This is the time of year when I would normally take down the Christmas decorations - but as I didn't put any up, I am saved that chore! I have always made a big thing about our christmas tree - but for Christmas 2009, we were in the apartment, so had nowhere to put it, so I gave it to daughter number 2, as we were having Christmas at her house. And there it stayed - I didn't feel the need to bring it down to the coast - firstly I don't have anywhere to put it up without moving a large piece of furniture, and secondly, it just doesn't seem to fit. All that northern hemisphere emphasis on mid-winter looks a bit silly against the deep blue backdrop of the Australian summer sky and the Pacific. My girls weren't too impressed at the lack of a tree - it was obviously part of their childhood memory of christmas, so they were a bit put out. Never mind, they'll get over it.
One concession I did make was to make stockings for the two grandbabies. The girls have had stockings since they were little, and over the years, I have made extras for special people who have spent Christmas with us. I can just about get away without having a tree, but would have a full scale riot on my hands if I dispensed with the stocking tradition. This was Leo's first Christmas, so in the few days I had after starting leave before they all arrived, I made this for him.
Lincoln's was the same style, but I had to make a thermofax screen to fit his name on - too many letters to applique in a reasonable size - couldn't the girls thing of these things before choosing names for their children??! Here is Leo enjoying his first visit to Nanny and Poppy's place for Christmas and visiting the beach. I guess for my grandkids, memories of Christmas will be of sea and sand, not evergreen trees decked in lights - and that's ok!
Here is a clever shot of Lincoln in a typically thoughtful pose. My eldest daughter took this using my new camera - I don't know how she managed to get this two shots combined - I must read the instruction manual and find out - apparently you can take videos too - not sure I am up to that yet.
We have been doing quite a bit of kayaking over the holidays. Trouble is the waterways are very crowded at this time of year with all the holiday makers - some of our favourite spots are completely ruined by the arrival of skiers and jet skis - I really can't see why people have to tear around churning up the water, creating pollution and noise and spoiling a beautiful spot for every other user. Completely inconsiderate. We even heard someone yesterday complaining that they had to slow down, because the damn kayakers were in their way! I had a birthday just before Christmas (as I usually do!) and Karl got me a new camera that can tolerate getting wet - I was a bit worried about using my normal camera with wet hands and water sloshing about while kayaking. But there are so many wonderful things to photograph. One of the delights of being on the water is that you get to see things from a completely different perspective, and you get to see things you normally would never see at all.
These lines are the ripples caused by a fishing boat going by. Interesting lines!
There is a sea eagle nest at Lake Corunna, about 10 minutes from home. This was the first day I had my new camera, so didn't get the zoom right - although you can click for a bigger version. Shortly after I took this, the other one (don't know if it was male of female) came to join its partner on the branch. Very majestic and beautiful birds.
This is an old jetty on Wagonga inlet.
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