Christmas and New Year

Christmas and New Year number four in Australia - doesn't time fly?

Was down in Melbourne again for Christmas and took Lia with me to meet the extended family. It was good as always and surprisingly the weather was great whereas it was pissing down with rain in Sydney. Took Lia to her first cricket match, the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, which is a splendid way to introduce cricket to anyone. Pakistan didn't quite manage to live up to the billing though and they ended up getting hammered in the series.

Spent 4 days in Melbourne/Jan Juc and got around a load of great pubs and restaurants in Chapel Street, St Kilda, South Melbourne and Fitzroy. Lamb on Chapel sticks out in the memory for the best kebabs ever - the lamb is spit-roasted over a charcoal fire and is simply amazing. Not to mention the Galleon of course, which I've definitely mentioned before on a number of occasions. Still the best breakfast ever.

When we got back to Sydney we went straight up to the Hunter Valley for a 2 day trip around wine country. Didn't get any cases of wine but at least 2 bottles from every winery we went to. Still have some left actually.

Then back to Sydney for the fireworks at a place called Garden Island, which is a naval base that Lia's dad was able to get us onto. Great view but we left after the 9pm show and got a taxi back to Rozelle where we watched the midnight show from the end of our street. Quite a reserved night for me on New Years, which seemed to match the general mood in Sydney this year and not just my decrepit age. The Shore Thing gig didn't sell out this time, which is the one on Bondi Beach that I've been to every other year. First time that's happened.

I've more to tell but am out of time just now. Some photos here in the meantime.