Christmas 2024 in Australia

 We had Christmas in Hobart with Jase, Michelle's brother. First, there was hard core gardening:

And second: digging out, clearing out, mulching, digging in. Much horticultural yak.

Then some sightseeing and driving around Hobart. Pre Christmas markets and lots of yummy food sampling and a teensy bit of shopping.

Walking around on the waterfront. So many sandstone buildings remain from Australia's early white settlement.

And of course the famous convict built Richmond Bridge just out of Hobart.

We passed the bridge on the way back from Orford and lunch with Cheryl, me old mate from Scotland and our boarding school kitchen hand days (1979), yikes.

Maria Island from Orford.

Dave and I setting fire to the Tasmanian Country Women's Association Christmas pud - and it was delicious!

The Sydney to Hobart yacht racers came in after Boxing Day and stacked up in the harbour. Wild Thing ended up third in the results.

We took a cool harbour cruise. Captain got in very close to inlets along the coast. then a speedy trip to Betsy Island and back via the convict built Iron Pot Lighthouse.

Then up to Sydney and the Southern Highlands to see and stay with a bunch of lovely people. 

Janey and Peter took us to Lavendra, overlooking Milsons Point and Luna Park as night fell - great venue.

We bed hopped between friends for nearly two weeks. Thanks everyone! Had a great time catching up and having city moments and walks and sea pool swims and laughs and many delicious meals - and just catching up. Always good. 

Finally, a Robertson moment in the gum trees on the way to the airport.