Boxing Day in Australia

It’s a legal holiday. Everything is closed. We did some phone calling early to send greetings to family. The big event today is the Sydney to Hobart sailboat race. It is an annual event and thousands of people watch the send off along the shores of the harbor.

We drove to the south head (the entrance to the harbor which is the world’s largest is tight compared to the total size). Driving there we went by Bondi Beach (my first time). It’s a very popular tourist area. We found a shady spot to plop down and waited for the starting canon. The crowds grew thick by the time of the race. Only about 57 boats actually compete in this dangerous race but hundred of other sailboats and power boats watched on. It’s a very beautiful sight to see, all that activity on the water.

Afterward Linda drove us back across the city and the Harbour Bridge. We were hungry and tired. It’s been a busy few days. Daniel and Martin both took naps after lunch. AD watched TV and then we swam. Ivor made up a delicious meal from the leftovers while we sat and talked with Linda. It’s been a quiet day which finished with some cards. Tomorrow I am making my mother’s Christmas meal for the family at AD’s request.

Dec. 27th - Last day in Sydney

This is our last day in Sydney with Linda & Co. Our computer work is done for the week’s transfer off to JW. The stores are open for the first time after the Christmas/Boxing Day holidays. We drove to Chatswood with Linda to return some wrong sizes and do the transfer. The northern trains aren’t running this weekend because of construction. Chatswood was jamming already at 10 AM. I went to the internet location and they went shopping. My transfers went quickly. This place has a fast connection. All afternoon we helped take down Christmas decorations and clean up the house. The Claydons are leaving for 3 weeks in the UK tomorrow. A gentleman from NZ is house sitting for them. It was a quiet day for everyone. We had to get packed up also, after 2 weeks in one spot. I made a number of my mother’s Christmas dinner dishes. (the green beans and a cream cheese jello) We had some ham from Christmas to finish up and potatoes. It turned out to be a very good meal. It’s been quite cool and cloudy, so no one swam.

We ended our evening on the porch talking it up one last night with Linda and Ivor. It could be a long time until we see them again unless they come our way or we meet up in Europe.

AD Journal

December 26th is Boxing Day, a national holiday in Australia. On this day we went to see a sail boat race that goes from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. It takes the big sail boats three days to cross the Tasmanian Sea and the smaller ones a week. In total there were 57 boats competing in the race. There were hundreds of boats on the water lining the shore and thousands of people on the banks. Seeing all of the boats on the water was cool.

Australia

Australia 2

Sydney, Australia

Dec. 26th - Boxing Day in Australia

Dec. 27th - Last day in Sydney

Australia