We have had a really busy time since we arrived in Toowoomba. We have bought a caravan and helped to built a huge pergola. We looked at lots of caravans, some were nicer than the others. In the end we bought one which was only a year old but hadn’t been used on the road at all. It has had two owners, the first one took it home and it didn’t fit in the garage so they sold it. The second owners bought it slept in it once or twice and that was it. They had not used the toilet or shower!!! It was completely empty so Veronica and I went to the second hand shop and kitted the caravan out. We got the bulk of the equipment for $42, we then had to buy sheets and other kit but got it all for under $250 which is really good. We brought it home on Saturday morning. Mick and Veronica live on the top of a hill and it has a hairpin bend so was a little hairy coming up here, but Bob is very good at driving it so we had no worries.

 

 

 

 

We then vacated Mick and Veronica’s bedroom which was good for them.

When we arrived at their house, they said that they were having concrete laid the next day, not realising that we were going to help make the pergola with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a huge structure, 5 metres high and it took 4 men to lift and build over three days. I think that is a great achievement for them to do it such a short time. It was extremely hot when they were building it, round about 30c +. It was finished on the day before Christmas Eve, so on Christmas Eve, we went into town to have our picture taken with Santa, a McKeon family tradition.

This year we were extra family members and also Rob (Veronica’s dad) was there as well. We then went for a Thai meal before going to the Church of Christ for a carol service. The carol service was more like a Christian concert, the church was huge and there about 500 people there. They also had a really good children’s part with a video all about the Angels, it was really funny but with a good message. After the service we came out to a huge thunderstorm. They do get quite a bit of rain, but it normally comes at night and it is short and sharp. Some months they don’t get any rain at all. All their water at the block is from the rain so we have to be very careful with it. We all got totally soaked getting back into the car – although the rain was very warm and you did dry very quickly. The children were extremely excited for the next day but did go to bed very well. Christmas morning came and by the time we had arisen then children had opened their stocking presents. We were joined by Judy and Narinda (Veronica’s aunt and uncle), Priska, Tony and their children Bella and Naomi, Rob and James (Veronica’s brother). We had a fantastic day, we had seafood for lunch (not a roast turkey in sight – only bush turkeys which didn’t want to be eaten for lunch).

 

 

 

We ended the day by playing taboo. A great day – completely different to anything we have at home except for the game playing!!! The evening finished off which another rain storm but no lightening this time!! We managed to speak to all the family on Christmas Day via facetime which was lovely as they seemed to be in the next room. The only problem was the time difference!! Boxing Day was spent with Veronica’s extended family just chilling round the pool and playing games. We also built a stairway up the back to the ledge where the caravan is currently positioned.

 

 

They stayed at the farm an extra day which was lovely to spend time with them.

 

 

 

We were introduced to the card game Canasta which even after multiple instructions we still hadn’t quite got the hang of it and left the Friths to battle it out between themselves. On Saturday the whole McKeon clan descended on the farm. I think that there were about 35 of us all together.

 

 

 

Today the weather changed the rains came in and the mist enveloped the whole veranda!! We had a lovely lunch all together then had a game of bingo which had some English prizes and then another ‘Secret Santa’. We were all given a number and you then chose a present from the pile or you could steal a present which had already been opened. It was great fun and lots of stealing took place! It is a McKeon tradition to have a water fight in the afternoon and not to be disappointed it took place in the mist and rain. About half the men/boys and a few women took part – it was full on and everyone ended up in the pool in their clothes!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the McKeon’s departed later that night and we were left with the Frith family at the farm. More games of canasta took place with us still not getting the game!!! We are now preparing to leave for our great trip round Australia on 2nd January. Our first port of call will be to Phil’s cousins (third or fourth) in Mullumbimby which is near to Byron Bay and then we will be heading down south to Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.