A rollercoaster year.

We always knew it would be as Ronan says, we just had to ride it.

The move to the other side of the world and setting up home in itself would ensure 2012 would be far from dull.

However, it had far more in store than that.

There were a 1000 never-ending good byes.

A home to find.

A dog to get through quarantine.

A Mother who became gravely ill and sadly we lost.

A cousin we tragically lost too, much too young.

A family upset, most unnecessary.

A Father with a very special birthday.

A tropical storm while lost at sea.

A tricky situation in a crocodile infested river.

A beach to visit every day with the "boy".

A mountain we never climbed.

A gastronomic seafood fest was savoured.

2 weddings, 2 funerals and a new life born.

In fact a whole new world to discover and a life to build.

We were particularly proactive with the latter.

There was adjusting to life living together as husband and wife, "properly" once more.

Lovely.

New friends to make.

Also lovely.... but also so many we missed.

There were many firsts and some life long dreams ticked off our wish list... like swimming with whale sharks, orangutans in the wild and the green turtle laying her clutch.

There were many new places discovered too.

What will 2013 hold, we wonder?

One thing is for sure, family and friends will become reunited.

Will it be less eventful?

No of course not, this is the T-J's we're talking about here.

Here are a few times to look back on, in no particular order, just as memories should be!

Much love to all who have followed my blog down under, I hope you forgive my self indulgence and stay with me in 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Adoptive Mummy to 76 healthy babies!

We've been waiting for this email. We knew they were due any day and yes we have been expecting them! Here they are. 76 baby green turtles.

 

Taken just after we had safely buried the eggs in October

Dear Debbie and Gareth,

Greetings from Lankayan!
 

Time flies! Two months have passed since your visit to Lankayan and there’s only a few days left in 2012! How’s life treating you?

 

Remember the nest you’ve adopted at Lankayan in October? We hope this is included in one of the great things happened to you in 2012 And now there’s another great news--the babies hatched!

 

The nest (no.676, Green turtle) was incubated since 16 October 2012 with 81 eggs inside. On 21 December 2012, 76 baby turtles successfully emerged from the nest in the early morning. They were all safely released to the sea. Attached photo of the babies for you, we hope you'll like them ;-)

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need more information. Also, we are happy to hear from you for any comment or suggestions to help us improve our works here.

 

 

Lastly, a big THANK YOU from Reef Guardian team to you! Happy holidays and we wish you have another great year in 2013 =D

 

Best regards,

Gan Sze Hoon (Gan)

Research Assistant

Reef Guardian/Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA)

Sabah, Malaysia.

 

 

 

 

We are more than honoured and privileged to have been a part of this amazing programme. The Reef Guardians of Lanakayan do amazing things.
 

I admit I had tears seeing the pictures of our little babes scurrying urgently towards the water. They have a perilous journey ahead, we wish them God speed and if only one reaches adulthood to procreate again then that would have been an amazing result.
 

We are so happy we could help them get this far at least.
 

Indeed, one of the best things that happened to us in 2012.


(not sure what's happened to the layout here, but no matter, it's the content that counts today! :-))

Howzat for Boxing Day!

Now seriously you don't have to be a cricket fan to enjoy the Boxing Day test at the MCG.

It is a brilliant day out and I defy anyone not to be swept up by the fun, goodwill, humour and excitement.

The train into the city was packed. Grandfathers, fathers and sons, generations of families come together once more to enjoy a great tradition here in Melbourne. Plenty of mums and Grandmas too!

We were joined by our friend Simon.

Even the walk to the ground was exciting, throngs of people striding purposefully and the buzz of excitement crackled among us like electricity.

It was a very hot day.

The first beer was consumed at 10.45.

The boys packed away plenty more thereafter.

Australia were on form bowling Sri-Lanka all out for 150 runs.

The crowd was in party mood.

By 3pm I left the boys to it. So they could be boys and heckle and banter and of course drink more beer.

I had a little boy back home I needed to attend to.

I finally received a slurry message that the boys were on their way home at about 6.30pm.

Then I got another one to say they were in the pub!

I got myself round there and rescued Simon (who looked more Aussie than an Aussie!) from an extremely drunk punter.

 

 Finally we all got home.

The BBQ was lit and much silliness ensued.

Including lots of singing (badly) and lots of dancing (even worse).

"Take that camera out of my face!" says Hubster.

"Really? You saying I look silly?"

Hubster belting out "Watching the Detectives" by Elvis Costello

All in all it was a FANTASTIC day and Hubster albeit a rather wobbly chef, rustled up some great tucker for us all.

So Howzat for a great boxing day to remember.

Christmas Day Down Under

Merry Christmas one and all! Mercifully it was a 22-er and not a 39-er.

