Yes, you’re right, that is a bit warm. In spite of that, everyone's been preparing for Christmas in their own way. Down in Sydney, of course, they've been fighting on the beaches, which confirms a number of widely-held views - that the cities are smelly, dirty and over-crowded and to be avoided (widely held in the country areas); that if you think it's violent in the cities, you should try living in the country (widely held in the cities); that there is underlying racism in Australian society (widely held in liberal circles); that immigration poses a threat to the Australian way of life (widely-held in il-liberal circles); that kids are just not brought up properly these days and should just behave themselves; that this sort of thing has been going on for years, since the surfer-biker clashes of I can't remember when. So there's something in it for everyone, which is exactly what Christmas is about.The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has spent a small fortune (it only has a small fortune) on BBC programmes, though I'm glad to say that, in a highly unusual move (because nothing good comes out of New Zealand, apparently) it has also bought a stunningly un-PC school comedy from New Zealand called Seven Periods With Mr Gormsby. Those of you accustomed to all the pussy-footing around the Welsh language will instantly identify with the depiction of the Maori language but it gets worse (or better), I promise you.
I have been discussing the surf forecast with Dave the Park Ranger over the vegetables in Woolworths (that's a supermarket here) It wasn't something I'd have seen myself doing a couple of years ago. To see how seriously it's taken just visit Swellnet I'm afraid the forecast is not good. I've also bought some Roquefort.
Sara has been worrying about whether the rest of the food has been bought, which is far more constructive, of course, and made this splendid Christmas tree from a stray stick. It's a good job one of us is practical.
