The year that was

It's nearly gone,

another year,

just a blur.

Camping

The holidays are on in force, but it's too late for most, the best spots are already taken!

Beachfront Mooloolaba is not a bad place to watch the last of 2008 disappear over the horizon.

Mooloolaba

Heaven!

While many were no doubt at the beach having a barbecue, we were at a fairly typical Australian Christmas dinner.

Find a cool corner of the backyard, (next to the shed and compost bin), erect some temporary shade, don't forget the net covers to keep the flies off the food!

It's amazing how none of that incidental detail is visible, let alone important when one is immersed in having a good time surrounded by friends and family!

Springwood

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Dinner in Queensland.

A range of roasted meats, and a litre of sunblock!

Christmas Present

The crowds are descending on the beaches as the holiday begins, so today we'll just sit at home, read a bit and think about the year that was!

It's over!

Another photo taken far from the Sunshine Coast, but symbolic none the less of the deflated feeling one gets when a time of festivity is over.

From today, tourists will start to arrive at the Coast in droves. The place will become crowded, and for residents the tranquility to which we are accustomed will depart for a few weeks!

It's a great time to sit quietly at home and sort my favourite pictures of last year for a day or two! I must say that finding a suitable festive shot a day was made surprisingly difficult by the distinct lack of public decoration in our immediate area. I was expecting to come across acres of windows clad in "Santa Snow", butchers wearing antlers, and children terrified at the thought of meeting Santa. Perhaps I just need to get out more!

I hope you all had a great day!

Lawson
Blue Mountains

A word from the sponsor!

On Christmas Day last year, these balloons were decorating part of the beach picnic area, a lovely gesture which saved me getting out and about early to find a photo this year!

Have a happy and Holy Christmas!

Mooloolaba

'twas the night before Christmas

"and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse....


Mooloolaba

The Real Christmas Story

For years the people of the Kawana Uniting Church have done a great job in getting the real Christmas message into the community, with a grand display telling the story of the first Christmas.

This year was no different, with thousands of local residents visiting in the weeks leading up to the 25th December.

You still have two nights left to get there!

Kawana Uniting Church
Thunderbird Drive
Bokarina

Santa Hat

Yesterday we went to Underwater World with Mr Two and his parents. (More pics next month!) Here he is, admiring a family of sea horses.

Before we left home he was rummaging through our box of decorations, and he decided that "The Hat" would suit him perfectly for a day on the town. After all, it almost matched his board shorts and tank top.

It was cute though!

Underwater World
Mooloolaba

Seasonal Confusion

Confusion is when an excessively pale Fred Flintstone dons a red velvet coat, together with a matching red jesters cap complete with three "snowball" pom poms, and sits in the back of a truck wishing all a Merry Christmas under a blazing sun!

There's something weird going on inside my head!

Maroochydore

The Esplanade

For Ann. To prove that our Council is really in the swing of this Christmas thing.

There are actually TWO Merry Christmas banners!

Actually there may be one or two others as well, and to be fair the Esplanade has a bountiful supply of attraction without any tacky tinsel, but it's been rather harder than I expected carrying through the theme for the whole month!

The Esplanade
Mooloolaba

Merry Skywatch Christmas

On the last Skywatch Friday before Christmas, I thought I'd take a leaf out of our Council's book and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and of course clear blue skies!

More Skywatch images can be found the Skywatch Site

Gum Trees and Reindeer

The setting sun and gum trees blowing in a 36°C breeze is probably not the view these rooftop reindeer are accustomed to!

Santa Goes Solar

More Santa Goes Solar

A tiny corner of Helen and Ray's Solar Powered garden! The red box hides the battery bank, and the little sloping roof over it is made entirely of solar panels.


Santa Goes Solar

Peregian Beach

Santa Goes Solar

Last night we visited our friends Ray and Helen to watch Santa's lights arrive by the power of the Sun. The "roof" in the foreground is in fact an array of solar panels which power an amazing variety of Christmas lights.

More pics over the coming days, but for more technical type information, please visit Santa Goes Solar.

Peregian Beach

Life Saver

With the arrival of the summer holidays, the volunteer Surf Life Savers are out in force, seven days a week.

This photograph was taken on Christmas Day last year. They never sleep!

Mooloolaba

Christmas Where The Gumtrees Grow

Christmas in Australia isn't complete without a rendition from the local Pre-School kids!

