xxx Merry Christmas from Oz xxx

Well even if it still doesn't seem to be the case at all from where I'm standing, we finally got indisputable proof through the door that it is actually Christmas time over here in Australia. We had the external fairy lights now (without going overboard... remember global warming?), the eighteen inch Chrissy tree on the dining table and now the ultimate in really telling it like it is, a Christmas card. And it had my name on it too WTF?

A huge thanks goes out to Cath Slater once again (but don't think I have forgiven you
 (or ever will) for burning me so badly that day at Newcastle..). Grrr

So, without further ado, may I take this opportunity to wish all you lovely readers the very best wishes and compliments of the season (Nice pressies... best compliment I could come up with at such short notice). I hope you guys get all you wish for and all the Christmas trees in all the world have Holden utes parked beneath them (because our resident commenter Godders, probably thinks the world would be a much better place if they did).

OK, Now for the bad news... Do Koalas actually exist? Without labouring on the point too much, it's been nearly six weeks now and there's still no sign of them. And at least the card above didn't show the old cliched scenes of snow, wise men, nativities etc which is good because I haven't seen any of those either (especially the wise men or at least, 3 of them all at once). LOL

The sandy beach and surf boards are really bang on though because to many over here, that is exactly what Christmas is all about. It's a day at the beach where the tourists ie me are usually dragged along and fed copious amounts of beer to render them unconscious and then left out to bake in the 40 degrees centigrade, midday, summer sun. There's only Cath Slater can ever burn a tourist any faster.

And besides all best efforts on my part, including putting up sparkly tinsel decorations, carol singing, finding recipies for roasting the resident cockatiels (don't tell Jodie) etc. I still cannot find the all so elusive Christmas spirit, it STILL doesn't feel right here. Not right at all. 

I know, maybe if you all came along and adorned me with rich and expensive gifts. Maybe that would provide me the missing link. And even if not, I could do with a new library of iThings and the like. And I would definitely make sure I had you thinking (if no one else) I felt it was more Christmassy for all your efforts (purely because I'm like that).

Seriously though, while over here on my jollies, it is hard to keep up with the everyday struggles of the real world and with this in mind, I would appreciate it if you could all return again tomorrow for the much awaited blog entry in appreciation of the voluntary emergency services that we have been spending so much time with. The service members that give up their time freely at the least opportune of moments and do so without want of recognition.

I've had a wonderful first five weeks here now, the weather has been brilliant if not milder (as in cooler) than normal, the temperatures comfortable, not too overbearing with excessive humidity, and the rainfall minimal, a far cry from last year. Yes it has all been fantastic but it could have all been so very different. Come back tomorrow and I'll show you all what I mean. And for those of you who can't make it, please come back real soon. 


And finally to all of you lovely readers, I demand you have a very merry Christmas and continue to drop by for a few words of wisdom from the silly old Englishman (git more like) who continues to boldy explore this amazing continent while forever continuing to dodge deportation at every step of the way (hope all is well back home).