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Christmas in Australia is a little bizarre to say the least. The traditions are very much the same. We opened our stockings from farther Christmas, had breakfast, opened our family prezzies had a full turkey lunch and homemade Christmas pudding and mince pies with brandy butter. The only differences were that we spent all day in shorts and t-shirts and ate outside by the pool in 30C heat. It was brilliant having my family over, I think I would have found it very hard not to have them here. It was hard enough being away from home and family. I really miss all my mates back home, and especially not spending Christmas Day with my Granny. I had some beautiful presents, some great camera gear and a whole lot of help with getting my travel plans sorted. I just want to thank everyone who sent me a card or present - really means a lot, especially when I am so far from home. I hope you all had a great Christmas.
Boxing Day was another day of exploring for us. We were dressed in shorts and t-shirts again and headed back into the city, this time with U.Nick and the two girls as well. We all caught the 'Popeye' boat along the Torrens (the river that runs through Adelaide) up to the Zoo. The Torrens isn't at all like the Themes is in London or the Mersey in Liverpool. For starters it doesn't smell so bad and there are fountains all through the middle with people messing about on peddle-boats. We spent a fair time at the Zoo looking at all the native animals. We weren't able to get as close to them as we could in Paul's Place but I did manage to see a Tasmanian Devil and believe it or not but it really was going round in circles! The temperature was a little on the hot side for Mum, dad and Phillip and they were finding it all a bit too much even with a healthy dose of ice-cream each. They had been really lucky with the weather whilst they had been here - it had been cool put pleasant which meant they could enjoy themselves so much more. We then walked back from the Zoo through Adelaide botanical gardens to the station. At home there was a full seafood barbie waiting for us and we dined on octopus legs, calamari and fish. All yummy, though my brother didn't think so.
The day after Boxing Day was the 27th, the day Mum, Dad, Phillip and U.Nick were scheduled to go home. We spent the morning mucking about in the pool having a good laugh and taking lots of pictures. Then they all packed their bags into the car and then dad took his final drive in the Mini with the roof down. I thought it was very mean of them, making me say goodbye all over again. It was so hard having to let them go again, especially when this time it is for 6 and a half months. I had missed them terribly and I miss them even more now. I speak to them on Skype a couple of times a week but it doesn't make up for the hugs I miss.
Saying hello to 2008 was quiet this year. I decided to save my money and have little celebration with my family here in Adelaide for whom I am most grateful for letting me stay with them and letting me eat all their food and letting me attempt to burn their house down multiple times. I am still trying. It was odd saying "Happy New Year" when I knew that back home it was still 1.30pm on New Years Eve. I hope you all had a good celebration and that you all make this year a good one.
Since then I have been steadily planning my departure from Adelaide. The original plan was to first head over to Tasmania but that has fallen through with the difficulty of finding work. So I should be heading off to Melbourne shortly - another city another state. I hope to find a job pretty quickly and spend time exploring. The thing I am most anxious about is cooking for myself for 6 months. There is no need to worry about me being kidnapped or injuring myself through some insane activity like bungee jumping - I am more likely to starve myself to death first.
Next time I write I hope it will be from Melbourne if all goes to plan.
Miss you all,
Kathryn xXx
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