Christmas with the Booys!

Christmas Eve

Unfortunately, Darren and I had to work on Christmas Eve.  Darren left at lunch time, however, I had to work til about 3.30pm - almost the last to leave!  After a rubbish day, it was a lovely surprise to arrive home to some beautiful white lillies from Darren.

 

In the evening we headed to the city.  First stop - The Atrium at Crown - for Australia's largest and most spectacular display of Christmas decorations.   We timed it just right and as the huge clock chimed 7pm, the Atrium was magically transformed into a giant, automated Christmas display, all brought to life by a dazzling light show.  With it's six-storey high Christmas tree, animatronic 'Big Top', enchanting carousel and cheeky characters, it was enchanting for both the young and the young at heart.

After the show, the Crown Christmas Choir treated us to some carols!

After Crown we headed to the 'World' restaurant on the South Bank for dinner by the river.

And then headed to Federation Square for Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight to be part of Melbourne's first ever human Christmas tree!

Christmas Day

First things first - presents!  Thank you everyone for our treats from home!

Our Christmas present to Jackie and John is a trip on the Great Ocean Road in January, but obviously they had to have presents to open, and they needed to be light enough to take back home.  Cue a stocking full of Australian tat - complete with cork hat, boomerang, poncho and fridge magnet (among other things!).

After presents and a big breakfast, we headed to Brighton Beach for a bottle of bubbly!

And of course the obligatory Christmas Day swim - well John and I were the only ones brave enough - it wasn't the warmest day!

And then back for a Christmas barbie - turkey sausages and cranberry salad - accompanied by Aussie Christmas carols and crackers!!!

Boxing Day

The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is one of Australia's most popular sporting events, and every four years, the Boxing Day Test forms part of the 5-match Ashes contest with England.  This was one of those fourth years, so with much excitement we headed to the MCG Boxing Day morning.  I do tend to switch allegiance if I'm going to see Australia play, but Boxing Day I was proud to be a pom!

England made a mockery of Australia's apparent Ashes momentum, outplaying the hosts with both bat and ball on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.  The tourists put themselves in prime position to claim victory and retain the urn, sending the Australians in and skittling them for 98 in two sessions before cruising to 0 for 157 at stumps and a lead of 59 runs.

Before the start of play, Australia - coming off a convincing 267-run win in Perth - had ambitions of building an edge in the 1-1 series before a world record crowd in Melbourne.  Instead it set a new mark by slumping to its lowest ever Ashes total at the MCG as its batsmen failed to show any semblance of discipline against a diligent England attack.

The massive crowd of 84,345 was also only the fifth-highest in MCG history and witnessed Australia's second-lowest total at the ground since being bowled out for 83 against India in 1981.
 

It was a brilliant day with an incredible atmosphere, and of course the result made it all the better!  The weather was typically Melbourne, quite chilly in the shade, and hot in the sun!

Jacket on...

.....jacket off!

Cheers!