25^th December 2016 North Coogee

Morning started with Eggs Benedict, tea and coffee. Phil then distributed the Christmas presents in penny numbers and these were duly opened. We were fortunate to be able to contact both Amanda, who had stayed up late in Chicago, and also the Cambridge fraternity on Skype to exchange Christmas greetings. Sam and Ben were in high spirits and had been up very early in the morning to open their stocking presents but were given strict instructions not to wake Barrie’s Mum.

Phil ready for action

... and Becks get ready for the beach

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Later we took a stroll down to the beach for a swim. There was quite a wind blowing so the sea was fairly rough but this didn’t discourage anyone and once in the water the temperature felt acceptable.

The boys get wet

The girls assembled the Pavlova to take to the Christmas dinner, which was being hosted by Bethan and her husband, chief cook, Nick, while her brother also called Nick entertained us all on the details of alcohol both wine and beers. Bethan’s parents were also present as were Bethan’s two daughters of 4 years and 12 weeks.

Pavlova

The secret Santa event was a great success and since no proper dice was available we used Phil’s mobile phone as a digital dice.  Within a few passages of the “dice” around the circle of nine adult participants all of the presents had been distributed. Then came the bit where by throwing a six one was able to swop a present previously allocated to someone else. This proceeded for 15 minutes when the time for swops ran out and each was left with the present in their possession.

Llewellyn, Nick, Bethan, Becks & Phil