So. That is January gone already, doesn't time fly when you are having fun? Or are we just geting old?

Hogmanay, we were at John and Julie's with the Dinner Party Group, 12 of us plus Lauren-Jane. She spent most of the night in the spa! We had formal dinner then it was "Auld Lang Syne" at the "Bells". The party went on until about 0430 hours when we had our traditional finish to the night. Runrigs Loch Lomond has for some reason been adopted by the group as its "anthem" and we always finish with it. I have convinced all of them of it's beauty. They all have copy of it! Home and asleep by 0530 hours.

We were up early (well earlyish!!) to organise our recuperation BBQ on the 1st. From 1700 hours onwards about 30 people-friends, neighbours were here. A nice warm slow(!!) night. Not too late though as we were off in the morning to Anglesea for the week. We set off reonably early after finishing the clearing up. Thank goodness for dishwashers! Heading, initially for Portland, the only deepwater harbour between Melbourne and Adelaide, we stopped for lunch in Naracoorte. Then it was on through the Coonawarra. that wonderful wine growing district, especially its reds, past Mount Gambier with its Blue Lake and onto Portland.

Changing our watches at the border we arrived in Portland late afternoon we had a pleasant dinner in a very disorganised pub and then settled into motel for the night. In the morning we set of for Warnambool, the Great Ocean Road and Anglesea. The road is one of the great scenic drives of the world. At points it is cliff face and ocean on one side and cliff face and hills the other. It passes through many small resort towns. Along the way there is the Shipwreck area of coast, the 12 Apostles (although there never were 12) one of which collapsed into the sea a year or so ago and through a tropical rainforest.

We were not in any hurry which was fortunate as there are few passing places along the road. One can almost understand road rage when stuck for kilometres behind a Mercedes or a Volvo (it always seem to be them doing 40/50 kilometres in a 90 zone. However we duly arived in Anglesea in the early afternoon. Lauren-Jane straight to the beach with Sarah her friend. They had a terrific time with each other (they get together once, twice a year, so lots of catching up) Boggie boarding and bike riding and the pool. We just relaxed in the peace and quiet assisted by the refreshments and the company.

Heading back a week later we took the inland route home staying overnight in Hamilton a small country town in Victoria. Home next day after lunch again in Naracoorte. We arrived home to a surprise. One of our goldfish, or so Lauren-Jane thought had had a "baby". The truth was some what more prosaic. Steve, our fishsitter thought two had died so he replaced them, actually only one died. Unfortunately one of the new ones did die, so we are back to two again.

Lauren-Jane spent a few more weeks on school holidays, she had sleepovers at both her boy and girl cousins'. She also had a couple of days at horseriding camp. Loves horses, she is back at school now.

January also of course brings Burn's Night. It is celebrated in Adelaide by a march to his statue on North Terrace and with a ceilidh and of course Burn's Suppers. Australia Day, which is a public holiday (are you listening First Minister and Executive?) follows. It is a celebration /commemoration of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Councils and the Federal Government hold large citizenship ceremonies. Politicians make many speeches about what it is to be "Aussie" and there are innumerable BBQ's and the like. It must be said however that not all 'Indigenous Australians' celebrate what many of them regard as Invasion day.

Weather wise the drought has been partly broken. There have been good soaking rains in the cities. The country has had quite torrential monsoonal type downpours. All rain is good, however, the countryside has suffered flooded, washed away roads and rail lines, stations (properties) have been cut off and lots of the rain has just disappeared. There are still benefits. The Diamantina river in Queensland is in flood. This means that Lake Eyre in SA will fill. It is usually a dry lake which fills every 10 or so years. Donald Campbell used the lake for his world land speed record attempt in the early 60's. The lake filling will bring the outback to life, with large birds, including pelicans nesting and breeding there. Fish will even appear in it! Flora and fauna will colour the area. It is quite a marvellous sight.

On the sporing front Australia continues to to trounce England in criket's One day series they have slightly more trouble beating New Zealand. England must just wish it is time to go home.

Adelaide United drew 0-0 with Melbourne in the first leg of their major semi final. They play second leg in Melbourne on 4th Feb. It is expected that there will be 56,000 at the game. Football is of course only the third sport behind Aussie rules and Rugby Union and leagu! The winner goes straight to the Grand FinaI. the loser plays either Newcastle or Sydney to join them. We have beaten Melbourne in Melbourne this seasons. Fingers crossed!!!

Till next time.

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)