We arrived in Adelaide early on Wednesday (21st) so parked on the outskirts and had a walk into the centre to pick up a couple of bits for Christmas. After getting lost in town we sprinted back to the car as we only had a 2 hour parking place, leaving Rachel behind I made it with a minute to spare, she finally caught up 10 minutes later. We then navigated successfully through the streets to Terry's and Cheryl's house, and unpacked the car. We all headed out for an extremely tasty Indian meal and to catch up on the last couple of months. We then nipped round Cheryl's friends house for a cuppa and so that Rachel could play with dogs, or as she says the woochi cuutchi doggy woggy's, she's still not getting one when we get back to the UK mind. After that we headed back via a house with a wonderful christmas lights display, they even had a button you could press to make a full size Santa dance. The most impressive part of it though was a holographic display thing in the window, which looked as if a real Santa was walking around inside the house. We then got back to the house to have a lovely night sleep in a comfy bed, it's been way too long since we've had that luxury.

On the Thursday (22nd) we had a nice long lie in then got up and ready and headed to the local shopping mall for some more Christmas shopping, ahhhhh way to many people, why don't these people do Christmas shopping online. After half an hour shopping Rachel realised she had left her teaching certificates in a camping shop we had stopped at on the way, we quickly jumped back in the car and headed back there. Thankfully the sales assistant had them along with her sunglasses, phew. We headed back to the shopping mall for some more mad shopping. Then we headed back for dinner with Terry, Cheryl, Suze, and Jordan, mmmmm tasty steak. The following day Friday (23rd) we did more shopping this time in the city centre, ahhhhhh I hate Christmas shopping, can't wait till next year when I can do it online. Then in the evening Terry took us to Lobethal to see the largest community Christmas lights display in the Southern Hemisphere. They also played out the Christmas Nativity with a real stable, real baby Jesus, real Camels, Doves, Sheep's and Donkey's which were fabulous. Almost as good as when I used to do it at school. We then headed back through the streets, which were packed with traffic.

On Christmas Eve (Saturday 24th) we decided that enough was enough and didn't brave the shops again. Instead we cleaned the car then had a lazy day playing table tennis and watching Christmas films on TV before we headed to Suze's for a BBQ dinner. It was a very impressive turnout of all family (Terry's side) and Jordan did a fantastic job of sweltering in front of the BBQ for hours to feed everyone. After the delicious meal we played around with magic cards from the crackers for a while, then we had a good natter, hearing about all of Deb's funny childhood torture stories of when she was babysitted by her Uncle's and Auntie's.

On Christmas day we arose and exchanged Christmas stockings then skyped Christine who was down the pub and we heard the FANTASTIC news that Stu had FINALLY proposed by the Christmas Tree (English Christmas Eve). We were so happy, congratulations to the two of you again, it's great news. We then heading off to Church for a nice service which Terry Held. We then headed back and Skyped Rachel's Parents and Sister and opened up some presents. Then Cheryl's parents arrived and we had a tasty Christmas Dinner, Cheryl had cooked the Turkey on the BBQ, which we were very impressed with and had made her own stuffing which was very tasty. After stuffing ourselves we collapsed on the sofa's for a while hardly able to move. Then people started arriving and we played some cricket and table tennis and nattered. It was another massive turnout of around 30 people. We then had a buffet dinner outside, with a tasty trifle style salad. We even managed to squeeze some of Cheryl's delicious cheesecake in for desert even though we were stuffed. We all had where's Wally style Christmas searches as our place-mats which we had hours of fun seeing who could complete them the quickest. We then nattered for a while before we skyped everyone back home as it was finally English Christmas time. We then relaxed on the sofa for a while playing a couple more games before heading to bed.

On Boxing Day (26th) Suze, Jordan, the boys, Jenny and Chris came round and we played games all day and then in the evening watched the film '127 hours' with cheese and crackers. On the Tuesday (27th) we went to a wildlife park with Suze and the boys and got to hold a Kuala and a Snake, and fed Kangaroo's, Camels and Emu's. We then headed to the worlds tallest rocking horse and had a picnic before climbing it. We then headed back and relaxed for a while before heading to the Cinema to see 'New Year Eve'. Unfortunately Suze had got the times muddled up with the following week so we headed back to hers for some fish and Chips before heading back to the cinema's 2 hours later. After the _______ movie we headed back. I will let you watch it and fill in the gap, me Jordan and Terry had to suffer it so don't see why you lot shouldn't as well.

