We're all unpacked, all settled and looking forward to Christmas, which we are nearly ready for. Now we are in the house, we are all very happy. It's very homely, and functions better as a house - even if it doesn't have the stunning views etc. The pool is almost ready to be used (it had not been serviced properly recently, so it has needed some work to get it into a state that was hygienic), and the kids have been enjoying using the tennis court.
It's a little like living in Milford again - we can walk into the village, where there is an excellent array of shops and restaurants, or walk to the beach. In fact, there are elements of living on the Northern Beaches peninsula that remind me of the New Forest generally. They call it the Insular Peninsular, as people who live here rarely leave - much like the Forest. And they joke about not crossing the Spit Bridge - which takes you out of the Northern Beaches and towards the city. Is that not rather like not going over the cattle grids?! I suppose it is not a surprise that we would be attracted by such a place - after all, we were very happy in the Forest. We just wanted to shake things up a bit!
The children have broken up for their summer holidays as well, and this last week has been fun and relaxing. It's good not to have to function with such a set timetable, and we have had our first day on the beach. It's been raining on and off the last few days, with a lot of thunder and lightning, but hopefully that will clear soon, and the sun will come out a little more reliably. There have been lots of friends over, and we've had an afternoon at the indoor climbing centre, which we all really enjoyed - the children climbing, and me belaying. I forgot to take the camera - sorry!
Andrew and I have attended our first Arup Xmas do as well, which was a very nice affair. It took place at Darling Harbour, which is always a lovely place to be at night, and I met a lot of new people. It was odd being back in the position of not knowing anyone, and I can't tell you how many times that evening I was asked how I liked Sydney! However, everyone was very friendly, and we enjoyed ourselves. Andrew was very impressed that the beer, wine and champagne was free all night. I was driving....The meal was good, but served in a manner that I found unusual - in that it was either turkey or lamb (to cut out all the poncy french words that appeared on the menu) and equal numbers of each was brought to the table and served alternately. When I was served turkey, and told them that I would prefer lamb, I was told I would have to make a deal with someone else on the table! Apparently, this is common practice...odd. Even odder was the practice of serving a platter of desserts to the table, but no plates.....side plates had not been cleared and it was expected that we would use them. Also apparently normal.
Lucy (sister), Mike, Katy and Emily arrive on Friday, and we are very excited about it. They will be with us over Christmas and New Year, with a break in the middle when they go up North for some diving. Also on Christmas Day, we will be joined by Andrew's best friend Ally, his wife Lou and their children Zoe and Samantha, plus his parents in law Sheila and Pete. It is all shaping up to be a great Christmas!
We've had a bit of excitement here this evening. Next door a load of trees were on fire and the fire brigade had to be called. We spent a bit of time crawling around the Christmas tree, convinced that the burning smell must be coming from the lights or something, before we heard the sirens and went outside to take a look! Next door there is a group of 5 twenty somethings, who were out there with a hose trying their best. The only girl amongst them was taking photos, and when they realised after the firemen had dealt with it, that their were no pics of them with the hose looking heroic, they were gutted. So gutted in fact, that they then spent a while posing below the trees looking like they were putting it out, despite the fact that the trees were in fact drenched and far from being on fire. I think we are going to have fun living next door to them!
I've really tried to upload some pics on here, but it's not having it. I'll post now, and hopefully later it will all sort itself out!
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