Our Christmas Album
A dinner at the Wild Duck with our Domain Divas from our apartment building
Christmas drinks in our communal courtyard
A lovely lunch with friends in Bundanoon. Amanda and Colin have recently bought a holiday home backing on to a national park.
Dinner at Joy and Monty’s. Our first Christmas without our dear friend, Irene.
I sing with the DFAT choir. We’ve managed to meet through most of the Covid restrictions. We had enough of a repertoire for a short Christmas performance in the Department’s foyer one lunchtime.
Daily yoga
An exciting semester of local Spanish lessons and on-line learning- my special Covid isolation project.
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!
Every year I get a summer season pass to Manuka Pool, 5 minutes from our apartment and try to swim every day. It is heavenly!
For the past 12 years we have met with Helen and Graham Yapp, sharing stories of our walking adventures, after being brought together by the Society of St James in London when we first both planned to walk the Via Francigena, a part of the Canterbury to Rome pilgrimage. This year we shared a Thai meal. Earlier in the year in March we were invited to Graham’s 80th birthday celebrations.
The Covid virus reared its ugly head on 12th December in the Northern Beaches, where Nick and Kristie live. As luck would have it, Nick had taken the children to Perth to be with Kristie as it was the end of the school year. They escaped the lockdown in Sydney and decided to stay in the West until the crisis is over. Disappointing for us,as we were looking forward to being at the coast with them over the summer holidays. But obviously a happy compromise, as they have lots of support over there and their own apartment to stay in.
Luckily for us, we will still have the company of our other grandchildren during the summer restrictions.
Just to add another interesting dimension to our ever-changing Christmas plans we had two hospital admissions to enliven our week. I had cataract surgery in 22/12 - miraculously painless, efficient and effective. Then our little granddaughter, Indiana, just 11 weeks, was rushed to hospital with a bronchial virus and dehydration. Fortunately after 24 hours she was taken off oxygen and able to breathe independently and was discharged on Christmas Eve. Such a worrying few days. Her siblings were very brave and responsible and a delight to look after.
Midnight Christmas Eve service with a difference this year, observing all the Covid requirements. Pre-booking, social distancing, carol singing only by the choir, only bread at communion and no congregating at the end of the service.
Christmas lunch at a Sri Lankan restaurant for the Canberra-based family
Indiana’s first Christmas
Lots of communication with our extended family today - last year we were all together here. Hopefully, Sydney will be out of lockdown for the family party we are planning for Nana’s 90th birthday in February,
A very merry Christmas and happy New Year from all the Smiths!
M&M
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