Home Sweet Home

Aahh, 3 weeks at home over Christmas was fantastic. I hadn't had a proper holiday since May this year as I was saving all of my annual leave up for my trip home at Christmas, so when it finally came around, I felt like I really deserved it!

With Rob no longer living in Brisbane, Laura and Barry were my generous hosts while I stayed in town. They live in Norman Park so I ended up seeing a whole new part of Brisbane. It made for quite a different visit home. I skipped my usual haunts in Toowong and Paddington and found a few new ones. 

Perfectly timed, I made it to my god-daughter's first birthday party in Toowomba and then ended my trip back in town spending a few days with Mum at home.

In between was a visit to Sydney and the Hunter Valley for a 3 day extravaganza to celebrate Dave & Piero's wedding. We tasted wine at lots of the nearby vineyards, swam in the pool, and BBQd. The wedding itself was beautiful - a pretty outdoor setting, champagne and oysters, and an excellent restaurant for dinner. The rum punch cocktail Jayde and I made for the competition the next day was even a roaring success. My favourite thing of all though was having so many friends together again.

With celebration #1 complete, I made my way directly to Noosa for celebration #2. A week of relaxing beach time for Christmas with Mum and Rob. One of the absolute highlights of my holiday. We stayed in a lovely apartment in Little Cove, went for walks, swam every day, and ate a lot of leg ham.

I got to see lots of good friends while I was at home and spend some time together - Lou & AJ, Alana & Jules, Dunja, Belinda, Aleta & the fam, Lisa, Pauline, Scott & Jason, Em Hartley and of course Laura & Barry. Once a year isn't enough.

Sunset on day #1

Day #2  fresh mango and a hammock

A peek of Brissie skyline

Bondi

Dinner at Alpha

Icebergs

So busy talking we forgot to see the rooftop view of the harbour bridge

Fritters at Bill's

Peppers Convent

Wine tasting

Me and the handsome grooms

Together again!

Gorgeous Lou

My vantage point

Bosom buddies

Rendezvous in London, then the Hunter!

My view for the week

One of my favourite places

Rob and I at main beach

Starting the day properly

Followed by a swim

Christmas feast

Scattergories at cocktail hour

Lunch and cocktails with Dunja

Tea Tree bay

Brunch

Boxing day lunch

Split time

And choc paddle pops

New Year's eve

Cocktail hour in the garden