The Festive Season down under

Bringing kids to see Santa in shorts and sunglasses, shopping for xmas presents covered in factor 30, gasping for water after putting up the xmas decorations in 35 degree weather, snow-themed xmas decoration displays in shops full of summer clothes, people sweltering in santa hats at work parties.... Just some of the ingredients for your typical Aussie xmas...
We celebrated Christmas Day in true aussie style - enjoying a barbeque and some cricket at a friend's place. Very different to any Christmas I've ever had but no less enjoyable - except we didn't get to taste any of the trifle we'd made for the event... The next day, Stephens Day, we had a traditional turkey dinner chez nous but after strawberries and champagne down on the beach - so not that traditional.
It was nearly 45 degrees in Melbourne on New Years Eve - so none of that covering up that sparkly NYE outfit in a heavy coat and scarf... Michelle and I escaped the heat and headed to Torquay, a surfer's town south of Melbourne, for some beach time, a barbie (another one) before seeing in the new year in the local pub five minutes away and getting rather drunk at it... Good fun and not freezing your butt off whilst seeking out a taxi or Nitelink at 5am made it all the better. January here is like August back home - lots of businesses closed, it's the silly season politics and media-wise and locals have made their way to holiday spots while tourists have taken their place back home. The festive season hasn't really finished - Australia Day has yet to be celebrated on 26 January so more fireworks and partying then!
It being 2 weeks into January, this comes rather late.. but a very happy new year to everyone!!! All the best in 2006!!!