Christmas time -

What a wonderful weekend,
Getting away is always good for you. We really did have a nice time
Ballarat is a funny little place, there really isn't a lot there to interest a person,
We stayed by the lake as I mentioned and it was entirely dry, the town is a little worn around the edges and
You can easily see that it sprung up to accommodate the needs of the gold miners and was not designed to look pretty or win any competitions.
Sovereign Hill was a wonderful experience, the whole place is created to look just like it would have all those years ago
And it was so real that you really believed you had travelled back in time.
We took the underground tour of the mine and actually walked the ground where the miners would have trodden collecting the quartz to find the gold.
Panning for gold went well, we have a little bottle of real gold which we are both most proud of!
We had a roast dinner and we were both left feeling a little sad at the thought that both our mums, and
My grandmother make such lovely roasts and we are far to far away to enjoy them! Next time you tuck in please think about us
Living in a land where a good roast is as unlikely as a white Christmas!
After so much concern over the lack of Christmas spirit I am finally feeling festive and excited about Christmas.
We are preparing our food list tonight and El ( who is working 5 hour days ) is going to do the shopping tomorrow.
We have found a church for the Christmas service and will be busy wrapping our stocking presents this evening.
It will be odd speaking to everyone - Those in England will at least be celebrating on the same day, Simon and Rachel and Mum
However are a whole 17 hours behind so we will be well into boxing day before I get to wish them Merry Christmas.
I do hope the snow has let off, I was reading a report online about how the roads are completely snow blocked, and I worry that they will never make it from Illinois to Indiana - I have my fingers crossed that I am very much mistaken.
Well with Christmas in mind I would just like to wish you all the very best Christmas, may it be full of wonderful things.
If we do not speak to you we shall certainly be raising a glass of something bubbly on Christmas day and toasting to Absent friends,
You will all be well remembered.
All our love Leah and El