New Years Eve!

What better way to celebrate New Years Eve then kicking off with breakfast at Bondi Beach!!!!

The weather was beautiful, and we were blown away by the gorgeous beach.  We had a fabulous breakfast.... Hmmmmm

We met Tom - Alice's brother running along the beach barefoot .... Very healthy of him!! 

Then we hit the beach - amaze balls!!!!!!!

The waves were huge, and the rip was so strong- like nothing I've ever experienced.... Literally taking your legs from beneath you.  AD caught a huge wave and managed to get tumbled about... He came out of the water quite quickly after that!   The kids loved it, but we had to be so careful - going in with them and not letting them out of our sight..... 

my little surf dude!

We left shortly after lunchtime, as we had a plan to let the children have a sleep before heading out in the evening!

Back at the house, there was time then for a little pool time for the mummy's! before sprucing ourselves up for the evening.

Sydney was our destination of choice for the evening.  Alice had organised a great restaurant in Darling Harbour, Chinta Ria - with perfect views of the fireworks and a dedicated outdoor area for the guests meant that there was no jostling or fighting our way through the crowds - it was fantastic.  We met with Jo, Brian and their two children Sophie & Angus - ate a delicious meal with a drinky-poo or two and then went outside at 9pm to watch the fireworks which were amazing.

After the fireworks, we went back to the house for some champagne..... and some classic old Skool music (with a fair bit of singing & dancing thrown in for good measure!)

The children were great and went to bed around 11pm, leaving the grown ups to celebrate in style (well the early part of the evening anyway.... Things inevitably deteriorated towards the 2.30am timeframe!!)

Great fun and LOTS of laughing!

Happy New Year! Xxxxxxxxxxx

We have arrived!

We're at the end of our second day here in Sydney.... Thank you to Alice's wonderful Aunt & Uncle Toby & Marianne we have the most beautiful house and pool to stay in .... It's fabulous!

We arrived at 7.30 yesterday morning, and after a gentle day .....and some swimming! we enjoyed a fantastic meal and wine with AD & Alice & and an early night - some of us less hard core members of the family didn't quite make it to bed before falling asleep bless them!!

Sunday 29th ......

Today we ventured into Sydney - the girls in one car, boys in another .... The girlies may have got a little distracted on the way with a little coffee shop & a spot of sunglasses shopping!!  

Alice then took us to a superb secret spot,  which had the most amazing vista and not many tourists (which is always a bonus)

We eventually made it to the Opera house to meet the boys in the 'Opera Bar' (aptly named!) for a cheeky beer & cider .... and the let the  gratuitous sightseeing commence!!!!

Lunch at Caminetto Italian Restaurant .... In the Rocks area of Sydney hmmmmmm

Then back to the house & pool for a cool down and a Pimms - with a little festive cheer thrown in for good measure!!!   

After spending only a day and a half with his Godfather, William has already identified that AD & Mark both have the same hilarious sense of humour .... as when he was telling AD about his friend Herbie at school, AD asked .... Does he go bananas??  at which point William responded suitably unimpressed 'no .... That's what my daddy said too!' 

Hong Kong International Airport

... Half way there, a little jaded but a good opportunity to stretch our legs!!  Mark and William have decided on buying a Ferrari apparently!!!   

... as if they haven't watched enough TV already!!!

Our journey begins!!!

Bets are on ..... How many times are we going to hear "are we nearly there yet?" In the next 24 hours!! 

Bye bye cold Christmassy England ...

We're on out way to the airport!!!!!!! 

Aussie Xmas .... From James & Steph in Melbourne

...... Getting excited!!

Christmas all wrapped up!

Its official - all Xmas presents bought, wrapped and ready to roll!  Organisation is definitely the name of the game this Christmas!!!!  Heading to our parents on 22nd December then flying on Boxing Day doesn't leave much time to get organised!!!!!  

Very modest decorations around the house, just enough to sprinkle some festive cheer, but nice and quick to whip down on Boxing Day!!!!!!! 

I have discovered however that it is currently impossible to buy a swimming costume or flip flops in any shop in the Country, so looks like we'll be hitting the shops when we arrive in Sydney!!! Oh well!!!!!