So Here It Is...

i know, i know, a bit late...but better late than never right?






here, i'm memorialising our first xmas decs going up and marvelling at still how odd it feels to pin up fairy lights, set out the nativity scene and decorate the tree while the sun and heat flood around you. caitlin helped with the tree which may go some way to explaining why it's covred with every single decoration we brought with us from the UK. ok, i am exaggerating, we did manage to leave some baubles in the box but only after a protracted negotiation/explanation process with our artistic director.

caitlin models the santa hat/beach dress look whilst regaling us with her strange cry of ashaggala which she always makes when she pulls this face. it's been going on for about 2 years now and we are no closer to solving the mystery.




caitlin was very happy to see the nativity scene again (thanks, jean, a hit again). strict rules were needed to stop all the various characters migrating round the house and inevitably out to the garden. i didn't feel that the three shepherds would benefit much from a night in the tomato patch!

Santa Claus Is Coming to Pre-School

on a sunny warm afternoon, it was time for the pre-school christmas party. Please note the suitably bedecked emu garden statues...

We had the obligatory raffles - dear lord, these aussies so do love their raffles...can't really knock though as james and i have done well to date from them, winning toiletries, chocolates, t-shirts and yesterday, james scooped a goody bag from the local petrol station! and a $10 book voucher. after that, the kids all lined up to sing us a selection of party and christmas songs, Caitlin getting right into it as you can see. for those of you thus inclined, you can see a selection of little vids chronicling the songs, the folder presentation and the main event of santa's arrival here




there is an old family story of my impatience one year, believing i had been overlooked by santa during a primary school party..i stood up and loudly reminded santa of my existence. well, watching my daughter's anxiety(and the petted lip protrude) grow as the presents were handed out and none came her way made me reflect upon that and the miracle of hereditary traits. however, santa discovered her present before Caitlin fulfilled her destiny.










there is always next year.

warm balmy christmas nights

yes, this is as odd as it seems...



we were at a christmas do/barbecue, kindly hosted by one of james' colleagues vicky and it had got to that point in the night where it was late but no-one quite wanted to be the first to give in and go to bed, thus breaking the mood for everyone


so, vicky's husband, darryl, brought out a cardboard box and explained thus...the box goes on the ground and the contestants have to pick it up with their teeth, keeping one leg at all times straight. once everyone has had a go, he will cut an inch off the box and everyone tries again. as the game goes on, the box gets lower and lower...the game commenced and the only female contestant (i was keeping well out of it) was sadly hampered by her clothing, at one point being obliged to wear a towel around her middle to preserve her dignity as she lowered herself to pick up the box. she gave it a good go, though but eventually threw the towel in (ha ha ha ha ha ha) and let her boyfriend, shane and james battle it out. shane emerged victorious, seeing off james easily being able to get the box of the ground when thhere was merely a flat panel resting there. this may sound easy enough but i challenge you all to try, you know who i mean, Paul. and i want photographic evidence.

the next sporting challenge just looked painful. as you can see, the participants are balanced on 3 bar stools and then they have to pass the middle one around there body as many times as they can. phil triumphed at this (guy in blue t-shirt) despite having bowed out of the box competition at fairly early stage (although he stated that he had achieved a personal best at the box game). after this the party broke up so that people could apply neck braces and take painkillers. i just chronicle the events...or does my act of observing these aussie rituals alter them irrevocably, who knows....schrodingers kangaroo has a lot to answer for.

hanging around ilukan style

not much to say about this one! Just a few snaps of what we did in iluka when we werem't at the Mason Rack show. i think the kids must have a real tough time of it here...

On the Rack

with the election looming over us, we were invited by Alan and Debbie to go see Mason Rack's Blues Band in the frequently afore-mentioned Iluka. there was much talking of camping in the backyard at Alan and Debbies, but in the end we were able to shoehhorn the kids into one bedroom and james, me, zara and mik all got cosy together on camping mattresses in another. there was much nervous joking about that arrangment, mostly concerned around with snoring and nocturnal flatulence.


anyway, we got to the Iluka Golf Club for the band and it was a great night. Mason Rack was excellent and in true fashion the world over, all the adults hovered nervously round the edges whilst sober and kids just got up and danced no matter what




james came through in dad style to dance with caitlin






caitlin struts her stuff


the night was rounded off by news of john howard's fall from power, to be replaced by his grinning twin, kevin rudd. the whole thing was vaguely reminiscent of blair getting in to power, down to the sense of joy at howard (in portillo fashion) losing his constituency seat. at least the kyoto treaty has been signed and rudd has pledged to rid us of workplace agreements but there is a great sense of plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose....

Mosquito Coast

well, the excitement and fun to be had just putting up the mossie nets!

this is one of those optical illusion pics...can you see the little girl? close up - no
far way - yes!

and these are jusy plain weird pics, with the sunlight falling across the room and into the nets....

Through The Round Window

Caitlin was introduced to the world of theatre up in the throbbing metropolis of Grafton...Play School tour was hitting town, a morning of rock and roll debauchery lay ahead!







Caitlin was soon into the swing of the party...this pic was taken just before she bit off the head of a bat...






i had heard mutterings of strange on-stage satanic practices and sure enough, here we see the 'cast' bringing on effigies to be worshipped by the throng of 2-6year olds....










it's only rock and roll but i like it!