Day 60 - IT’S CHRIIIIIIISTMAS!

​I have never been away from home for Christmas before, let alone the other side of the world, so today was always going to be a big day in my travels.

It is the coldest Christmas here since 2004, so at least I have not had to deal with the weirdness of a hot Christmas Day! I was also grateful for the cooler weather for Parkrun this morning. Neil, Sarah and I did the Lewis Park Reserve Parkrun - it was Sarah’s first parkrun and my first ever Christmas parkrun. I loved how many people had dressed up, although did not know how to feel about be overtaken by a dinosaur. I was not speedy at all today, but enjoyed my run/walk around listening to festive tunes.


After parkrun we stopped off for tea and coffee at a nearby shop and picked Curtis up from his flat. Chloe and Kuma were waiting for us back home, eagerly awaiting present opening time. Santa had been very generous to Kuma, but I think her highlight was Russell the Brussel from Rachel.


I was also very spoilt as Santa managed to find me in Australia and definitely had got the memo that I love koalas. A particular highlight was a koala bracelet that also allows me to track a koala! I am very grateful to Neil and Sarah for their generosity. 

After a bit of lunch and a shower, Sarah and I settled down to watch A Muppet Christmas Carol, as Sarah had (shockingly) never seen it before! It was then up into the hills to Chloe and Brandon’s house for an Aussie BBQ.


All of Brandon’s family were there and we had a lovely time. It was a bit chilly, but Chloe and Brandon had produced an absolute feast, and we all shared a lot of laughs and good times. I still don’t fully understand why sausages are called ‘snags’ here, but still….


As evening came in Brandon made a fire to keep us all warm. It was then time to head back down the hill and I was able to have a lovely WhatsApp call with Dad, Lesley, Matt, and Meg.


It is now sleepy time ahead of the test match tomorrow. C’mon England!

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