Greetings from me, Vinny, and Christmas cheer.

The festive vision has arrived. Its been sometime since we busy boys have blogged, so there are things to be covered. From Pimps and hoes, a traveling jockey, a new arrival and crickets pantomime villain swervin' Merv Hughes. Fun has been had and different styles of 'stationary' adventure attained. Mike is currently writing up on one of the best days we have had so far, the ashes day. You may have noticed, my companion isn't one to blow his on trumpet!!! but he does spend a lot of time trying. So I'll give him a hand. Conceived, arranged, umpired and MC'd by Mike it was a great day enjoyed by everyone, bar Pricilla the hostel cleaner who got a fright when she walked into the morning after bomb site, hats off to him.

First up I don't won't anyone from back home to worry that I'll spend time in this entry 'rubbing your face in' or even mentioning how cold and foggy it is going to be during your holiday period, and how beach bound and sun drenched it will be for us. It would be cowardly and cruel of me to give you mental imagery of us spending our 25th swimming and snorkeling on a beautiful island off the WA coast with friends eating and drinking to our hearts content. No Hat, Scarf or cagoule jibes in site. Trust in that.

Warning: If you couldn't careless about cricket avoid the next paragraph.

A great night had by 14 of the hostel faithful two days before the start of the third test at the WACA (Perth's Cricket Stadium). Which we don't talk about. It was the Aussie old boys versus England old boys in an eventful game of 20-20 cricket. A fantastic turn out saw some great action from the likes of Robin Smith, Ian Healy, Graeme Thope, Dennis Lillie ( who to much hilarity from a sides got Gatting out for a first ball duck ) Gladstone Small, and the afore mentioned baddy best 'tache in the business Merv Hughes who played up a treat for the crowd getting smashed all round the park and falling on his face in the field. The big mans's antics all helped by his recent appearance on Australia's celebrity fat guy show. John Embury showed how to do it with the ball 3 wickets for 20 runs off his 4 overs and Adam Hollioke finished the game in England's favour after 3 big sixes with 9 balls left.

The Old Firestation Backpackers is a fine ole gaff. Clean, enough space for storage, a quality kitchen area, pub games: Darts, Pool and Table Football, good social areas, fine staff and an eye for fun. So came the hostel Pimps and hoes party. Don't need to go to much into it as the pictures are fairly self explanatory. A good time had. Unfortunately no shots of Mike who was working and arrived long after my ability to use a camera left the building. But a shout out for the random guy in the blow up racing emu outfit who arrived into the hostel late that night and left early the next morning. Leaving all questioning who he was and most importantly what the hell is he doing traveling the world with such a piece of kit. Tooth brush, check. Towel, check. Giant bird with jockey legs inflatable with pump combo, check.

A few aniversaries and records have passed in recent weeks. Our six month traveling, Longest time in one place, longest time with out a job, longest days graft for Mike and on a soppy note first day in half a year us two fellows haven't seen each other. Although we couldn't last the whole day without contact so I gave him a romantic call. ' Mate, where are you ' ' f*** off, I'm working '.

As Mike mentioned our number has also swelled to three with the arrival of friend Tom Wood. Who flew in from Sydney last week. For how long and where to next we shall see..........

The story continues........