Long time no blog!

We got a boat! Yes we're really embracing the Aussie lifestyle and have now bought a second hand boat. It's a quintrex 4.65metre 55 hP (that's the technical stuff). So it's a little boat that we can go fishing etc in.

The first couple of times we took it out we saw dolphins, they swan around and under the boat and popped up at the side to say hello - well probably to see if we had any fish.

We've taken it around the islands at Shoalwater and seen seals and sealions, and heve been out fishing - the first time we came back with 20 whiting, which we BBQ'd aon the foreshore (and froze some). The second time it was a bit rougher than we thought it would be and I got seasick before we caught any and so we came back in. Going out on it again on Saturday when the forecast is better and we may catch out tea again!

We're gearing up for Xmas now, but are finding it strange having to do xmas shopping in the sun. The forecast for Xmas day is 38 deg - so We'll be having turkey butties on the beach - no big roast for us in that temperature. I've been charged with organising our works xmas do - so we're having a BBQ and a pool party - the invite said dress code: boardies(shorts) or jeans with thongs (flip flops) and bring your bathers (swimming cossies). How weird is that!

My place shuts down from 21 Dec to 2 Jan, so I get xmas off this year - what will I do with myself!!??? All that sun and 5 mins from the beach :-) Yes we are still really loving it - wish we did this 20 years ago.

The down sides - no real football (soccer), they play Aussie Rules (AFL) but soccer takes a back seat and the footie I've seen has been really poor - more like County reserves V Macc Town reserves than premiership. No mulled wine for xmas - well it would be too hot! The pubs aren't the same - but then again you eat late and outside and have wine with your tea and stay up talking, and you have your own bar. No best mates here -we're starting to get to know some people, and have had a couple of nights out - but not the same as your mates in UK.
Having said all that, I struggled to find the down sides! Most of it is up!

Stella the dog is doing well, she's 10 months old now - has 'graduated' from beginners class at dog training, and loves to swim in the sea. She has a good mate with Jess, Sue and Pete's dog - she's a puppy about 6 months now and loves Stella. We go round to their hose and take Stella and we don't see them all night because they're playing. She had her own dog club xmas party - and won a prize in 'musical spots'! - her own eskie (cool bag) that we can take her water in to ther beach or when we take her out for a walk!

Will try to update this more often. Will probably remember a whole lot more and post some in the next week or so - but if we don't it means we're enjoying life too much.

An example of enjoying life would be telling you about our night tonight - Came home from work about 5.00, took the dog to the beach, stopped off at a bar on the foreshore and had a wine, with John and the dog, came home and had a swim in the pool, got in the Spa, showered and cooked turkey steaks on the BBQ with baked spuds and our own home grown beans - oh and more wine. Yes we are loving it.