Day 54

Saturday 25^th December 2010: CHRISTMAS DAY

Merry Christmas!!!

We woke at 10am and grabbed breakfast in the hotel before skyping my folks – still Xmas Eve for them though!

We had a lovely, lazy morning in the hotel and then packed everything up for Xmas Day with our adopted Aussie family (who we still hadn’t met). We were headed to Collaroy in Northern Sydney so decided we’d stop off at Manly en route. Fortunately Sydney’s excellent public transport system is fully operational on Xmas day so it was our usual routine of the train down to Circular Quay, followed by the ferry across the harbour.

On arrival at Manly it was time for Xmas dinner….. at a joint called Burger Me overlooking the beach! We had massive lamb burgers washed down with ice cold Becks – now that’s my kind of Xmas dinner.

Time had run away with us so we didn’t really have time to lie on the beach and jumped in a taxi to Collaroy. Franky underwent a quick change in the taxi…

We were given the warmest welcome as Santa and Rudolph – people even seemed to be genuinely delighted with their socks!!!

Sheridan and her brother Hamish were there with her folks, Diana and Rob. Rob’s brother Bruce, his wife Susan and 3 of their 4 kids – Luke, Ali and James. Their eldest daughter Claudia is away in Morrocco and they’d had a tearful phone call from her earlier in the day – perhaps this is why they were so accommodating when it came down to taking in the two honeymooning Brit’s who were thousands of miles from home. They couldn’t have been more hospitable – within seconds Franky had an ice cold beer and I had a glass of Champagne – and we were never without a drink until the moment we left.

This was the home of Hamish and Luke and the setting was perfect…. The house opened up onto an ample deck which is where the family had just finished their Xmas dinner. And the deck looked out over the ocean dotted with surfers.

We had arrived in time for dessert – homemade Chrismas pudding from Susan’s family recipe handed down from her Great Grandmother. It was served with cream and custard and was delicious.

Throughout the course of the afternoon and evening various friends and family dropped by – everyone seemed to arrive with a drink in hand. I dread to think how much booze was put away.

‘Santa’ went down a storm with 3 year old Penelope.

I’m not sure that a drinking, smoking Santa is the best role model but she didn’t seem to mind!

She was most confused when Franky changed into his regular clothes. ‘Santa’ had accidentally left his hat on the table and she excitedly took it away when she left to keep safe for him for next year! I think she’ll be bitterly disappointed when ‘Pommie Santa’ doesn’t make a habit of dropping in.

Speaking of ‘Pommie Santa’ – Franky was delighted to eventually get some cricket banter with the Aussie males.

As the night progressed and the alcohol flowed a guitar was dug out and Franky had to sing for his supper – not a bad deal as the Barbie was started and we had a sausage sizzle.

Time marched on with boozy chat and good tunes and we realised we needed to be getting off to catch the last ferry back to the city. Our hosts wouldn’t hear of that and it seemed we were welcome back at Rob and Diana’s with Sheridan!

Sheridan went to order taxis….. and passed out!

We found her about an hour later fast asleep on her brother’s bed!!! The taxi was eventually ordered and we headed off to her parent’s apartment where we were very grateful to be given a bed for the night.