Christmas Down Under

Do you see me there on Coogee beach in Sydney?  HA!  There was not a spare square of sand to set up a picnic!!    We were getting in our steps and just strolled on through this beach scene on Christmas Day!  It is summer in full swing down under on Christmas--Lots of Santa hats and sun burns☀







Oh,  here I am -- loving this crocheted tree wrap.  We spent the week leading up to Christmas in Melbourne and then Christmas week in Sydney.  Both cities were decorated to the max with beautiful Christmas decor.

We attended a Christmas concert in Como park in Melbourne that had the audience sitting on blankets on the grass waving tiny candles as they enjoyed the show.  

The rousing finale number was followed by a spectacular display of fireworks overhead.

Then, in Sydney, we saw some festive sights on Christmas eve. There was a group of roving Christmas carolers trying to harmonize with mixed success ( maybe due to having too much of that SPECIAL eggnog!).  We wished them a Merry Christmas.  

During a cruise around Sydney harbor, we spotted Santa in a small boat, his white beard blowing in the gusty breeze.  And that evening, there was a band of about 30 Santas roaring through the streets of Sydney on motorcycles, trying to spread Christmas cheer (we think!). 

We saw the facade of St. Mary's Cathedral transformed into a magical, 
wondrous canvas after dark when a light show was projected onto the building.

St. Mary's Cathedral during the day

St. Mary's Cathedral light show

St. Mary's Cathedral:  Mother & Child

The church also had a a life size Nativity display.

On Christmas Eve we had a lot of fun baking my Dad's oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies.   Of course we had even more fun eating them!  Don't worry, we did save some for Santa too!  We set out our stockings in hopes that Santa would fill them! 

Then on Christmas morning Ann played some wonderful Christmas carols on her piano before we checked to see what Santa had left in our  stockings.

Santa has gifted Tony and me a Stand Up Paddle board session.  Seems we will be hitting the water later this week!  

We hope that you also had an amazing holiday surrounded by family and friends.  Mele Kalikimaka from Down Under!