Saturday 2 January 2010

New year Celebrations

Brunch Evening Meal

Boat Launch Vici Notice the Net and the Flying Bear

Hi All
Yes the first Blog of 2010 and it starts with of course the New Year Celebrations. New years eve was full of comings and goings as the bay started to fill up with every type of craft $1 million boats to the simplest house boat all were packing themselves into the bay for a night of celebration. As Mary was hosting the family celebrations we were all put to task in preparing food and getting the place ready with balloons (thanks to Vici the hammock came in very useful look at the picture also notice the Flying Teddy guarding the balloons old friends are still with us) Streamers Party Games, and of course Champagne on ice, We started the evening at 6.00pm with a light tea of Fish Pie, this was just to get the kids in the mood for partying, then at 9.pm it was off to see the children's fire work display, This early firework display is a great Idea as the little kids who are not going to make midnight can experience the New Year atmosphere. Then it was back to the apartment for a curry which I had prepared earlier. As midnight arrived the whole bay was a lit by fireworks, distress flairs, and search lights, the air was alive with sirens, ships horns and the screams of excitement, being on the 15th floor we had a commanding view of the whole of the bay all the way down to Surfers Paradise which of course enabled us all to see a very wide variety of firework displays. it was a very special night.
New years day arrived with a better than normal hangover which was helped along with having children playing card games and leaping frogs, children certainly help the recovery process????
Food was organised for 11.00am which was a brunch an Aussie BBQ Brunch Steak, Sausage, Bacon, Tomato, Mushroom, Scrambled Egg, Fried Egg, Smoked Salmon, Fresh Fruit and the ever flowing Champagne. Mark and Nadene joined the family for Brunch which made it a real Family occasion, After brunch it was all down to the beach for an afternoon of Launching the new rubber dinghy and frolicking in the sun, Then us oldies ended up back at the apartment for a well earned rest (Without any more food)
So that was New Year Aussie style not very different from our own its just hotter. and more food unless Noreen is Cooking when everyone gets a carry out.
We are now back at playing the tourist today we went up Tambourine Mountain with lunch at the brewery and Cheese factory a very nice adult day with Aussie meat Pies, Dark Beer and runny cheese. for lunch Fillet Steak for dinner.
ON RETURN TO UK WE ARE ON A DIET??

Hope all your celebrations went as well as ours

Big Al

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So good to see the photo's guy's it makes me warm inside to see my loved ones over the pond. So glad New Years was 'a gud un', and I new you needed that Hammock !! Your in the best place the wheather here is worse than I can remember, the snow seems to be coming daily since early December, we seem to clear Rydal Mount and then guess what, it starts again !! and my word its cold.. We too have had a wonderful festive period it has been great everybody well and lots of gatherings with The Halliwells. We are planning the 1st dinner party of 2010 where I want lots of stories and photos from your time in Oz. Keep Safe x

Anonymous said...

Hello!!!! thank for the pics and all the news. I have to read the blog at home now as it has been banned at work!!! its a good thing really as i read your blog i always get emotional which is kinda hard to explain to students and staff!! So we have brought in the new year with a very quiet celebration at home which was just what we wanted. we are now back into the swing of things and looking forward to the next break! Yes the weather here is very cold and snowy, but i am quite enjoying it, it looks so pretty. I was almost snowed in on the students first day back, but i braved the weather (remember to pack my extra blanket and survival bag) and made it into work. Gregg on the other hand managed to get snowed in and had a day of work. I have been working today (Sat) I took i group of students to a signed play. All of the actors were from the deaf community - it was so strange but AMAZING!!! My students loved it and were dancing and signing in the isles (not encouraged by me) Glad to see that you are having a fab time. Hope to speak to you tomorrow same time on Skype lover ya xxxxxxxx