in red his Chrissy present

Mikie has the "unwrapping" of his present well in hand.

This was followed by a ride in a Tug Boat

in the very green "Red Centre"

And in Minnisota

The eldest grandson, Jack, in front of his Mum's Christmas tree in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Jack is heavy into ice hockey

A Dolphins Tale

How pleasant was this morning, we went into the Robina Town Centre to do a few things, and then go to the Cinema. Our choice was the movie "A Dolphins Tale". Absolutely magic. It is based on a true story about a dolphin who gets tangled within cray pot ropes, and eventually has to lose her tale because of the infection disabling her swimming action. At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Care Centre, it is decided to create a prosthetic tail for her - she was named "Winter".

This was designed and built more than once, and after some trial and tribulations, Winter began to use this prosthetic tail most successfully.

This movie is based on a true story, and Winter who is alive and kicking today at the Clearwater Marine Centre in Florida, played herself in the movie. And to top it off for me, she had Harry Connick Jnr, as one of her co actors.

Another little surprise was that we were given free tickets - as we had seen the necessary number of movies on our "seniors on-line" pass to win the freebie. A really magic story and another great lead up to Christmas.

Jack and Emms in Nottingham

Another visit to Santa at the Lakeside in Nottingham, Frank's sister, Margaret and Kevin took their eldest son Daniel, his partner Leanne and Dan's two kids - Jack and Emily for lunch with Santa last Saturday - not sure how rapted Emms is with the big man in person, but she will come around after his visit on Christmas morning I'm sure.

Sounds like the 3 generations really love their visit to Santa's place in Nottingham.

In England

More photos of the English relos preparing for their very big day - below is photo of neice Helen (Frank's bro's daughter) and her daughter Cerys, dressed as Mrs. Santa, me thinks!

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And Margaret and Kevin's internal tree (and its reflection) all lit up inside the Barn - lovely.

Now for some snow!

Tree, Tulips and Mangos

The Christmas tulips are in full bloom in the kitchen/family room

And the tree has been up for a couple of weeks

And I love it lighting up at 5.10 pm - Gold Coast time

Had early Christmas drinks and snacks with the Barrys and some other friends on Tuesday night - again a delightful evening.

AND

Satomi, our Japanese neighbour 2 doors up, came and presented us with a gorgeous box of Mangos (18) - with a lovely petite physical bow from her, and a "tank you for year". Satomi lives here with her 2 little ones, and her husband is based in Japan, so we sort of help her with a few little things, but if she can move the garbage bins on pick up day before us she does, very determined about that job. Pretty little soul, normally we get delivered Japanese chocolates, but this year it was delightful mangos. Satomi and the 2 kids (learning the violin - glad we aren't right next door) flew out to Japan on Monday for a few weeks.

New Hampshire and Colorado

I just received these following photos from Lois and Glenn of Thanksgiving at their place in New Hampshire, - below their daughter Mary, with Mary and Dana's twin daughters, Kyle and Haley - keeping warm.

This was followed up with a trip to Denver, for their grand daughter's 4 birthday.

A face painter also attended Caitlin's birthday party

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Caitlin reading to her dog - Apollo.

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And Caitlin with Santa in Denver. There was snow there last week - how great would that be.