Welcome Back Party

Whilst a lot of you may have spent a quiet Australia day, others may have got into the Aussie spirit with a little more enthusiasm, I spent my night celebrating Elo's (and my) return to France. She had invited most of her friends and all of her family, so we had a group of about 86.

Robert and I had mixed 25 litres of Punch from his secret recipe, which ensured a good night was had by everyone. Sweet and Strong.

The troops at meal time.

Everyone was well behaved at the buffet.

Part of the nights entertainment was watching the Aussie find random towns in France. Like, Moncul, translation, Mybum.

This is what Elo thinks Kookaburras look like!!!!!!And no, she wasn't drinking the Punch.

She did however, hit a good note with her Didge.

I didn't come close to getting any notes right when given the Microphone.

This was our version of the Haka. You can tell who wears the pants?

If you can see, here is Elo's map of canada, a box.

Even though I've shown you Elo's horrible Kookaburra, laughable map of Canada and Un-Xavier Rudd like exhibition on the Didge, she did actually WIN the contest. So well done.

But the prize was a dance with the sexiest man in the room. But because he was still eating, I stepped in. Awwwwww.

And finally, Elo's grandparents showed us youngins how it should be done.

Beautiful.

PS: Evan, In case my patriotism for the best country in the world was challenged, I sang Waltzing Matilda (poorly) in front of everyone, and was ready, but didn't, to flash my Australian boxer shorts at anyone who suggested that I was beginning to turn French.

WELCOME BACK ELO.

My Love

I thought I'd take a moment to just express the way I feel about something in my life.

The woman that I fell in love with almost three years ago. You could say it was love at first sight, because within a few days of knowing her I felt like I wanted to be in her life forever. Her outlook on everything is so positive and refreshing that she lifts your spirits constantly. I feel happy just seeing her, and knowing that she loves me in return is the most outrageously blissful feeling. I don't express this level of joy often enough with her and it's something which I know she deserves to hear.
Her smile, kidness, loyalty, compassion, joy, energy, dedication, curiosity, sense of adventure and stubbornness mean that I have loved her for three years, love her with all my heart, and will continue loving her for all time.

So for the times when I don't quite tell you how I feel, have no doubt that I desire you every day, dream of you every night, and pray that we spend the rest of our lives together.

Elo, you are my angel, I need you, I want you and I love you for eternity.

Remember, stay on the RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I would like to introduce everyone to the new member of our family.


He's quite small, but quick, and goes by the name of, Snowy. Named after the faithful sidekick of Tintin. He's born in 2002, making him the newest car we've owned. Now that statistic isn't as impressive as it sounds when you think that he only has to beat my old '86 Laser, Elo's ancient Renault SuperCinq(197?) and the 26 year old home on wheels that is Margeurite.
So well done Snowy. We hope that you can provide us with as many safe journeys and adventures as your older brothers and sisters did.

At home in the driveway.
Peugeot 106, 1.5L Deisel.

Noel en France

Our arrival in France was unknown to all Elo's friends and family. Nat, was the first to find out because we had to call her from the airport in Nantes for a lift and a place to stay. Although she didn't have a car!!!!!It didn't take her long to find one and save us from the airport. Nat and Vince took us in for the night, and while their english is as terrible as my french, we had a lovely night.


Then to the real surprise. The family. We arrived at the corner of Elo's street and jumped out of the car with our Santa hats on. Then crept around the fence next door to Elo's house. We started for the front door when Elo saw the garage door open and her Dad,Robert, inside. So we looked away and sped up straight to the front door. Then without knocking, walked inside to give her mum, Cathy, a heart attack. There were a few yelps and a couple of tears, and then Robert entered from the back with a very puzzled look. He was very happy to see us but seemed to be trying to work out who the two idiots in Santa hats were skipping along his front yard. Mystery solved.


Elo's family have a long christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, and it was then, at 1900 when they were having an apperitive, that we had originally planned to arrive at the house. But, with our early arrival, there was time to talk to her parents, time to set two more places at the table, the opportunity to surprise her brother when he arrived, then her cousins, aunt and uncle, then finally her grandparents. So it worked out well all afternoon.


We later found out that when Elo and I had walked in to her parents house, her mum had just dialled the number for her sister Pascale, Elo's aunt. But with us walking in just then, hung up and forgot about it. This would have been fine, exept that Pascale had answered the phone and heard the noises of a person getting a huge surprise. Which to me sounded like someone having quite serious heart problems. Pascale had thought the same, and that the phone call had come from her mum, Elo's Grandma. So when Pascale tried to return the call and there was no answer she was obviously concerned. After a few attemps though, Pascale reached Grandma to find out her heart was just fine.

Left to right: Cathy, Steve, Lǽtitia, Pappy, Mammy, David, Jacky, Robert and Pascale.
My first christmas present in France. A Beach Fishing Rod.
The other opening presents.

Everyone had a great night. The family tradition is to open one set of presents before the start of dinner, eg, parents to children, then after the entree, children to parents and so forth.

So between the dozen courses and various combinations of present giving we started around 7pm and finished eating just before midnight!!!! So after coffee and a long game of cards, it was 5am by the time we went to bed. Alors!!!!!!!