Christmas Eve Sundowners!!!

Well Xmas Eve rolled in for Sar's and I with no plans in particular, a dangerous position to be as many of you would agree! As there was nothing cemented in I suggested to Sar's that we invite the neighbours over for sun downers on the driveway at around 5.30, neighbours being 3 couples within 50 meters of our house. One set were going away (Simon & Danni) the others were going with the kids to look at the Christmas lights (Chris & Sonia) though would join us for one before they left and Andrew was in straight away as he and Caryn had no plans themselves with Caryn being at work until 6.30. Anyway we pulled the chairs onto the driveway, the thinking behind the driveway that we could coax any passers by in for an Xmas pint, put the carols on in the background and cracked a frosty. What better way to start Xmas eve. Andrew promptly arrived followed by Chris, Sonia and family all wearing very respectable headgear down to 2 year old Tayla. All was well, Chris and family left to see the lights joking that if we were still going when they got back they would be back over! Ha ha. Before we knew it Caryn was home from work and having her 3rd drink the carols had turned into Live and we had ordered and eaten pizza, Chris and Sonia were back over after having been out, come back home got the kids to bed and arrived as promised. A few drinks later we were all in the road discussing the pros of having good Christmas lights on your house, there were no cons, we were also planning our assault on the Xmas lights competition for next year. The way we were talking Vegas would be considered dull!!! At some stage Chris mentioned he still had to build a bike, Sarah swallowed a beetle and Mine and Andrew's 11th beer had dried up so it was back to the house where we sat watching Chris and Sonia build Xmas presents. Before knew it 5.30 had become 12.30 and after wishing all a merry Xmas it was off to bed.

You cannot argue that the impromptu get together more than often turns out to be the best!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone we hope you all had a fantastic day, we certainly did along with a super impromptu Christmas Eve involving neighbours and a few sun downers! We will provide the full details over the next few days when I actually find myself at home for a few hours without there being cricket on!!

We wish you all the best for a great new Year and a prosperous 2007.

Mac and Sar's

Xmas Party

Saturday night was my annual company Christmas party in Brisbane. It is the one time of year that everyone from both the Brisbane office and the Gold Coast office are all together so you don't really know what to expect from the evening. Being up in Brisbane we were put up in a hotel for the evening so that no one had to be considered a designated driver and all could just relax and have a good time.

The evening was absolutely fantastic, we were on an old paddle steamer called the Kookaburra Queen on the Brisbane River. We spent just over 4 hours cruising the river with all the city lights in view and many festive lights visible on the banks. As for the food there truly was something for everyone with a buffet style arrangement which included plenty of seafood. It was really nice to try different things though I stayed away from the Moreton Bay bugs and won't be rushing out to purchase any Oysters anytime soon, though very different I just couldn't understand what the big deal was with them, the Calamari on the other hand was sensational. True to the festive season spirit this was washed down with between 6 and 60 drinks of different sorts though by going on ten thirty I had introduced myself to Mr Johnny Black again and once again we were getting on famously. You just can't beat the good drink.

Once the boat docked a few of us headed to the Pig & Whistle for a nightcap which consisted of a few more beers and a Guiness. As we were about to leave the discussion turned to Rum which most people were drinking, being the quiet bloke I am I happened to mention the Captain and was told in no uncertain terms that in Queensland you only drink Bundy at which point one was thrust into my hand. Not bad I must say but there is still nothing like a good Cappies and Coke.

Overall it was a very enjoyable evening/early morning which most people seemed to enjoy. It was really super to see Brisbane from the river at night which looked surprisingly larger than I thought it actually was.

Sunday morning Sar's and I headed to the Queen Street Mall early for breakfast and to have a little look around. Thank heavens we did as I wound up etting Sarah her Christmas present thinking I still had plenty of time not realising that Christmas is on MONDAY!!!!!!

Well I am o leave from Friday for a few weeks during which time we will be welcoming our first international guests since we arrived, Carine Court is preparing for her international debut. Colin (Thommo) and Eve are out from the UK and will be spending the 1st week in January with Sar's and I on the Coast in which time we will try and show them as much as possible of South East Queensland. It should be a blast and we are really looking forward to catching up with some good mates from Mud Island/South Africa.

I am sure I will post again before Xmas but if not we hope you have a super xmas and a happy New Year.

Xmas is Definately Here

Friday night Sar's and I decided to go and look at all the Christmas lights on peoples houses. Over here it seems to be the done thing to decorate your house in late November with lights to celebrate the festive season. It is really a lovely thing to drive around seeing the many houses decorated with lights and the like. Some areas really go overboard though, we went up one road that is fairly well known on the Gold Coast for the effort everyone on the road puts into their lights. We could not believe it when we arrived at this road, we had to park down another street firstly, there were people everywhere walking up and down looking at the lights and the residents were loving it, some even standing on their driveways giving the kids sweets as they walked past. I thought I had seen everything until the first of 3 tour busses pulled in!!!!! Yes they do trips around the coast to show you all the best lights. One house actually had an operating Ferris Wheel and train in the front garden with xmas music playing in the background, oh yes their entire balcony was taken up by a smoke blowing snowman and their roof with Santa and his 8 reindeer. It is really amazing the length people will go to and it really does add to the Christmas feel about the neighbourhood. It does however make my front lights along the gutters and Santa in the window look like a poor effort. Here is a clip
from one of the houses.

One Year On

Who would believe but is is 1 year today since Sarah and I left mud island. It has obviously been a massive year for us so i thought we would put down some the changes to our lifestyles and firsts that have taken place since we left the UK:

1: My sister got married in January
2: Became an Uncle to twins
3: Moved to Australia
4: Bought a house
5: Spent a christmas at home (1st in 4 years)
6: Steve Irwin died
7: A South African ex president died
8: We bought a car
9: We have both started surfing
10:It is warm all year round
11: Bought a beer fridge
12: Drove a bobcat
13: Started playing cricket again (indoor)
14: Joined a touch football league
15: Watched a Bok vs Wallabies Test in OZ (another record loss for the Boks)
16: Watched my first Ashes Test live
17: Arranged the inaugral Aussie Ushering
18: 3 of my mates got married.
19: We have started running.
20: Climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge

I am sure the following year will be as good and eventful as the past year.

Ushering Success

Well the first official Ozzie Ushering has been held on the Gold Coast with much success. All in all there were 12 participants who embraced it with the enthusiasm expected for the occasion. At first invite there were questions over the reasons for headgear though I must say on the night all who came along definately played there part from singing Antlers through to a rather large Cat in the Hat hat. With the evening kicking off at six pm the curtain finally drew closed at just after 2am with the variety of drinks ranging from punch with a punch to Vodka Jelly. Needless to say Sunday was classed as "Ashes Sunday" with the only activity being the watching of the cricket.

The evening was a great success and is now a firm fixture on the Ozzie calendar.