Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

[Jerry_Atrick]

Well folks, it is that time of year again... Hope you all have a good Christmas (or festive season) and a happy, healthy new year. As usual, this forum is a great way to spend time, chew the fat, and get into little debate, but is most enjoyable and all it misses is the pub (can't say it misses the alcohol, sometimes ;-))

 

All the best for 2023!

 

[red750]

And likewise to you, my friend.

[old man emu]

All the best to you and yours.

 

Maybe next year you'll celebrate amongst the flies in the heat!

[nomadpete]

Yes, another year on planet earth has slid quietly beneath my keel.

 

I hope that in spite of all our collective trials and tribulations, each trip around the sun has brought some rewards to you all.

 

May 2023 bring less challenges and more happiness to you all.

[facthunter]

And a bit less water under the  Bridge.. Nev

[spacesailor]

The wife &  I , send all the joy of Cristmass ,to all .

Then 2023 will be " Healthy , Wealthy and Wise " .

spacesailor

[facthunter]

Compliments of the Season to you and yours too, Space.. Nev

[Yenn]

All the best to all of you.

[octave]

 

 

[red750]

May I also wish all members of Social Australia a merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year.

[red750]

Must be Christmas Eve. Saturday 9:30 pm and and I'm the only one logged in.

[pmccarthy]

Nah, I'm here too….

[Jerry_Atrick]

Last minute rush for those missing items for me today (it is not quite midday on Chrissie eve)

[onetrack]

Complaints ... errr ... Compliments of the Season to one and all. I trust you all have an enjoyable Christmas, and don't stuff yourselves on the Christmas tucker. We're all old enough to set an example, now. 

[pmccarthy]

We are all stuffed before we start. Merry Christmas!

[nomadpete]

Good morning PMC

Quiet. Isn't it!

Did I miss something?

 

[facthunter]

PROBABLY, but in that you are not ALONE. Nev

[old man emu]

I've had the pork in the oven at extreme heat at 7:00 am for half an hour. Now it's sitting at 150C until midday. I've done some ironing and the washing up. I'll have a quick shave and go visit my Beloved where she rests.

[nomadpete]

Please OME!

STOP IT, I'm almost feeling guilty.

To celebrate the economic boost others support in the festive season (sarcasm), yesterday we sailed from small island (Van Diemens Land) to little island (Bruny Island). Fortunately the majority of boating folk were busy elsewhere so we are now enjoying peace and goodwill anchored in a picturesque perfectly calm bay to ourselves. Just finished breakfast in bed. Haven't heard any carols for at least 24hrs!

Not everybody's Xmas, but is our utopia.

 

[nomadpete]

OME. I know such times as this are the hardest for you. Peace and goodwill to you especially. Enjoy the positive side the fond memories of better times, they will be strong today.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Still Christmas Eve here.. Have finished dinner and now going to enjoy a sip of Baileys before finishing some chores for the big day. Our heating finally gave up the ghost, after about 6 months trying to get plumbers (thank's Brexit). Thankfully we ordered two word during stoves (bit like pot-bellied stoves, but no exposed flue) before the price hikes and shortages thanks to the electricity prices going through the roof... and we have. good supply of firewood., so in the areas that count, it is still nice and toasty. Also, apart from a couple of weeks ago, where the mercury dipped to -6 c, it has been very mild. 

 

Alas, the in laws figured it would be too cold for them, and at the last minute, the decided they would be more comfy at my partner's sisters for Christmas. This will be only the second Chrissie that I can remember  with just the nuclear family. The last time was only 2 years ago, and to be honest, it was the best Chrissie I remember. No stress, worrying about treading on toes, etc. We really enjoyed each other's company. Hopefully the same this year. 

 

Although, some friends from the village will be popping in for some Cheeses later in the day.

 

 

 

 

[facthunter]

I once purchased a house so bad that I could pay cash for it and people stopped coming to see me, except the ones that mattered.   The best stray cat in the world found me too..  Nev

[onetrack]

I think we've outlived a lot of friends - and family and relatives all choose to live a long way away, in places such as the Gold Coast. So Christmas lunch today is just myself and SWMBO and stepdaughter.

Numbers of people close to us, including stepdaughters partner, are working Christmas Day, such is the problem of a lack of employees (or employable people) locally.

 

But it's a fabulous day, weather-wise, 18° to 30°, and blue skies, and little wind. Forecast says a strong, cool Sou-Westerly seabreeze after lunch, typical of this time of year.

We've got premium local fish, some yummy Frenched lamb cutlets, a couple of pieces of nice porterhouse steak, some artisan breads, salads, trifle with cream, icecream, fruit platters with strawberries, pineapple, watermelon, rockmelon, oranges, delicious cherries, blueberries, and stonefruit galore.

Just about all W.A.-produced food, too, which is the way it should be, to help the environment. I have never figured out what kind of management stupidity thinks shipping foods 4000-5000 kms across Australia, makes sense. Pineapple is about the only thing that we have to get in, from QLD.

 

We're not overly fussed about pork meat, so it rarely gets eaten in our household. A bit of local unsmoked bacon occasionally, is about the limit of our porcine consumption. 

 

 

[onetrack]

Quote

Although, some friends from the village will be popping in for some Cheeses later in the day.

Oh yes - Just up the street, we have a big Catholic church and school, and when we went for a walk last night to check out the Christmas lights in the local streets, the Catholics were celebrating with Cheeses of Nazareth.

[facthunter]

They would have only had bread and fish and cheap wine. Nev