Last post of 2008

Hi folks,

Christmas has gone and New Year is approaching fast..... We cooked a goose again this year but unlike the fat juicy British kind which are reared for consumption the Australian version was reared for the Olympics.
Mom (Neubauer) is living it up in Singapore while the kids make more noise than my 100W(rms) stereo. Australia have fleeced me again by charging me regional "tax" for my motorcycle after I just paid national "tax" on arrival, and I thought we were taxed in old Blighty. (Death and Taxes an all that!)

It was also my birthday and if it were not for my birthday cake (see below) I would never have known I'm on the wrong side of 30.
It's time to chill for a few days before work starts in earnest and 2009 gives us our surprises.


Christmas tradition intact

Sorrento, the week before Christmas

It's that time again............ bloody Christmas, so good cheer and a ba-humbug to you all.

The one good thing is that everyone was so busy shopping, all the beaches, parking and restaurants were empty (PS nobody told the &%^%$ flies thou). The weather has finally cleared and it's been I nice crisp 30 with little more than a puff of cloud in the sky. (he says as he types in his air-conditioned lounge).

Looking forward to a few days off from the 24th to prepare for 2009 where they tell me we are going to have weeks of 40+.


Enjoying the sunshine

Martin turns one

How time flies..... it feels like yesterday that I held Martin for the first time at St Helier's hospital. The then 8 pound cutie is now a 25 pound mountain climbing, everything pulling trouble maker.

My mom fractured her arm so she was able to test the government hospital system for us and found it rather good, she even has a CD with all her x-rays on it. She is on the mend and is now only given light duties around the house. :-)

We are slowly starting to settle in and Christmas is closing fast.



Martin turns one in Melbourne

Australien -> ein monat auf

We have now been in Australia for a month and boy has it been cold. Saying that, it does warm up later in the day. We have had a few hot days in the 30’s (degrees C) where we went down to the beach to be set upon by flies, big fat squishy flies. A local came up to us sensing our displeasure, and handed over the fly-off spray, result. It was then off to T'Gallant for some wine tasting in the Mornington peninsula.

We have our rented house and our stuff should be arriving next week. (note: garden furniture makes a great lounge suite)
Seeing we have not really done much in the way of the "Australian lifestyle thing" I am hesitant to comment for fear of coming over negative so it’s best just to mention the good parts.

My job has me all over the show and Georgie is learning to love being a full time mum, NOT, so we are looking into childcare so she can go back to work in some capacity.

Me mum landed a couple of days ago and has been recruited as head kids-caretaker. (She is ageing before my eyes)

Chat before Christmas....


Our rented house and the kids playing

Karli turns 3........where does the time go?

Just another short post before real-life kicks in. It was Karli's Birthday yesterday and we had a double celebration. The 1st was at some new friends who we met "on a plane" and the 2nd at our serviced apartment in Sandringham (although we are still waiting for the servicing).

Fresh produce is fantastic and things actually last when you buy then and don't rot in a day.

Tomorrow we register for Medicare and get insurance for our new car we just bought.... lets hope it not a lemon and it lasts for a few years while we scrape together enough cash for a small hovel. (PS Dad, now is a good time to send $)


Birthday in reverse