CHRISTMAS WHERE THE GUM TREES GROW
(Val Donlon / Lesley Sabogal)
(poem)


Christmas where the gum trees grow
There is no frost and there is no snow
Christmas in Australia's hot
Cold and frosty is what its not
When the bloom of the Jackaranda tree is here
Christmas time is near

From England came our Christmas fare
They even said what Santa should wear
But here down under for summers cool
Santa should dip in a swimming pool

Christmas where the gum trees grow
There is no frost and there is no snow
Christmas in Australia's hot
Cold and frosty is what its not
When the bloom of the Jackaranda tree is here
Christmas time is near

Santa rides in a sleigh on snow
But down here where the gum trees grow
Santa should wear some water ski's
And glide around Australia with ease

Christmas where the gum trees grow
There is no frost and there is no snow
Christmas in Australia's hot
Cold and frosty is what its not
When the bloom of the Jackaranda tree is here
Christmas time is near

To ride around the bush where its dry
To cart all the presents piled so high
A red nosed reindeer would never do
Santa should jump on a kangaroo

Christmas where the gum trees grow
There is no frost and there is no snow
Christmas in Australia's hot
Cold and frosty is what its not
When the bloom of the Jackaranda tree is here
Christmas time is near

Picture kindly supplied by friend, commentator, mother of Matmoo and now Guest Blogger - Zet!

Santa comes in a big black boots!

In my youth, one of the sure sign that summer had arrived was the abundance of panel vans which arrived at the beach laden with surfboards and fit young people. Fashions have changed, and there are more "Utes" (pickups) than vans, and this one looks all rather too beachy and summer for its own good!

This pic still reminds me of the words of the John Williamson song "Christmas in Australia" though:

Christmas Photo
John Williamson


Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Christmas tree, native pine
Lights and tinsel, all entwined
Put a fairy on the top
There's Gran and Pa and Joan and Pop
Ham and turkey's organised
Won't the grandkids be surprised?
When Santa comes in big black boots
In the back of Jacko's Ute

It's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Hang on Les, where did Dad go?
I gotta get everyone in the picture
I don't know where he's gone
Oh look here he is, come on Dad, hurry up!
Say Cheese, Cheese
Oh nope, mum's missing now
That'd be right

Oh yum, yum pig's bum, Christmas pudding
All the ladies do the cooking
All the men are really slack
Slappin' each other on the back
How ya goin' Tangles, how was your year?
Might rain tomorrow, have a cold beer.
I hear young Greg is playin' fullback,
Guess he gets it all from you Jack,
Blah, blah, blah, blah.
Anyone up for a game of cricket?
Yeah

Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Hang on Soph*, where did Garth go?
I've got to get everyone in the picture
Oh OK, hang on I'll just go find him.
Garth, hurry up!
Oh he's just here, Garthy quick, come here!
Oh no hang on, now Scotty's missing
Oh Less, it's too hard
Let's just go play cricket, Yeah

Oh me not out, oh yes you are Nick
It's your ball, Max don't bowl too quick
Oh Nick has run off with the bat
After him across the flat
C'mon Cub you've had a bowl
Give the ball to Christie
Oh Tom Tit, Pee-Wee, Brookie, Side Kick
You're on my side, grab the bat quick
Now he's run off with the stump
Better give that Nick a bump
Oh I think I'll just go have another Rum

Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Oh hang on Les, where's Amy?
I gotta get everyone in the picture
I don't know where she is
I think she's already started eating
Nah, nah, here she comes, come on Amy
Hurry up, hurry up
Say cheese, Cheese
Oh no hang on, where's Brandy? Oh Adam!

Oh see the goanna up the gum tree
He's gonna get a feed today free
When the campers leave the lake
Bits of chook and choccy cake
It's Christmas time for him as well
See his big long belly swell

Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Hang on Dad, where's Thomo?
I gotta get everyone in the picture
Well where is he?
Well I don't know!
Oh nah, here he is, come on Graham
Hurry up, come on, OK
OK everyone say cheese, Cheese
And.... ... ... got it!
Oh finally, woo hoo!
Oh it's December in Australia

Mooloolaba

Norfolk Pine Sky

Norfolk Island Pines are endemic strangely enough, to Norfolk Island, but many years ago someone decided quite correctly that they were a hardy beachfront plant, and so most of the beaches on the east coast of Australia feature them.

Of course at Christmas time they are a sitter for a setting the scene for the season.

