Bringing in 2008 in Pictures!

Oh dear! We've been really busy in the sun with Lucy and Mike and local friends, and have done loads of stuff but I haven't really had time to update the blog. And now I have no idea where to start....

I've decided that the solution to this is to take you through the last week or so in pictures, so here we go.

Just a warning - this is much more complicated than you would think, because in order to make the first chronological picture appear first on the site, I will have to add it last and go backwards. People who know me well will appreciate that intellectually this may prove to be something of a stretch. No criticism please if it all goes pear shaped....




The fun to be had in a swimming pool is pretty endless!



The tennis court is good for all sorts of fun - even skateboarding! George bought his skateboard with his money and the christmas money from Lorna and Tracey, so thank you very much!




We went out to dinner with Ally, Lou, Zoe and Samantha at Darling Harbour. We stuffed ourselves in a seafood restaurant and had a great time!




Trying to get a decent picture of both Andrew and Al is not easy. I think photoshop may be the only solution...



George, Anna and Samantha having a post dinner ice cream. Don't know where they put it all to be honest!



Blue tongued lizard sauntering by our pool





We spent the afternoon of New Year's Eve at Clareville Beach which is one of the Pittwater beaches. We had initially made for the ocean beaches, but it turned out that they were all closed because there had been a tropical cyclone up the coast which had resulted in pretty fatal surf. Good to look at from afar, but certain death if you got in it..

Hmmm - there should be pictures of us here bringing in 2008 watching the Pittwater fireworks from Sharon and Richard's deck, but I forgot the camera! However, we did have a lovely time, and although the Pittwater display wasn't quite as good as the one in central Sydney, it still elicited a pleasing number of ooohs and aaahs. We will try to make it into the city next year for the big display, but with Lucy and Mike's flight from Hayman Island not getting in till the evening, it wasn't possible this time.




On New Year's Day we got the ferry from Palm Beach to The Basin to spend the day nibbling at our picnic, playing in the water and enjoying the sun. The Basin is a wonderful, shallow lagoon in the national park which is perfect for children. No sharks, no waves, not much salt in the water and warmed by the sun. And therefore perfect for parents who can relax, read their book and occasionally nod off.




Having fun in the water



Who on earth is that attractive man?!



The girls posing by the lagoon. How lovely are they? And how lovely is The Basin?



George and Em hamming it up while we wait for the ferry back to Palm Beach




We went to Taronga Zoo. Can you see the legs of the joey sticking out in this picture? It doesn't look very comfy for the mum! The zoo was great, but it was bloody hot...



A female gorilla feeding her baby. Isn't that a beautiful thing?



A pile of sleepy lions. I think it was too hot for them as well!



We went to Bilgola Beach with Lucy, Mike, Katy, Emily, Sharon, Richard, Eben, Zoe and Joel. It was a beautiful day but the lifeguards weren't letting anyone in the water because the surf was still too dangerous. Luckily there is a rockpool there!



Eben, George, Katy and Anna buried Joel!



Zoe and Emily buried themselves!



The children dressed up smart for dinner at Darling Harbour



All the girls at Darling Harbour before dinner




We went out for a farewell dinner with Lucy and Mike and family at Darling Harbour. The city really is beautiful at night.




Anna, Katy and Em in their last photo together before they left for the airport this morning.