CELEBRATING NEW YEAR'S EVE

Having survived the Christmas festivities, the next thing to look forward to is New Years eve and how to spend it.

Our plan is a simple one. In the afternoon Lyn and I, together with with friends Robyn and John, will be training it to Flinders St Station, from where we plan on heading to Docklands for a look around, then on to Waterfront City/New Quay and maybe a ride on the Southern Star Observation Wheel, which rises 38 storeys from the ground.

The $40 million Southern Star Observation Wheel based on the hugely successful London Eye, is a giant ferris wheel, the second of its kind and 3rd highest in the world. It is 100 metres in diameter, featuring 21 airconditioned and enclosed glass cabins that showcase views stretching as far as Geelong. Whilst the cabins are similar in design to the London Eye, the Southern Star Observation Wheel features a unique state-of-the-art star-like structure whereas the wheel of the London Eye is similar to a bicycle wheel with spokes.

Having done that we will probably play the tourist and catch the,
City Circle Tram, followed by a coffee in one of Melbourne's trendy laneway cafes, take in a late afternoon movie and wend our way to the Golden Orchid in Chinatown, our favourite Chinese Restaurant which makes the absolute best satay's that one could ever want.

After that we will walk to Flinders St Station/Federation Square,
which will host a carnival, including swing and jazz ensembles and circus performers, until it is time for the 9.15pm family fireworks display. We will then catch the train home and hit the sack before midnight after what will have been a full day, in readiness for what brings with it.

We hope that will be good health and happiness, which is exactly what we wish for you and yours in 2009.

CHRISTMAS DAY 2008

For the very first time that I can remember in all of my seventy one years, there will only be the two of us for Christmas lunch and one, (guess which), is a virtual non drinker.

We generally have Christmas lunch with Carolyn, Brandt, Tom and Joe, but as it is Carolyn's turn this year to cook lunch for Brandt's family, we will be with them for Christmas dinner.

Before doing so we will visit my brother Brian and Betty and family early afternoon, as is our usual custom on Christmas Day.

Anthony, Megan, Nick and baby Tim are spending Christmas with Megan's family at Palmwood

on the Sunshine Coast, a particularly nice part of Australia and we will of course miss them.

They were with us in Hampton last Christmas and hopefully will be again next year.

Julie, Justin, Georgina and Susannah are likewise away from home spending their Christmas at Peterborough, where they have a holiday home not far from the Twelve Apostles and we will of course miss them too.

We were at Julie and Justins for Christmas lunch last year along with Anthony, Megan, Nick and had a lovely day.

How could you not when you are with your family and grandchildren who we just love spending time with.

The problem however is that they are growing up too fast for our liking.

Tom, (big Tom), will be sixteen in January and is taller than his father.

His big love is cycling and thinks nothing of joining "the pack" on Beach Road for a 70-80km

ride to the Peninsula and back.

However having recently "discovered" track riding, he has now added that to his list of interests.

Joe who will be thirteen on February 13 and doubles as my IT expert, also likes cycling,

although he is not as much in to yet as yet as big brother Tom.

Georgina who will be ten in March and Susannah who turned six on December 12,

are just the most beautiful little girls and are a real delight to both Lyn and I.

They are spending the holidays, (about a month), at Peterborough and will no doubt enjoy the time spent at the beach.

As Nick who will be eight in February and Tim, one in March, live in Sydney

we don't unfortunately get to see as much as them as we would like to.

We speak regularly on the phone and communicate via the web cam, but there is nothing like being there with them in person.

Nick was very pleased when his new brother arrived earlier this year and loves playing

the big brother role, while Tim as one would expect is yet to make his mark.

We look forward to spending some quality time with both Tim and Nick when we go to Sydney sometime early in the New Year.

ST BEDE'S COLLEGE YEAR 7 PUBLIC SPEAKING AWARD

 Joe, our second grandchild/son,

has had a great first year at St Bede's College, Mentone,

taking out both the ACC College's and St Bede's College, 2008, Year 7, Public Speaking Award.

We were pleased to be able to attend two of Joe's Public Speaking nights,

(St Bede's and De La Salle College, Malvern),

when he gave an interesting talk on the Tour De France, prior to his impromptu speeches

to a large audience that included his "proud" grandparents. On ya Joe