First Christmas in Australia

On the day before Christmas  Eve we had the girls for the day - a nice diversion after all the unpacking of boxes (82) on Thursday.  We spent the morning on the beach at Brighton as it was a scorcher and most of the afternoon in the pool after a picnic lunch on the front lawn watching their local koala climbing high in the branches of a gum tree! 

The festivities really began with the Christmas Eve Community Carol Concert at Hewett Oval, Blackwood.  Over 2000 people turned up and it was a stunning occasion.  The evening began with lots of free activities for the children - camel rides, bouncy castle, pony rides, face-painting and side stalls.  Food was next on the agenda - Sausage Sizzle, Hot Cinnamon Doughnuts, Teas and Coffees (hardly sold any as it got to 40 degrees) and iced drinks - very popular.  Most things cost $1 or $2 just to cover the costs.  I volunteered to help on the doughnut stand and we must have heated and sugared over 1500 of the wretched things.

A huge stage was errected for the childrens choir, adult singers and band and the highlight for the children was a fabulous and funny puppet show.  Everyone bought chairs or blankets to sit on and the usual staples for this kind of event - an Esky filled with chilled beer, wine and nibbles. Candles were handed out as the sun went down and all in all it was a spectacular event and a great way to celebrate Christmas.

On Christmas Day we went to church (packed out and standing room only) then on to Karen's for present opening and traditional lunch under the veranda by the pool - prawn and avocado salad, roast turkey and all the trimmings, fruit pavlova and a selection of cheeses accompanied by some nice Merlot and Chardonnay.  The girls were very excited and thrilled with all their presents that Santa had delivered.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3jkHkJjXrg
We finished the evening with good friends from our new church - more wine, nibbles and relaxed conversation.  We got back quite late but in time to have a long chat to Iain via Skype at the start of his Christmas Day. The perfect end to a perfect day.