Christmas in the sun

Happy Christmas everyone! We have had the most wonderful Christmas in the Sun here in Oz, quite the best 'Summer Christmas' yet! Prior to the big day we had been hearing about all the snow in the UK and spent some time bemoaning the lack of a winter chill here, so went into the festivities feeling quite melancholy about the thought of what we were missing.

Our Christmas, however, turned out to be such a beautiful one - hot sunshine replaced the chill and our trip into Sydney on Christmas Eve to see the Great Christmas Caper at the Opera House sent proper Christmas tingles down our spines ready for the big day.

A boat trip across to Circular Quay, with our Christmas hats on and everyone in good cheer, found us at the Opera House (after ice creams all round) ready for our first venture inside.

The show was wonderful - rousing Christmas Carols we were able to stand up and sing along to (wow, the acoustics in that place are, unsurprisingly, phenomenal) and recognisable festive tunes from a children's choir and some well-known performers (opera and otherwise).

After champagne on the Opera Quay in the interval, even Santa made a visit, and we returned home to our well-lit home happy and ready to leave the customary whisky and mincepies out for Santa and stockings hanging.

The next morning saw the usual Christmas carnage of piles of wrapping paper and excited screams as the children unwrapped their sacks and Charlie the cat sat bemused amongst the piles of paper wondering to himself what we were up to this time. Santa had brought the kids skateboards (or, in William's case, a ripstick) so before long, the kids were racing up and down the driveway on their new toys.

Next it was time for the beach! Cozzies were changed into and off we went - Avalon Beach had wonderful surf so Katy and William loved whizzing in and out of the waves on their boards while Tom skipped in and out of the water's edge.

Around us there were Santa hats (including on the Surf Rescue folks) and even a little Christmas tree sitting in the sand. It was a lovely, and very different, Christmas experience!

By this time the midday sun was truly beating down and tummies were starting to rumble, so we decided to head homewards for lunch - a traditional Aussie barbie this year - prawns, salads, fruit, and lots of bubbly!

We bought a turkey too but decided to freeze and keep that for now. The kids got busy playing on their big family pressie - a Wii - then later we sat and opened all the pressies under the tree, more lovely gifts from everyone - thank you all lots (thank you letters to come......)!!!

The day was finished with the kids outside enjoying the Slip and Slide (courtesy of Morag) and lazy port and cheese for the adults. For a non-white Christmas, it really couldn't have been better!!!!!! (finished off with the Gullivers Travels movie on Boxing Day).

I made this little compilation of photos.... hope you enjoy!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too, and wishing you a very happy and healthy 2011!