When I took this photograph yesterday, the temperature was once again 30°C(86°F) yet if you look ever so carefully in the centre left, you'll see a snowman! We do try ever so hard to get into that northern hemisphere season thing!

For the Skywatch Fans, our skies are devoid of cloud for much of the day in summer but the air is full of humidity (81% yesterday), after a few days of that sort of weather, clouds begin to build in the evening and a thunderstorm will roll through, and the whole cycle begins afresh!

More Skywatch images can be found the Skywatch Site

Water Melon

There is no surer sign that Christmas is here, than finding a large plate of sliced watermelon at someone else's picnic!

Watermelon
Mooloolaba

Rudolph

There's a fair chance Rudolph won't be leading Santa's sleigh this year.

He has been decapitated and his head tied to a boat in Mooloolaba harbour, presumably as a warning to his mates.

Just what sort of warning, I am yet to work out!

Reindeer
Mooloolaba

Orange

December is when the last of the Poinciana blooms begin to fade. Through the early part of summer the Delonix regia (Poinciana's) provide a brilliant red orange foil to the mauve of the Jacarandas.

The Poinciana is native to Madagascar, but flourishes in our climate providing deep shade and a wild canopy of colour.

It's an illusion which makes the photo look like a faded relic, but in the last throes of the afternoon, the colour seems to infuse with the fading blue of the sky.

Maroochydore

Minding a spot

Holidays are a beach towel, a book and bare feet.

Mooloolaba

Splash

Summer means clear water, and fine sand, and the smell of sunscreen.

Mooloolaba

Pigface

Just how Carpobrotus glaucescens became known as Pigface is anybody's guess, but it is a succulent plant, often found in the sand dunes by our beaches, and it's pretty flowers are another of those reminders that Christmas is just around the corner.

When the Pigface is in flower, summer holidays have arrived!

Pigface
Dicky Beach

Smiley Skywatch

This is my first SKYWATCH post, and technically you can't see the sky!

Although I suspect that there will be few visitors inspired by the thumbnail view, the moon and stars were smiling on us this week, so I thought I could divert from the Christmas theme for a day, after all if the heaven's want to spread good cheer, well the least I can do is spread it!

Venus and Jupiter conspired with the moon to make a smiley face for some in the Southern Hemisphere, while I understand the folk in the US saw the opposite: a sad face. ☹

More Skywatch images can be found the Skywatch Site

Photo taken on 1st December 2008.
Mooloolaba

Gingerbread Houses!

Christmas is worth waiting for just for the goodies that appear in van Weegan's Bakery.

A village of ginger bread houses wait patiently for a "snow" dusting of icing sugar. It's all so deliciously out of context in our warm sunny climate, but nobody argues. We all know that Christmas time is snow time!


van Weegan's
Brisbane Road
Bundillla

Summer Frost

Visitors from a colder climate could be forgiven for thinking that this was a picture taken through a frosty window.

Alas December here brings us temperatures around 30°C (86°F) which makes frost rather unlikely. Sadly but beautifully no less, it's just the setting sun viewed through a dirty window.


Sunshine Plaza
Maroochydore

The first swallow

Just like seeing the first swallows of spring in some countries, the first lights of Christmas are a joy.

These have been illuminating my journey home at night since early November!

Mooloolaba

All my life's a circle!

Not quite a circle nor a perfect sphere, but an entirely unnecessary reminder that the Christmas Season is almost upon us.

This photo wasn't taken on the Sunshine Coast, but at Joan's place in the Blue Mountains, where two years ago we spent our first Christmas away from our (adult) children.

While in reality it's just a fancy glass light globe, it's special because of where it was and where we were when I took the photo, for us it's a very personal reminder of the true value of a long and lasting friendship, to say nothing of a fantastic couple of weeks!

Over the coming three weeks, I will attempt to convey some of the flavour of the Christmas Season in Australia. I'm not sure that will be an easy task, but time will tell.

In the meantime for the curious, here's the official Australian Government information page! (I didn't believe it needed an explanation either!)

This is one of 187 photoblogs participating in today's theme Circles/Spheres. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Christmas at Joan's
Blue Mountains Australia

Sheraton Noosa

I don't think the Sheraton Noosa ever quite fitted with the rest of the urban context (sorry Brian). It's a little bit of Florida sticking up on its own really, but it makes a nifty photo.

