For me being on the road for Xmas was going to be very difficult – I’m used to hosting our family Xmas, so this was going to be very foreign. Mr C understood how important it was to be in a home for this time of the year, so when my friend Ann invited us – I was delighted and accepted with pleasure.

Staying in Carwoola NSW was great, catching up with our friends was wonderful. Spending time with them in their home for Xmas was fabulous. We loved living in the Cottage, it’s been a welcomed break from the caravan. Our first 5 days was sheer bliss, comfy bed, ensuite, and kitchenette. Then we went on a mini break whilst the caravan was being repaired (last blog) and returned to the Cottage on the 22nd of December to prepare for Xmas. Ann & Ali’s house was just down a small hill, so weren’t on top of each other. We stayed another 5 days then continued our trip.

We were staying just outside Queanbeyan which is in NSW on our friend’s property which is in Carwoola – sometimes it feels really weird driving in and out of NSW and ACT you almost get dizzy.  

Mr C and I went into Canberra city centre to do some shopping and have a look around. We were surprised that the city was really quiet, hardly any people around – apparently Canberrans go to the seaside during the Christmas break. Another great place that’s new in Canberra is The National Arboretum its 250 hectares with 44,000 rare and endangered trees. We had a lovely coffee in the cafe overlooking some of the trees and Black Mountain – well worth a visit. I looked up the word arboretum, it’s a botanical garden devoted to trees – Ali summed it up nicely when she said, “it’s like a library of trees”.

One day on our drives out we picked a beautiful Xmas tree, there is nothing like the smell of fresh pines on a Xmas tree. We also went to Mount Anslie, you get a fabulous view of parliament house and surrounding area again, it really is worth a visit.

Preparing for Xmas day festivities was great, we had bought oysters down south in Eden, Ann & Ali bought the ham, prawns and turkey – we all decorated the tree, and all participated in the cooking. Mr C chucked the oysters – a feast was had by all. It was by far the coldest, wettest Xmas day we’ve had in a very long time – it was 17 degrees and raining – Perth was 37. Despite the weather, it was good to cook and eat not sweltering in the heat.

Xmas eve was spent playing Qwirkle to determine the order for choosing our Xmas gifts – and sadly I won and had to choose first – but we had so much fun playing – Midnight mass is essential for me; I went to the Catholic Church in Queanbeyan and it was heartwarming. The drive back was a little scary being so dark, no lights and I came across three kangaroos luckily, they did not run out in front of me.

I made vanilla slice (desert) for the first time, it was fabulous, it all turned out – except for my Yorkshire puddings, they just did not rise well – I think it was because I did not mix it well – I was disappointed. However, the vanilla slice was made to perfection – very happy with the outcome. It would not be fair not to talk about the pooches – Maggie a mini-Schnauzer, Austin a Jack Russell and Sadie a Australian Shepherd (being dog sat) – all part of the family – they greeted us every morning at the cottage, it was fun having doggie cuddles and play dates and spoiling them with treats.

Christmas for me is about family, children, friendships, food, fun and prayer – it’s also a time of gratitude, reflection and missing those who are not with us. We are very grateful to have spent Xmas with our friends. I am also so grateful for modern technology that we were able to facetime all our family and talk to them – what was really amazing was that Kirsten, Jamie and the kids joined the family chat from Scotland – so in essence we all got to wish each other a Merry Xmas and see each other over the internet, how great is that.

We stayed an extra day so I could meet up with my nursing friend Judith from back in the day – she has an amazing garden with the some absolutely gorgeous flowers. We spent hours reminiscing and sharing our goals for the future. It’s wonderful when friendships can just pick up where you left off the last time you met (for us was several years ago in Perth). I have really enjoyed catching up with friends all over Australia – it reminds me of what great professions nursing and midwifery are, because you create life-time friendships.

Now that Xmas is over, we will be heading for out next adventure towards Victoria and the Great Ocean Road – heading westward bound – see you in the next blog.