Christmas

What is Christmas without a walk and a swim? The beach had more people swimming today than in the last month put together, such commitment and valour.

The Fays joined us for the walk and then Gemma and Jessica swam with Susan and me. Jessica sporting her new camera and trying hard not to flash, Peter had the camera at the ready. What is Christmas without the odd surprise?

Susan has two new costumes and today the first saw the light of day. A blue and green affair with straps and curves, most fetching and I must say, the brightest costume on display.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and if you anything like me, had too much to eat. Tanzania sent greetings and said they had a good Christmas. I asked Russell ‘Is December a good time to go to Tanzania?

Russell sent me a glowing review.

‘The weather in Tanzania in December is lovely, with warm and sunny days. The average Tanzania temperature in December is 28 deg C.

If you are looking for a winter holiday destination, then there is really no better place to visit than Tanzania.’

I would say he is happy there.

Enough about the weather, sounds too British.

Christmas Day; This can be an emotive topic and can bring out the best and worst in us, especially if you have the misfortune of an irritating, boring or downright obnoxious family you only see at Christmas. This can try the patience of the best of us. The old saying, you can pick your friends but not your family.

I can gladly say we will not be burdened with anything like that this year. Wait, you caution, what about Noddy and his friends? I say it is Christmas and the time of goodwill, banish those evil thoughts.

Robert, Michael and their respective partners are off with their respective families and will be joining us on Boxing Day. Susan and I will be having Christmas dinner with the Middle Smiths, a posh affair and likely to be outstanding. Obviously, there is the dog, but in all fairness, she is like having an over-excited child around, Gary knows how to deal with that. I am sure her nose will be taking in all the food smells and a big part of the day will be hoping for a mere morsel or two, no begging, Susan does not do begging.

Normally we get up and have our morning coffee, I do, Susan has a slice of lemon in hot water. In the days gone by the children would open their Christmas stocking presents, yes those that Santa brought and then we go down to the beach for our walk and the family portrait, another tradition. This year as I have alluded to above, we walked and had our traditional swim.

As I was given Susan as my secret Santa, I bought her some very thoughtful presents. A gift card for a Seawater Sauna and two bottles of fine-smelling things from Noble Isle, a posh brand with posh prices but that is what she likes and who am I to criticise good taste.

Mullets: Australia's love affair with the iconic hairstyle

What do you think of the mullet? Personally, I do not find them attractive, someone trying to copy the old pot-style haircuts would better describe this cut of hair, but many in Australia claim it as a cultural icon. Maybe it will last.

Talking about things Australian, you all know Michael is getting married in the spring. I have just come across the following and thought I would post it, maybe it will help.

The Order of Speeches at a Wedding in the western world. (excl. Australia)

The traditional wedding speech order goes father of the bride, groom, best man.

In Australia, the Sheilas do it differently. Father of the bride, maid of honour (which one, there are about 5), a friend of the bride, another friend of the bride, yet another bridesmaid and then the best man? Not sure if the groom gets a word in but then that is something he will have to get used to. The world does move in extraordinary ways and so do the normal traditions get changed. Not sure what the bored guests will think but then I am not the one getting married.

You might wonder if Sheila is an Australian name.

It was initially used in Australia to refer to a woman of Irish origin, but from the late 19th century onwards it became a general term for a woman or girl. It probably derives from the generic use of the (originally Irish) proper name Sheila.