Christmas

As it was the first Christmas with out our daughter, KISA and I had made the decision to run away. We wanted to get in the car and drive south. To where there was cooler weather, no big shopping malls with all the music and decorations, and no pressure to perform on the day.

So we went to Narooma. It is on the south coast of NSW and about 2500km from here. Far enough we reckoned. We have a friend there who would love us to visit. We send son 17 to his Dad and stepmum for a visit and headed off early on 19th December.

After 2 nights with TBS in Brisbane and catching up with the sons and soninlaw, we headed out early on the 21st towards the south. We made it to Taree and stayed the night in a motel by the river.

The town was having its carol by candlelight in the park next door, so we were able to sit on out balcony and listen to the carols with our wine.

Next day we drove to Narooma. We were going to stay in Wooloongong and catch up with my cousin, but accomodation was too expensive and we were close enough to Narooma. On the way we went over the Seacliff Bridge. It is basically a road over the ocean.

We made it Jdubya's in time for drinks on the deck at sunset on the 23rd December. A long day but it was good to be there. It was less than 20 degrees as well. We stayed here till the 3rd of January.

Our low key Christmas began with scrambled egg and smoked salmon and avocado with bubbles of course.

Jdubya loves Christmas. He got so excited when it was present opening time.

After breakfast we went for a long walk. As you can see it was

arduous terrain. And the weather was foul.

A Christmas feast for three. Roast lamb, prawn and avocado sald, ham off the bone, cauliflower au gratin and roast veges. Followed by plum pud and custard for those who wanted it, which would have been just me.

We stayed on in Narooma just relaxing, playing golf, reading, long daily walks etc. The weather was beautiful, and rarely got above 25 degrees. We spent lots of time looking at the magn ificent view from Jdubya's deck and chatting to the locals.

These two guys turned up every day looking for food.

The nights were cool and the company great. I could just see KISA unwinding, so it was sad when we inevitably had to leave. The blue tongue lizard in the compost bin was sad to see us go too. He was about two feet long, but very shy

On my birthday, we packed up and headed north again, via Canberra and the Newell Highway. We spent my birthday evening in Coonabarabran. The hotel we stayed at had a french restuarant run by a chinese chef. There were two restuarants in Coonabarbran. The other one was a chinese! It was the best french food I have had outside France! I had duck and KISA had steak. The food was delicious and the price was much cheaper than home. Quelle surprise!

Another couple of nights in Brisbane then home to start work for the 8th. We travelled 5600km all up!