December Wrap-Up

And we've reached the end of 2021! 

On one of our after dinner walks around our neighbourhood we saw these Christmas decorated houses near us.

Sunday 5th, we joined the yearly Christmas get-together with Portuguese friends at Point Walter Reserve.

The early birds got a great spot under a gigantic tree, which provided some coolness, even though it was a hot day.

Drove past the suburb of Applecross and the jacaranda trees were still in bloom. They are usually at their best in September. 

Friday 10th I met up with Grace at Ikea. We had a lovely chat over coffee/hot chocolate and cake, and then we walked through the shop and I found new lampshades to replace my old bedside ones, and a new one to replace my kitchen lights, which has yet to be installed. 

Sat 11th and Sunday 12th was a cool weekend, and Jose and I prepared and painted the badly peeling and ugly looking cement area next to the wooden patio. I was actually a quicker job than I had thought and will hopefully last a few years.

Monday 13th we were invited to dinner at the house of the President of the Codfish Academy to discuss possible events for 2022.

Thursday 16th - my last day at work, took 2 weeks leave until 4th January. Hurray!!

Sunday 19th - Coffee at Coffee Club with 2 of my colleagues - even on holidays I can't get away from them lol, then had dinner with some of the ladies of the "Buy nothing group" that I've become friends with at nearby pub - Last Local Canning Vale.

On my return we called our daughter to congratulate her and husband on their 3rd Wedding anniversary. A short while later the whole family  joined a Whatsapp call  to chat about our various Christmas plans. 

My daughter, me, my middle sister, my niece, other niece, my middle sister and parents were together

Friday 24th - Ever since moving to Australia I've organized Christmas Eve dinner at our place, and we've had from 30 people down to just 8 this Christmas!

I had planned on setting the table outdoors in the patio, but it was a very hot day  39C (102.2F) and the prediction was that it would still be 31C (87.8F) at 7pm, so I set the table indoors. 

For Christmas eve dinner I served Codfish with cream (Bacalhau com natas), roast meat, salad, potato salad, Chocolate mousse, rice pudding, Portuguese French toast with Port wine sauce (rabanadas), fruit salad and fruit cake. Two of the friends that attended brought the potato salad, salad and fruit salad.

Christmas decor at home

Christmas day, Saturday 25th -  we had a young couple and their 1 year old join us for lunch. Once again we didn't set foot outdoors as we had a 42C (107.6) day!!

Tuesday 28th - lunch at our friends W and L's house. With a 40C (104F) day, it was great that they have a pool, so we had an enjoyable afternoon just sitting in the pool and chatting.

During the Christmas period, we had a few days of scorching temperatures in Perth, last recorded 53 years ago! A lot of people went to the beach, but I couldn't face going out at all, so we watched lots of movies under the aircon.  Sadly the heat also "roasted" our tiny mangoes, and we were left with just 3 which were a bit bigger.

On Friday 31st, we opted to go to the city. Forest Place was full of food trucks, and we bought Korean and Malaysian food. Just before 9pm we walked to Yagan Square to watch the "baby" fireworks.

At 11pm we drove home and watched a replay of the last hour of the Sydney New Year's Eve concert with the famous fireworks display at midnight.

      After the fireworks we walked the Christmas lights trail, which I love.

St George's Cathedral light show

In Northbridge (just north of the city) there was a lot of street entertainment mainly aimed at the kids.

With the heat we started getting a visit from a Willie wagtail, who has taken up residence inside our covered patio sleeping on one of the wires of the patio lights. Clever guy! I wonder if he was part of the family that had a nest in our garden a few months ago...

With very few infections and only 9 deaths since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Western Australia has so far managed to avoid the outcome of most other countries and even the rest of Australia, but from the 24th December, Perth residents were requested to wear masks in public places, public transport, etc, until the 4th, which has now been extended for a few more days. Sadly a backpacker that came in from Queensland just before our border was again closed with them, because of their rising cases, was infected with the Delta variant.

He had been infectious in the community for a few days before he started feeling sick, and infections now stand at 21 people. An unrelated case of a quarantine hotel security guard has come up today (5th Jan) and he's infected with the Omicron variant. So far close contacts have tested negative, but there are still a few people to be tested...

There goes our carefree life 😔 It was bound to happen from the 5th of February, when we reach 90% double vaccination rate and our borders with the rest of Australia and the world are due to open then. I suppose it's time to learn how to live with it.

Wishing you all a wonderful, healthy and happy 2022!