On Wednesday (28th) we headed down to Victoria Harbour area with Terry, Cheryl and Suze, and had a lovely walk around the beach harbour areas around there. We walked over to a lovely little penguin island connected by a bridge and wondered around it, unfortunately we didn't see any penguins. We then headed to another little town and got some pasty's and cakes from a famous bakers in South Australia, mmmm very tasty. We then headed to some Rocks to see the sea crashing up against them which was cool. Then me, Rachel and Terry ran up some steps Rocky style, which was a big mistake as we got to the top and were nackered, plus Cheryl said she had forgot to push the record button on the video camera so we had to do it again. After wearing ourselves out we headed back and crashed out in front of the TV watching the film 'Still Crazy'.

Thursday (29th) - In the morning Graeme nipped to Foodland to get some bits for a curry we were going to cook that night while I relaxed. We then both popped into town to have a wander around the shops and look for a new rucksack for Graeme. We then got back to the house and started preparing the curry. We made a black spices and cashew nut one and the spinach and beef one mmm. Suze and Jordan came round to join us with Terry and Cheryl. As usual the curry took longer to make than expected hehe but we ended up eating it about 8 ish. It was a very nice evening.

Friday (30th) - We got up after another long lie in and headed to a local beach. We had a paddle in the nice warm sea, and watched a sea snail for a bit heading to the sea, then gave it a helping hand to save it from the seagulls. We then put our towels down and relaxed while reading our books. The wind picked up and sand and leaves bombarded us. After 10 minutes and us and our beach towels being covered in sand and a little mountain of sand forming around us we decided to get up and head away from the beach to a little grass area near the car park. We set up again and continued reading our books. We then had a little walk along the sea front and grabbed an ice cream and walked along the pier before headed back to the house. That evening we headed out with Terry, Cheryl, Suze and Jordan to the city and to an extremely tasty Chinese restaurant, with very friendly staff. We had a delicious meal sharing lots of different dishes, then headed to the Central Market. We pottered round the stalls picking up various bits and bobs then got to the two fruit and veg stalls. The guys at each stall were shouting out all sorts of offers competing with one another and Rachel managed to get some Banana's 1kg for 50c, not bad since when we arrived in Australia they were $15 a kg. Terry tried to join in with the market stall guys shouting '$1 for a hug', but unfortunately had no takers. We carried on shopping for a bit then headed back to the car. We headed to a mountain, which we drove up and got out and overlooked Adelaide, it was amazing to see the sparkling lights, it overlooked the whole city. We then headed back to relax a bit before bed.

Saturday (31st) - had a lie in then lazed around playing table tennis again and watching the film 'The Castle' - a hilarious Australian comedy. Then we headed to Glenelg beach for New Year. It was late afternoon when we arrived so we went for a walk through the little town first. We stopped off at a really nice frozen yoghurt shop where you first get to try the flavours before you buy. Then you get to fill your cup with your favourite flavours and lots of sweets mmm. We then went for an alcoholic beverage in a pub (our only one of the night as the beach was a dry zone!), and then grabbed some fish and chips and set out our blanket by a stage and ate our food. Soon a band came on stage singing some unusual songs, and Graeme soon realised that he knew them they were 'Peter Combe and the belly flop in a pizza' band. Apparently he'd listened to them as a child. We listened to them for a bit and soon realised that everyone around us was under 12! We then found a spot by the beach and watched the sun set over the sea. They soon had the first set of fireworks about half 9 which were impressive. We then had a little walk through the town again, and by this time it was packed, and then we found another spot to sit and played some cards. After a while we had front seats to some drama. A policeman came up to a kid lying on the floor near us. He was drunk and the police couldn't move him, so they called some paramedics to pick him up - made us feel like we were at home no different to New Year in England! It was soon then time for the midnight fireworks so we went back to the beach to see in the New Year. They were very good. After a 1 and a half-hour journey back stuck in traffic we made it home to bed.

Sunday (1st) - We had a long lie in then had chicken and chips for dinner and then played some more table tennis. We then watched the film 'The Blind Side' before heading to suze's for dinner. After dinner we played some board games and singstar on the wii.

Monday (2nd) - we spent the morning packing ready for the off the next day, then we played some games in the house with the boys. We then went to beach for a picnic dinner and a swim in the sea. We then said our final goodbyes to Suze, Jordan and the boys before heading back.