Christmas in Sydney

It's not cold, frosty, raining or snowing it can't be Christmas!! Oh yeah, they have Xmas in the summer.. Wierd!!!
Having been on my travels for the past month I didn't feel at all Christmassy when I arrived back in Sydney.. There were decorations all over the place but it just didnt seem right. This was going to be a Christmas unlike any other I've had or will ever have..
Me and the Weeman had been invited to Etchell's family gathering for lunch and other festivities. After joining all our other friends for a few drinks 'out west' in Toongabbie on Christmas Eve we were lucky enough to be invited to stay at Lee's house. After a few drinks and some dunken antics on the walk home we went to be for a relatively early night. The next morning we woke up to be greeted with a lovely brekkie made by Lee's mum and a few festive drinks with Lee's dad (think it might have been a bit early for a whiskey!!).

Etch came to pick us up around midday and we headed to the fun house. The weather was very hot and we ended up sitting out by the pool drinking Boddington's (Etch's dad and uncle are from Manchester) and numerous other ice cold beers. Then it was inside for lunch. It was a little different from what we are used to back home as there was no sprouts or xmas pudding but i was a feast and went down very well..

Strike an Xmas pose (me, Etch and the Weeman)

Once we'd let our dinner go down it was into the front room for what I'm told is a family tradition. One of the family puts on the Santa claus outfit and gives out the pressies! Much to mine and the Weemans suprise we were not to be left out and we got to sit on Santa's lap as well..

The lovely Etchell ladies

When all the presents had been handed out it was outside for the 2nd, and most famous Etchell family tradition, Street Cricket!! Now I've kicked a football around with my bro in the freezing cold on Christmas day in our new football kits but this was a little different. To go with the ashes it was to be the aussies v england (and wales for the weeman).
Its was a amazing day and it was really nice to have been allowed to see how they celebrate a family Christmas down here. Apart from the weather, street cricket and being by the pool, it was not that different from back home (except it was Etch getting the piss taken out of him all the time, not ME!!)..

Time for bed!!

Christmas in Sydney

Sydney, Australia