10/12 landed in Melbourne and arrived at Tom and Sarah's place by 8 pm. Tom fired up the barbie and we relaxed. Their new house is about 5x bigger than the flat last year so it's great to not be tripping over each other! We spent an exciting next day unpacking and clothes washing after the past fortnight's travelling.
14/12. T & S had volunteered to host the annual 'orphans party' for all their friends which mainly means ex-pat 30 something's from around the world and now residents of Melbourne. I 'volunteered' to cook turkey and roasties but apparently it's impossible to buy a fresh turkey 2 weeks before Christmas so I bought a frozen one and the largest fresh chicken available. About 30+ guests arrived late afternoon each bringing food and a secret Santa present. The weather was quite cool, which nobody minded as it had been really hot the previous day and would have made sitting outside uncomfortable. Secret Santa went well, with some suitably random gifts. Each person takes a number and in turn selects a present from under the tree. If, after unwrapping, you don't like your selection you can take any present already claimed and the person who has had to give up their gift selects another one from the stock. This means whoever has the final number can select the present of his/ her choice from all the opened ones. Tom had the last number and chose a glass terrarium. Great party, lots of lovely people. We will be eating up party food for next few days!