Chortlepuss Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Anyone else feeling a little down as we approach Xmas? Just off the phone to my sister and mum who asked me 'what we were doing for Xmas' - I'd do anything to be there with my family and friends, having a good old chat and a blustery walk along Brighton seafront, popping into the pub for a glass of porter, catching up with mates for a gossip. I even miss the shops! .... After so many busy Christmases with parties, pubs and socialising in the UK I still can't get used to another Australian Xmas, just us - no one popping in for a chat or a drink, no one to visit.... I quite liked the fact that it was so low key when I arrived - and of course it's a lot less work as no one to cater for but it's a very lonely time of year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 sorry to hear that gal, cannot make you feel better as xmas this year has been good up to now and stratford is buzzing with people having a good time although I am working its a good laugh...:cute: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Anyone else feeling a little down as we approach Xmas? Just off the phone to my sister and mum who asked me 'what we were doing for Xmas' - I'd do anything to be there with my family and friends, having a good old chat and a blustery walk along Brighton seafront, popping into the pub for a glass of porter, catching up with mates for a gossip. I even miss the shops! .... After so many busy Christmases with parties, pubs and socialising in the UK I still can't get used to another Australian Xmas, just us - no one popping in for a chat or a drink, no one to visit.... I quite liked the fact that it was so low key when I arrived - and of course it's a lot less work as no one to cater for but it's a very lonely time of year! I do feel a bit sad that my family won't get to spend Christmas with the latest addition. But as it was my choice to move here, I just tell myself to get on with things! (I'm pretty hard on myself - it's the only way!!) But having said that, I don't have many friends in the UK any more, and I hate the cold, whereas now I've made more friends we've had a few baby Christmas things to do, and we're lucky to have OH's family here too. I think Christmas is a mixed emotion time of year - we spend a bit of time missing folks in Britain, and those who are no longer alive to join in, But for me, the religious significance of the season is something that always fills my heart with joy. Hope you feel a little better just for 'getting things off your chest'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Anyone else feeling a little down as we approach Xmas? Just off the phone to my sister and mum who asked me 'what we were doing for Xmas' - I'd do anything to be there with my family and friends, having a good old chat and a blustery walk along Brighton seafront, popping into the pub for a glass of porter, catching up with mates for a gossip. I even miss the shops! .... After so many busy Christmases with parties, pubs and socialising in the UK I still can't get used to another Australian Xmas, just us - no one popping in for a chat or a drink, no one to visit.... I quite liked the fact that it was so low key when I arrived - and of course it's a lot less work as no one to cater for but it's a very lonely time of year! ..........:hug:.......it's times like these that memories are strongest...... .........the good times become clearest...... ........and family are missed....... .........that's life...... .........,and all we can do is try make sure it's fullofasmany good memories as we can..... ..........this Christmas will be different...! ..........try and make it good..... ..........don't compare.... ..........be ause that's how we create negativity ime..... ...........holding one against the other..... ...........there will be just mechristmas day this year......a first for me... ...........but as I will be recovering from having a small surgery...... ............illprobably be glad of the peace.....! ...........and ill concentrate on that...! ...........Christmas for me is when most of the family I have herearntworjing...... ...........I've done this years christmasparty...... .............moments of time....! .............regardless of the event.....are what makes memories.... .............choose to enjoy them all......for what they are.......not what their not.... ............merrychristmasto you and yours......X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docboat Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Carols by Candlelight yesterday evening in Perth - wonderful event with friends in the Supreme Court gardens. 6,000 or so attended, and they hoped to raise $1m for charity. We had friends down from Hong Kong, as well as from Perth, so we settled in on our chairs, opened the picnic basket(s) and enjoyed the atmosphere. Surfing school for the children. Planning a feast - lots of Asian food, a little alcohol (maybe a drop more than little) - bliss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Anyone one their own is welcome to come to mine as I'll be on my own also..................pork, ham, prawns garlic cheesy spuds and my other usual side dishes served around 7pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helz980 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Totally agree with you chortlepuss!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 A lot of people don't like Christmas, I see and hear this when we ring round our local older residents at this time of year. The lead up to Christmas is crazy though - all the break up dos etc- this year there has been 8 of them for me which gets a bit much( though it is lovely to see people). Guess a happy medium would be good. This year, for the first time ever, we are not going to a New Year party. Partly because I am sick of hosting them and no other silly b would take on the job! Probably very good for the liver at least! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Anyone one their own is welcome to come to mine as I'll be on my own also..................pork, ham, prawns garlic cheesy spuds and my other usual side dishes served around 7pm .........:hug:......what a wonderful gesture......! ........such kindness...... ........but tomorrow I go in for a hole to be cut in my gum..... ,.......to fish out the piece of tooth root from my sinus.....:eek: ........and know I'm on puréed for about a week....! .......don't think ill be ok in just a day between tbh,.....though would of been honoured to share your Christmas feast.... ........enjoy your day......and I do hope you share it with someone.......X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacaranda Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Its completely normal to feel like that Chortle!Xmas is "supposed" to be for families and friends to be together.This year we are on our own for the first time.We had decided to help out in town with a Xmas dinner for those older people also alone but too many people volunteered,so now we're on the Boxing Day rota!lol So initially I felt kind of sad about having no kids around,but.....its going to be ok.On the positive side,no added stress of cooking for other people,no added mess to clean up,and we have the freedom of being able to do what we want,and when we want. We're going to open presents whilst still in bed,nice cafetiere of coffee,get up later than we normally would,abit of housework,head out for a walk over the hills for an hour,a few phone calls,lunch around 2pm (ish),maybe crank the stereo up after and jump around the loungeroom for an hour with a glass or 2 of bubbly,then head into town for a quiet drink. Have a lovely Xmas hon.Don't think about what could of been.Just focus on the actual day itself.xxxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 .........:hug:......what a wonderful gesture......!........such kindness...... ........but tomorrow I go in for a hole to be cut in my gum..... ,.......to fish out the piece of tooth root from my sinus.....:eek: ........and know I'm on puréed for about a week....! .......don't think ill be ok in just a day between tbh,.....though would of been honoured to share your Christmas feast.... ........enjoy your day......and I do hope you share it with someone.......X ..................Good luck with it Tink ..................You'll be right:hug: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 ..................Good luck with it Tink..................You'll be right:hug: ..........thank you.........! ..........only nervous because its my head....lol...! .........enjoy Christmas Day....... ..........and sometimes.............your own company is the best....!......ime....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Anyone else feeling a little down as we approach Xmas? Just off the phone to my sister and mum who asked me 'what we were doing for Xmas' - I'd do anything to be there with my family and friends, having a good old chat and a blustery walk along Brighton seafront, popping into the pub for a glass of porter, catching up with mates for a gossip. I even miss the shops! .... After so many busy Christmases with parties, pubs and socialising in the UK I still can't get used to another Australian Xmas, just us - no one popping in for a chat or a drink, no one to visit.... I quite liked the fact that it was so low key when I arrived - and of course it's a lot less work as no one to cater for but it's a very lonely time of year! I'm in completely the opposite position right now - I'm fed up with all the family Christmases and have opted instead for a quite Christmas at home this year. It's just going to be me, my OH, the kids and my mother in law this year. I get to decide what we have for lunch and the only thing being forced on me is some extra ham my MIL is insisting on bringing. Next year though I want to go back to the UK and have xmas with my family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Anyone one their own is welcome to come to mine as I'll be on my own also..................pork, ham, prawns garlic cheesy spuds and my other usual side dishes served around 7pm Actually sounds really good !.... I'd be tempted but your profile pic is a bit scary, think its the rolling eyes:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 .........:hug:......what a wonderful gesture......!........such kindness...... ........but tomorrow I go in for a hole to be cut in my gum..... ,.......to fish out the piece of tooth root from my sinus.....:eek: ........and know I'm on puréed for about a week....! .......don't think ill be ok in just a day between tbh,.....though would of been honoured to share your Christmas feast.... ........enjoy your day......and I do hope you share it with someone.......X snapped a piece of my back tooth off last week tink ....phoned the dentists ...in the next day .......repaired , scale and polish £50 .....thats one of the advantages of being here...it would cost a damn sight more in oz ........i stood waiting for the doctors to open the other week ...if you turn up at 8 , you get straight in ......she was having a moan about £8 for prescriptions ....i soon put her straight , about how lucky she was to have the service that we have in the u.k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Anyone else feeling a little down as we approach Xmas? Just off the phone to my sister and mum who asked me 'what we were doing for Xmas' - I'd do anything to be there with my family and friends, having a good old chat and a blustery walk along Brighton seafront, popping into the pub for a glass of porter, catching up with mates for a gossip. I even miss the shops! .... After so many busy Christmases with parties, pubs and socialising in the UK I still can't get used to another Australian Xmas, just us - no one popping in for a chat or a drink, no one to visit.... I quite liked the fact that it was so low key when I arrived - and of course it's a lot less work as no one to cater for but it's a very lonely time of year! Iam afraid i get lumbered .....drive mom ...drive this elderly one and that one .....so xmas day is alcohol free ........boxing day will be the start for me .......my local is 300 yds away , and its a decent pub .....the craic and banter will be good ......family is a duty , its something i have to do . xmas dinner is usually top drawer , the sister in law is a cook and has a real eye for detail with the food and the decorations ....she takes 12 hours to do the bloody tree .....we will have the christmas fragrances everywhere ....carols on ...... The