The Arrival, or
How to spend Christmas in the middle of summer!

Well it wasn't that hard, even though it was a bit strange at first, especially when you got to hear reports from home, talking about -20 deg C, and 50 cm of snow, but I think I got into the christmas feeling eventually.


 

I saw this on the highway on our way from the airport, I'm still not sure what they are. Cool picture though.

Wiev of Melbourne from the highway.

Steve and Ulrika brought breakfast, wich we had on the bank of the Yarra, just by the Botanical Gardens.

Melbourne, theYarra and the gang!

Training on the river, and beside it.

We started our visit to Australia by building a barbecue, There were a lot of bricks to carry.

While I helped Steve with the barbie, Lotta and Ulrika went to get a christmas tree.

It has to stand up, off course...

...and it has to be dressed.

Our first dinner at the Steve and Ulrika Residence. Barbecue of course, what else?

We drove up to the Upper Yarra Reservoir park, and met up with Nick and Ann-Marie, we had some lunch and then we went on a walk on one of the trails.

Fern trees - Ormbunksträd

Very well-kept parks.

The big Waterwheel.

This is a typical... hmm... bird!

And here's another one.

Upper Yarra Reservoir

Always playing around!

Me, trying to get a photo from mt.Dandenong Obstervatory.

Here it is! Not, My photo skills was not enough, so I had to buy a postcard instead. But the view was the same!

A lot of christmas lights, the whole street was lit up like a X-mas tree. Can't tell? Well, you had to be there!

Lotta decided that since the time was after twelve at night, (12.03 am), it was officially christmas eve, and she could open her present from Stefan.

The girls preparing a grande christmas eve dinner.

Christmas dinner on the porch.

Jim, me, Ulrika, Lotta, Andy, Charisse and Joy.

After dinner and some wine and TV, we were dragged off, blindfolded, to a shopping mall! In the middle of the night! Normal? Think not.

Christmas day, starting off with a festive lunch at Joy and Jim's.

And then for the present openings! Hey, look, a birdfeeder. Great, Now the dogs can't get to the birdseed!

Beautiful birds outside, waiting impatiently for their new food station.

Talking to me...?

Steven James!