So we have just experienced our first Christmas away from the blighty and it was great! Don't panic Mum, I'm sure we will be back for next years but after that who knows....

As in England, over here everyone had the 4 days off and we both managed to get away from work early on the Friday as we were desperate for a yule tide beverage. That Friday night we meet up with Linz's ex work mate, Alex, as she was over in Oz visiting her brother. She came round for a few drinks and then we hit Bondi. It was a cool night as we meet up with a few more people and dragged them along to Bondi Hotel as well. Funniest part of the night was when Alex's necklace broke and about a million beads fell to the floor, at one point the bar was reminiscent of a scene from Home Alone where the burglars step on marbles and end up on their backsides!

Needless to say Saturday was a hangover day, so not much to report there. Although Linz did her usual of going to the beach to sit in the sea and so she could be cold and bare the pain!

Sunday was the day we had both waited for the whole time we had been away as it meant we got the chance to have our one bit of luxury, the Shangri-La!! Our room was on the 26th floor and although the weather was a bit pants, we had a great view of the Opera house. Some of the coolest things were the complimentary shoe shine service and the fact there was a phone next to the toilet! Don't worry Alan and Sue, Linz called you from the bed and not the bog! That evening we headed out for a meal in Circular Quay as we couldn't really afford to eat in Hotel as it was $125 a head!! We went to a nice little restaurant and had some very festive seafood. After that it was back to the hotel to experience the famous Horizon bar. This is the hotels bar, located on the 36th floor. It has panoramic views over pretty much the whole of Sydney, proper swanky. We didn't get too monkied there as again the drinks were a little too far north of our price budget, but we still supped away mixing it with the social elite feeling very at home.

And then it was Christmas day!!! As we opened our presents we ordered room service and when it arrived Linz answered the door wearing reindeer horns, the hotel worker thought this was hilarious. Linz felt it was her duty to bring some festive cheer to the poor girl who had to work on Xmas day. After a quick swim and a jacuzzi it was time to say goodbye to the Shangri-La and head back home to Bondi. The hotel was really good and it was totally appreciated compared to some of the holes we stayed in through Thailand, another very big thank you to you Amlin!

When we got back to Bondi it was time to hand out our secret Santa presents. Now I know secret Santa's are an opportunity to get random presents but some of the ones given out that day where unbelievable! To mention a few, 2 bags of crisps, a squeaky frog and a rubber car! We even managed to get Santa to give out the presents although he did resemble some good looking fella from Essex?!?!??! As the day went on the weather got better and better and we all got our wish of a hot Xmas day. As for Xmas dinner it was the turn of the English to take control and I think between me, Linz, Becky and Sock we did our country proud serving up a right royal feast. It was crazy to be eating Xmas dinner outside and having to put suncream on trying to avoid being burnt! After dinner it was time to hit the beach and as Linz had bought me a set of fake moustaches (another random present), we thought why not wear them down to the beach. It was so funny as we all got some odd looks, although it was quite errie the way some of the girls suited a tach! The beach was absolutely manic with literally every second person wearing a Santa hat. Highlight of the day for me though was being dressed as Santa and chasing Japanese tourists up and down the beach, there funny little people! The Santa suit didn't last too long as I don't think it was designed for marine activities! Later on that afternoon we filled up a cool box with alcohol and hit the grassy knolls behind the pavilion. I didn't manage to spot any second gunman but in the pavilion Gatecrasher were doing a set and so we just funked out to that. The rest of the day was made up of drinking and playing some very insightful but dangerous games of 'I have never'! All in all a Xmas day we will never forget and one everyone should experience at once least once in their lives.

Boxing day was spent hungover on the beach (does anyone spot a theme there: drink day, hangover day, drink day, hangover day, etc etc).

Now its back to work for a few days and preparing for New Years eve, where there should be a few more familiar faces on the photos next time round.

Merry New Year!!

Grant