First of all a few things to note.

The bin men came and emptied our bins like any normal Tuesday. Admittedly they drove around the streets like lunatics! I suppose in the heat they can't leave rubbish lingering.

All the pubs are closed.

All the trams, trains and buses are free, should you be stuck for anything better to do.

Soon after rising and right on cue we had a very welcome call from home.

We hit the dog beach and Radders had a blast with a whippet called Wilbur. I wore a silly Santa hat, I was the only one. Spot the Brit a mile off eh?

Back at home Hubster cracked a bottle of "Man o War" sparkling and we indulged in smoked salmon, creamy scrambly eggs and goats cheese infused with dill.

Totally delish.

Then it was pressie time and Radders got fully involved in the proceedings and enthusiastically unwrapped his gourmet doggie hamper.

So far he has eaten his "Santa Paws" biscuits.

I was more than thrilled with my new camera and had a good chuckle at the joke pressie of Paxo stuffing, Bisto gravy and Bread Sauce mix!

We got suited and booted and went to The Baths Restaurant for Christmas lunch. I  felt very Audrey Hepburn wearing a beautiful silk scarf, a pressie from a dear friend back home.

 

We were both more than delighted when we saw Turkey and all the trimmings on the menu. It is not a guaranteed option here and looking around, the beef and barramundi were the most popular choices.

King prawns with marie rose to start and a delightful Christmas pudding sponge with creme anglaise with brandy to finish.

It made our day - much more traditional than we ever imagined.

Oh and a surprise visit from FC himself.

Back home, we climbed into our "comfies", Hubster and I snuggled up on one sofa, whereas Radders had one to himself! We all snoozed, watched rubbish TV and finished off the sparkling from earlier. Some things don't change.

More calls, emails, texts and skypes were made and received from back home, it was all a bit of a mad flurry. Then it was soon time for us to draw a close on our first Christmas Day in Australia.

As we climbed into bed, we thought of everyone back home who would now be starting their Christmas Day, they had never been far from our thoughts.

Our own day had exceeded our expectations. However, it really isn't about the pressents under the Christmas tree but it is all about those seated around the table.....and there were a few missing!

As we bid goodnight, we both admitted we were relieved the day was done and acknowledged we had also done our very best. You may not understand that feeling but if you are an ex-pat away from home, you will get it completely.

Now Boxing Day we are hugely excited about!

MCG - bring it on - Howzat!

ps a huge thank you to the Hubster, he really is a top, top man. Thank you baby xxx

Christmas Eve

In years gone by Christmas Eve was a foregone conclusion.

Either making merry in our local pub or making merry with family in Hay on Wye.

This year we headed into the City.

We saught out a couple of roof top bars.

We headed to Federation Square for Carols by Candlelight.

We ate pizza.

We came home and opened our Christmas cards to each other.

I got my first one from Radders, that boy is growing up fast.

We sat around the tree with a final night cap, watched some TV and bid goodnight to our first Christmas Eve in Australia.

 

What will Christmas Day bring?

A new experience entirely, a first to remember and let's face it, 2012 will go down as a year of many of those.
 

Cinema Under the Stars

Today, 23rd December, was the hottest of the year so far, clocking 39 degrees and not a breath of wind.

We stumbled across a fabulous farmers market at St Kilda and admittedly made some sympathy purchases on the basis that these poor people were melting whilst selling their wares.

A kilo of organic black cherries $10 - bargain. They are $40 a kilo in the supermarket.

We then did the supermarket shop.

Smoked salmon, avocados, mangoes, cheeses, pate, smoked duck, pickles and chutneys and all sorts of delicious delectables and luxury things that you only allow yourself to indulge in at Christmas.

No chocolate however, how incredibly restrained of us.

That evening we got on our bikes and hit the beach front. At 7.30 it was still 30 degrees and the beach was buzzing with family gatherings and cool box (Esky) picnics, BBQ's and games of volley ball. Many were wearing santas hats or reindeer antlers.

We headed towards the open air cinema on the beach front at St Kilda. We had "Gold" tickets which entitled us to a great view, a huge comfy bean bag and some free Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

We took a flask of chilled wine, shared a mini fish & chips and listened to a guy with a great voice on an acoustic guitar entertain whilst the auditorium filled.

It was a beautiful evening, the sun slowly ebbed away and we sank back into our bean bags to watch a great film, The Intouchables.

We rode home at about 11pm, the front was still now, all the families had gone, there were just a few groups of young people and young lovers sat on the sand watching the gentle waves lap at the water's edge. One group had a bubble pipe - how very St Kilda.

Well this certainly isn't our usual run up to Christmas Day, it was however one that will live long in our memory. I think I could just be getting into the swing of this "Aussie" Christmas after all.