Chill In The Lower Back

Merry Christmas !

We hope that you have all past of good celebrations of Christmas in family.

For us this year was about Townsville and family somehow.
Short of returning to France we took 2 days vacation and book airline tickets to spend 5 days at Sue and David - a couple of Townsville in Australia on which we spent a few days during our trip and with whom we roach very regular contact.

23 to Thursday morning we took the plane and arrived around 11:30 after a flight full of turbulence in the famous Tropical Queensland! At this time of year is the rainy season, we do not really know what kind of climate and many days after you learn fast: in summary it is hot and stuffy even it rains all the time. Arriving
we also found their daughter Gemma aged 18 we already know and have met other children: Monica and Michael 25years 22years.
program during the few days was just watching the clearing for a walk!
Thursday late afternoon so we took advantage of a lull for a walk on the Strand and take an ice. Unfortunately the view was very foggy and it gave heat and AC:













Friday 24 was actually the day before Christmas but in Australia it is less important than the Christmas Day and to our surprise we learned after 25 years of cohabitation Sue and David were expected at the courthouse for their wedding!

Although for them it was just a formality we were thrilled to be there to celebrate with them and in the absence of Michael that day I even signed as witness.




For Christmas Eve, my mission was to cook simple things for a meal together for them even though Christmas Eve is not important.
the menu:
- mango cocktail (prepared by Sue) and glasses of lawyer / ricotta / tomato / salmon
- foie gras from France sent (by the parents of Cyril) and toasted bread
- arugula salad with slices apples to orange and little balls of cheese: Feta and ricotta
- barbecued lamb by David
- pie banana / chocolate and vanilla ice



Saturday 25 Christmas Day was different from what we used to.
The important thing was to get together and have a good time, so we started with a huge breakfast dej 'to 10h: fruit salad, pancakes, toast, juice squeezed ... by planning to make Christmas dinner to 14h ;-) The gifts were not a requirement and it was a lot of things handmade, green or chocolate, we loved the idea.
The meal was also very relaxed and we appreciated the fact that everyone get their hands on the dough: Cyril was the cocktails, I made the quiche as an appetizer, Monica cooked duck and vegetables, the sauce was Michael, Sue and the pavolva Gemma and David played the guitar and piano for motivation and good mood.

A second post on Townsville, the wet season and Magnetic Island soon ;-)