Christmas in July

A warm Av-gas fragranced breeze caressed our nostrils as we alighted from Jetstar's luncheon flight to the Sunshine Coast. Ah, Queensland. Beautiful one day, perfect the next!.

Luggage loaded, Chris H piloted us through the most persistent series of roundabouts north of the border to Chris and Jenny's beautiful home at Sunshine Beach. Home to more celebrities than you can poke a stick at, Sunshine was to be our address for the next six days. Palms, parrots and Pandanus trees are a welcome change from fog and 8 degree maximum days. I would welcome any excuse to escape Canberra in July, and Jenny and Chris' invitation to visit fitted the bill. In addition, we had accepted a further invitation to Christmas in July at Michelle and Chris M's new abode at Peregian Springs. It would appear if you're male and Christened, chances are you will end up in Queensland.

A turkey, raised to feed a multitude, gobbled obligingly as we toasted each other with bubbly previously purchased in Duke Street. Sunshine Beach's shopping strip would do very well out of us in the following few days, with Tru and Pru's giftwares a constant source.

Some of the worst jokes ever written were contained within the beautifully presented bonbons that disgorged trinkets and paper hats under applied pressure. Not that we needed prompting with Chris and Andrew in top form and Michelle and Kate leading the singing. An effort was made at some stage to locate the rings of Saturn via telescope, however Chris M had difficulty finding the correct coordinates. I was having difficulty locating my napkin ring.

Michelle shooed me from the kitchen once again as she cling-wrapped the leftovers and foiled the turkey's attempt to escape (my picky fingers). Ding, dong! That will be Jenny and Chris H returning from a night at the theatre in Caloundra aka Fyshwick by the Sea. Would you care for a small slice of pecan pie, enquired Michelle? No thanks, Chris responded, I'd prefer a large one!

As we had a breakfast engagement some 10 hours hence, we bade Chris, Michelle, Kate and Andrew goodnight and headed Sunshine bound. See you at 10am!.