Sheraton Noosa
Noosa

Ewen Maddock Dam

It's rare for us to find a landscape that could honestly be called "pretty". Rugged, handsome, awe inspiring, vast are all words that are more usually associated with images of the Australian Landscape, but I think there are bits of Ewen Maddock dam that are pretty!

Mooloolah

Glass Houses

Two of the Glasshouse Mountains looming small over a pineapple farm.

The Glass House Mountains were named by James Cook as he sailed north up the coast in 1770. They were so called as the shape of the mountains reminded him of the huge glass furnaces (glasshouses) back in his native Yorkshire.

When one lives in a country as flat as ours, one takes liberties with naming terrain, Mt Coonowrin or Crookneck (the one on the right) is a towering 377 metres above sea level.

Glass House

Pineapple

Last month I posted a picture of a "pineapple tree" in jest, with a promise to post one of a real pineapple some time. It took a while to find one in a similar stage of unripedness (if that's a word) to the Pandanus fruit.

The pineapple is a member of the Bromeliad family, and the fruit grows from the centre of the plant.

If I remain diligent, I'll find one that's ripened to the familiar golden yellow for a future day.

Beerwah

Sirocco by night

There are all sorts of impacts on global warming I know, but Sirocco is a beautifully lit by night. By day the building is a crisp white, by night a blue to reflect the daytime sky. I rather like it by night as well.


Here is a daytime picture!

Mooloolaba

Beach Gallery

I've just realised I've posted a week of water photographs! It's well and truly time to come ashore again for a time.

Scott Munchenburg's gallery in Mooloolaba is not only full of fabulous photographs, it has without a doubt the best floor covering of any beach side gallery in the world.

If you look carefully, you'll make it out. Beach Sand!

The darker quadrant in the right hand corner is a coire door mat, thoughtfully positioned so one can wipe one's feet as one leaves!

Mooloolaba

Gerry's

At Alexandra Headland there's a surf break known as Gerry's, because that's where the geriatrics hang out.

Alexandra Headland

Montezumas

Montezumas Mexican Restaurant in Mooloolaba, has its entire ceiling decorated in vintage surfboards of all shapes, it's a museum in itself.

Mooloolaba

Getting In

This photo was taken in the dead of winter, which explains the wetsuit top, but I didn't get around to posting it earlier, and there's something comfortable about the stance, surfer and wave, like old friends about to embrace.

Alexandra Headland

Microwave

Well it's not really "micro" but it's just a lovely little wave on the bluff at Alex. It's days like this that lead to the description "like glass".

Alexandra Headland

Calm before the storm.

Less than thirty seconds before the blackness of yesterday's picture, the river looked like this, the last visible rays of the sun are glistening on the river, although I've burnt out the sky to better show the menacing form of the cloud.

The calm before the storm.

Mooloolah River
Mountain Creek

Storm Front

A giant black curtain is drawn across the land.

Last Sunday evening we had a storm front pass through just on dusk. We didn't suffer the full brunt of it, unlike some parts of Brisbane which have been declared a disaster area, but this is what it looks like a few minutes before the wind and rain hits!

The last of the blue sky is still visible under the cloud for now, but in less than thirty seconds all sunlight is obliterated.


Mooloolah River
Mountain Creek

The Bluff

Alex is a great place to watch others after you've got back from a surf. On days when the surf is big, there's standing room only along the top of the bluff.

Alexandra Headland

Two Way Two

Another reflection in Two Way Creek, this time a more abstract picture, reflecting some safety mesh while there is work happening on a footbridge over it.

Caloundra

Two Way Creek

Two Way Creek is named presumably because it flows in two directions with the ebb and flow of the tide, although its mouth is often completely barred from the ocean with a build up of sand, so at times it more like "no way pond"!

I thought this picture was a nice reflective pun on the name.

Two Way Creek
Caloundra

Late in the afternoon, the UV rays are at their lowest and it's a great time for kids to paddle around relatively unprotected.

Kings Beach
Caloundra

Tinny

By far the largest type of small fishing boat is the aluminium runabout or dinghy, known as the "tinny" with allusions to the metal of that name!

Tinnies are robust, lightweight and need almost no maintenance, which suits pretty much every owner to a tee.

Caloundra

Port

Keep port to port going into port.

I think that's it, certainly the red buoy can't be missed near the mouth of the Pumicestone Passage.

Caloundra

Mossy Rocks

There's a spring of fresh water here near the mouth of the Pumicestone Passage, and the mosses obviously like the slightly less salty taste!

Pumicestone Passage
Caloundra