Mistletoe and...Sun!! It's Christmas!

A belated Merry Christmas from Down Under!!

We hope everyone had a blast back home!! Ours was very different from our normal traditional ones that's for sure... no scarfs and gloves given as Christmas presents, no carols round the fire, and no stuffing and cranberry sauce! Instead we had bright blue sky, scorching sun, swim in the ocean, swingball in the yard, backhanded pandas(cocktails before anyone wonders what we're going on about! :)) in the paddling pool, entertainment in the form of possums and poi, and plenty of cold meats, salad and drink! Sound good? We thought so! :)

Leading up to christmas saw us working hard at Rush and Nick umpiring....yes it was hard work! Standing in the same place for 8 hours in the scorching heat everyday (stop moaning nick * eye rolling *) for 5 days was tough, especially for my back and feet! Think I ached more from umpiring than I do playing cricket!! Ok, I'll stop "moaning" now in the words of Haz! :P The weekend after umpiring saw Nick play her first 20/20 cricket game for Norths! Managing to bowl...just.... Just kidding, I actually bowled really well and got Norths back into the game! Clean bowled their main batsmen, sending him back to the changing rooms with his head down and dragging his bat behind him! Good send off I'd say!! (Nick likes to exaggerate a tad aye?) hey, that was no exaggeration thank you very much!! Anyways, we ended up winning the game very comfortably!

We very much welcomed our first pay slip, but took us a while to understand all the jibba jabba! Had our first experience of an Aussie Steakhouse which was lovely! Nick has eaten more steak in Oz than she ever has done back in the UK.. she has been converted! haha Next is to get Nick ordering medium-rare rather than cremated! Hey... I had it medium and it was still pink, so that's hardly cremated! I would rather my steak be dead than mooing on the plate thanks!

We went driving around Mackay seeing all the amazing Christmas lights. Much more impressive displays than back home! Check Facebook for photos guys!

Christmas Eve Eve saw us going for a girls night out to the Bowlsey! The crew included...Haz, Nick, Karen, Sarah and of course the biggest girl of us all...Bradderz!! It was a great night filled with many giggles, singing, playing pool, playing up in front of the camera and dancing! More than likely a few sore heads and tired eyes in the morning! (hey speak for yourself Nick! ;)) (mainly speaking about Karen and Bradderz ;) hehe).

Following all the Christmas fun, we migrated to another part of Mackay to experience life with another Aussie family! :) we've been trusted with one of their cars, and wow, the freedom is gggrreat!! It felt so good to get behind the wheel again and neither of us got lost, which was an added bonus! Driving in a storm on the other hand (on the way to the Flicks) was certainly interesting and an experience! Mission Impossible 4 was really good...recommend you go watch it! Get out your movie cards, hop in the car and drive to the Movies! :D

After welcoming 2012 in Australia, we will be taking a trip to Reef HQ, get some diving in around Cairns, seeing Airlie and meeting lots more backpackers, before hoping onto the ferry to travel to the glorious island known as Hamilton Island! We are very excited! :D




Speak soon!

Nick & Haz xx