So here we are, getting ready for our second Christmas in Australia. Can you believe that? In some ways it doesn't feel more than five minutes since we came out here, and in others it's as if we have been here for ever. Certainly life has settled down to normality and generally we no longer feel like we are on holiday all the time.
Having said that though, the last couple of weeks have definitely had something of the vacation feeling to them. The weather has been wonderful, and we've spent a fair amount of time either chilling at the beach or relaxing round our rather luxurious pool. That heavy, warm and tired feeling at the end of a day spent in the sun is definitely something which we all still associate with being on holiday.
The strange bit, of course, is that all this is going is going on when we are also preparing for Christmas. Which feels very odd. Most English people out here struggle to feel very festive, despite enjoying the good weather. Christmas here does not seem to be such a big deal either, and I have theory about that. I think that Christmas is such a massive event in the UK because it is a beacon of hope and fun in the middle of months of dark and dreariness. Imagine the British winter without Christmas! Whereas here, it would be still be sunny and the biggest holiday season of the year.
I decided this year that the way forward was to try to make some australian christmas traditions, rather than trying to emulate the jolly season back at home. I started this by revamping my entire collection of tree decorations, moving away from the traditional red, green and gold, and setting a sort of carnival tone. As you can see from the photo, it works rather well with the sunshine. At the same time, we are having seafood and salads again for the main meal, along with bbq steaks and frankly more food than anyone could possibly eat in one meal. We will be joined by Andrew's parents, Grace and Bob, who are staying with us at the moment, plus friends Nicky and Graham with their 4 children - Joe, Jack, Luke and Chloe. Joe and Jack live in the UK and are over for a visit at the moment.
I think that the thing that I liked best about Christmas in the UK was the stillness, the solemnity and the way the season connected us to ancient times. I loved the dark and the lights and the carols. Here, all that is completely lost. Even at the Christmas service at the children's ( anglican ) school, all the carols were jazzed up. I know it's supposed to be a joyous occasion, but to be honest I find the old style carols a lot more uplifting than jigging along to a barely recognisable version of 'Away in a Manger'.
All that apart, the children are of course still very excited and in fact, Anna is already tucked up in bed waiting for the morning. George will be joining her very shortly, and then Andrew and I will wrap the very last presents and then retire ourselves. So all that remains is to wish you a very wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2009. And I am told that a printed version of this blog is sent up to a Manchester collective of the Chaneys and Penningtons and then circulated. As they are not able to comment, and so never get a special message, this one's for you - a shout out to the Manchester people from The Pettifers Down Under - Merry Christmas!