bit i hate though , is trying to look happy and suprised after i have opened that **** present i didnt want or need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 snapped a piece of my back tooth off last week tink ....phoned the dentists ...in the next day .......repaired , scale and polish £50 .....thats one of the advantages of being here...it would cost a damn sight more in oz ........i stood waiting for the doctors to open the other week ...if you turn up at 8 , you get straight in ......she was having a moan about £8 for prescriptions ....i soon put her straight , about how lucky she was to have the service that we have in the u.k I need to move where you live then. I wait almost 2 weeks for a doctors appointment most of the time. Don't usually wait long for dentist though, find getting appointments there fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 .......I went to an emergency dentist to start with...... ........had an infected tooth .......chose rxtraction .....cheaper than root canal..... ......,just 455:00 dollars! ....,.,,due to not only snapping root off......but it protruding into sinus....... .........was offered free fix if I had it done under gas and air....... .........X-rays and c t scan skater ........original extraction done on 17 of last month,,,,, .......,.told it was now a necessary general anaesthetic .........900 dollars 4 hospital bed....... Then anaesthetist .........chose public system and Tbf im in tomorrow....... .........,audit will be free......... ..........it's been a painful wait........but dental care here is very expensive...... ..........I'm lucky in a way it all went pear shaped ......... ..........and I'm having to be treated as a need it now lol...... ...........whenthedentists have rooms........you know it's going to be pensive ......,.,,,sorry on phone and rulings a real challenge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1977 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Anyone else feeling a little down as we approach Xmas? Just off the phone to my sister and mum who asked me 'what we were doing for Xmas' - I'd do anything to be there with my family and friends, having a good old chat and a blustery walk along Brighton seafront, popping into the pub for a glass of porter, catching up with mates for a gossip. I even miss the shops! .... After so many busy Christmases with parties, pubs and socialising in the UK I still can't get used to another Australian Xmas, just us - no one popping in for a chat or a drink, no one to visit.... I quite liked the fact that it was so low key when I arrived - and of course it's a lot less work as no one to cater for but it's a very lonely time of year! I fancy the london / brighton bike ride in 2016.. Ever done it..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortlepuss Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 I fancy the london / brighton bike ride in 2016.. Ever done it..? Never done it but know a few who have. It would be a brilliant thing to do. Hopefully back in UK in 2016 so could come to cheer you on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcorners Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 This will be our last Christmas in Australia. Most of our friends are having family Christmasses or are back in the UK themselves on holiday. So we thought it would be pretty quiet just us 3. Then at the weekend we got an invite from some other friends and there will now be 6 adults, 3 kids, we are taking a prawn starter and a black forest cake which I have to make tomorrow. Should be a lovely day and thankfully not too hot (28C forecast). They're not close close friends but have been ever so kind in the past, brought us meals when our LO was born and we've helped them collect fire wood. Whilst it wasn't our baby's first Christmas back home with all our family, I'm sure it will form some lovely memories for us to take away with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Tehehe - I decided to make Christmas crackers, for all 18 attendees at bro-in-law's - turns out we've lost 2 but gained 2, after I'd finished the last of them last night!! So now I have two more to make! They'll feel bad when they see that they're all personalised!!:biglaugh: I really don't mind, though - I love Christmas, and I quite like coming up with small presents for everyone. Mind you, I have to admit my personal favourite is the monkey wrist wrattle I stuffed into Baby Little's cracker. :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Agatha Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 It's our last Christmas (and our last 38 days!) in Australia and I love Christmas so I think this will be a special one. Lots of friends coming to see us over the festive period as we're all aware we're running out of time to spend together. I have a last minute dash to buy chestnut puree today (for the stuffing) and then we're all set! Sending happy thoughts to those struggling with Christmas, it can be a difficult time if you're longing to be somewhere, or with someone, else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 We are rather ho hum about Christmas. We were supposed to be back in the UK for it but the dreaded cancer got me and i can't travel. So we are stuck here in Australia. We have extras for lunch as it's turned out. We have several overseas back packers working on the vineyard at the moment so we've invited all of them for lunch(something i usually do if we are here for Christmas). We have two Italians, two Irish, two English and a couple of Estonians plus our son, his girlfriend (Sri Lankan girl) our daughter and my partners mother. Not sure what they'll all make of our English/Australian style Christmas but we do our best to make them all enjoy the day. Merry Christmas to you all.x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chutneymary Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Ahh Understand how you are feeling. We have just had our 5th Christmas on our own and what a quiet time it has been. It's the worst time for missing family and home. I try and rationalise it and hope that the down feeling soon passes. Defo missing parties and pubs and family. Merry Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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