December was very busy, what with the preparations for Christmas and New Year and the start of school holidays for Lauren. The weather was very kind at times. That means pleasantly warm mostly but we did have the stifling heat also.

The Leader of the State opposition went through some pain physically. I'll explain. The Southern Australia Police were considering introducing Taser guns there was a civil liberties outcry (there usually is!) Ms. Redmond offered to be "Tasered" to show that the guns are effective but not deadly! You may remember that a man died in Queensland as a result of being hit by a Taser. Mind you, apparently he had received multiple "hits" and had a heart condition! So. Ms Redmond was duly "delivered" of a 'hit'. Unfortunately, for the public it was done in private and no details have been released of how she fared. She was, however, out and about as usual next day. The Premier declined her offer to join her!!

December is a silly season here as well as other places! Christmas went very well for the Fords! we all seemed to get the gifts we wanted. Lauren especially did very well. Mind you she did mention that a new computer would be good--for her school work, you understand!!! She considers the ones we have, as somewhat prehistoric. She did of course turn 14 just befoe Christmas, and did very well for her birthday too. We had a fine Christmas day with breakfast at our neighbours (Champagne of course) then Lunch at our place. On Boxing Day it was our turn to host Kim's family. That was also a very good day. The weather was just right and the deck made for a lovelly setting. Hogmanay it must be said was a disappointment. We had organised with the Dinner Party Group to attend a special diner dance at one of our better hotels and spend the night there, the Dance, it must be said, at least for us, was a dismal failure. Band was a 3 piece "slumber" band. No special attempt seemed to have been made for New Year's Eve at all. Then we noted that we were the youngest group, certainly in attitude and outlook. It was very quiet indeed. Not at all what we had been led to believe. We left before Midnight and went to an Irish pub. Got there before the "Bells" that turned out to be very enjoyable. We saw the Year in in some style after all. Breakfast in the mornig at the hotel was subdued but fine. Kim and I had an "open house" in the evening of the 1st. That was very succesful.

On the Sunday we headed off to Fiji for a week. We stayed at the Sonai Salli Resort near Nadi. It was very hot, very humid. Lauren likened it to breathing water!!! She had horse rides and jet skied--at 70kph at one stage. Kim, when she went with her, kept the speed to a sedate 40! we had a sunset cruise on a catamaran and generally just relaxed. Less relaxing was driving to Suva.We had rented a car and I drove the 240K's. It was interesting to say the least. Not to mention at times a trifle scary. Fijians, it seems, drive to their own rules. A sad note was the obvious antipathy between Fijians and Fijian Indians. It was however a very enjoyable week since our return both Kim and I have gone back to work. It is just like we were never away. I am sure that you know that feeling.

It has been a busy month in S.A. We had the International Tennis challenge with such as Pat Rafter, Henry LeConte, Pat Cash and young Bernard Tomic. The star was John Macenroe, who both played and commented. He called our Premier Randy at a press conference! We think he meant Ranny which is what Lance Armstrong refers to Mike as! No one is quite sure if Mcenroe had heard of Mr Rann's alleged indiscretion. The Tour Down Under was also held very succesfully. Lots of international TV coverage for us all over the world, Lance Armstrong again competed. He was, it became apparent, paid a very large sum of money to appear. The Government cited "business in confidence" to avoid telling us just how much!! Lance also "endorsed "his friend Ranny as Premier. With an election due in March questions were raised about the propriety of this. Mr Rann had another bad day last weekend. He was due to open an art exhibition. However, somehow Michelle (the woman in the alleged indiscretion!) had received an invite and was there with her mother. When the Premier heard this he did not turn up. Mutterings of media setups have been heard from the Labor Party. The trial of Michelle's husband, accused of assaulting Mr. Rann will be on about the time of the election. More to follow on that. Also Mr Rann is suing channel 7 and New Idea (woman's mag.) over the allegations publication. It will be an interesting election!

Sporting wise, we continued to be disapointed by Adelaide United. They continue to be the "strongest" team in the league. They must be, they are holding everyone else up! Still there is always next season. Unfortunately, they are due to play in the Asian Champions League next month. They will have to improve. Cricket went much better. Australia saw off both the West Indies 2-0 and Pakistan 3-0 in the test series. Scott and I went to a couple of the matches. Pakistan was also whitewashed in the 50 over series 5-0. South Australia reached the final of the domestic 20/20 competition only to lose it at home. Scott and I were there sadly.

On a more personal note. It has been a good news bad news month for me. Shortly one of the friends I grew up with, went dancing (the Palias) and played football with will be in OZ and will stay with us for a while. that is to be looked forward to. Sadly, I received news at the weekend, that a friend had passed away in Glasgow's Southern General from cancer. Alistair Hulett was a very fine singer and writer of songs. He was a native glaswegian but had lived in OZ for many years before returning to Scotland in the mid 90's. He toured here last year and had returned home before taking ill on New Years Day. He will be sadly missed. On that sad note. 'Til next time

Take Care

Eric

(Article by Eric Ford, Australia)