A short sojourn at home.....

Back at home the next day we started to sort out all the things that needed attending to during our eight days here.  For the next week we sorted bills, banking and shopped for bits and pieces to make life on the road a little easier.  Bunnings seemed to be Bills favourite shop of the week.  Nothing for me in this lot!

As for the car it went in for a regular service and back the next day to have some super dooper towing mirrors fitted.  Boy are they big!  And it had to have new rear tyres as well the following Saturday.

We also had to organise our Christmas presents to take with us on our journey to Perth so there was some shopping and finally some wrapping done as well.  

Finally we were ready to pack and we took everything down to the van and spent a couple of hours stowing it away ready for a quick getaway on Monday morning.  All we needed now was the food.

The next three days were spent catching up with friends and family.  On Friday we drove to Chum Creek and had a pre Christmas lunch with Astrid and Hans.  A roast turkey dinner at the RAC Club was very Christmassy and very yummy too.

On Saturday we met Joy in the city and we all enjoyed lunch at Lorca's in Central Place.  It was lovely to see her again after so long and we had lots of fun exchanging photos and stories of our grandchildren.  A bit scary isn't it, once it would have been what we did last weekend!

Sunday was Ethan's 10th birthday and the family met at Faye's place for a barbie and we all enjoyed a fun day of food and celebration.  

On Sunday night after dinner we wandered into town to have a look at the Myer Christmas windows.  Since we would be leaving the next day this was our last chance to have a look at them.  We expected that Sunday night after 9.00pm should be quite but were very surprised to see a long queue waiting.  

We lined up and finally got to see Santa Claus and The Three Bears.  As usual it was very well done and I'm glad we made the effort to go.  I'm sure that queue will get longer and longer as it gets closer to the big day.

Walking home past the Town Hall we found a huge crowd and realised the light show must be about to start.  We waited and watched an amazing 10 mins of Christmas around the world.  Once again Melbourne has excelled.  

After the light show we walked across the road to the city (Christmas) square and found the big Christmas Tree and the cute colourful candy canes.

And of course not forgetting the true meaning of Christmas we found this Nativity Scene at the other end.  

It was then we decided it was time to head for home and bed.  Tomorrow it was up early and time to begin our big adventure. We are off to Perth to spend Christmas with the kids and grandkids.  

So until next time from somewhere across Australia...........