Happy Christmas readers. We've had a brilliant few days, definitely a Christmas we're not going to forget. Its all been a bit surreal and it hasn't felt particularly Christmassy, its really just been one massive party. The strangeness started on Christmas Eve, Gem was working and I was planning on having an early night, honestly! But that plan went out the window because a couple called Jed and Amelia that we had met in Fiji who live in Melbourne invited me to their house for a meal. It seemed like a good offer so off I went. 2 hours and several beers later I found myself sat there in a vibrating massage chair watching the Christmas special of the Royle Family, how bizarre is that. We then headed out to their local pub and from that point onwards the night becomes a bit blurry. I definitely remember being given a cowboy hat and being told not to take it off and I also remember going to see Gem in her pub and taking part in a pool competition with a group of Japanese people. Fun times!

Christmas Day started with a sore head for me but Gem was so happy and smiley that I soon forgot about my head. We opened our presents under the tree in our room. Gem got me loads of stuff including some much needed new boxer shorts and a body board. The body board is brill but I'm not sure if it will fit in my backpack. I got Gem a few bit and bobs such as that hat she is wearing in the picture and that bracelet that she is wearing in the picture and a headscarf that she isn't wearing in the picture. Once the presents were opened we went down to the bar and opened our secret santa presents with a group of friends from the hostel. Gem was delighted with fairy wings that she got, I was just confused by the tiger mask and pencil that I got. I've since been informed that tigers are my favourite animal, its news to me. The plan for Christmas Day had been to go down to the beach but the torrential rain and hail...yes hail put a stop to that so we decided to BBQ in the hostel. It was a top day and an unbelievable amount of booze was consumed. Then at about 8ish we went to Pugg Mahones (the pub where I work) to continue the party. It was a great night but the highlight has to be when our friend Jo collapsed in the pub. I know that sounds cruel but it turns out that its a regular occurence and its not dangerous as she has a mild form of narcolepsy. What a funny thing to have, she collapsed another 5 or 6 times before giving up and going home. Narcolepsy has overtaken tourettes as my new favourite disorder.

Boxing Day started with another hangover but we had to be up early because we were checking out of the hostel and into our apartment. We've discovered that moving house with a sore head is not a nice thing but we battled through. Gem then had to go to work and I pottered the apartment. I then headed down to the Boxing Day sales and picked up a brilliant digital camera, that was fun.

That's about all for now, Gems gone shopping so I need to go and retrieve her. Think we might be heading down the Great Ocean Road for New Years Eve which would be fairly spectacular. Thankyou to everyone who has sent text messages and emails to us wishing us a merry christmas. Its made us feel really good and it means a lot to us. By the way if you do send a text message please can you include your name as we don't have many numbers on our Oz mobile so we're never sure who there from... thankyou!!!! Hope everyone has a great New Year. Love Phil and Gem xxx