My Birthday

Today was my birthday!

Presents

Thanks for everyone's emails, gifts and cards. I had a very relaxed day. I opened my presents from Julia: books, a beautiful fountain pen and a mug; and then Julia and I went for a walk round our area in the morning. We discovered more cafes, delis, a swimming pool and the stadium of the Essendon Bombers, the local AFL team (aussie rules football). AFL is mental. I'll give you a proper description at a later date. Now we're coming into summer it is the off season for AFL and the country is instead focused on cricket, soccer and tennis. I have a dilemma though. People keep asking me who I'm going to barrack for (support). Julia's family is divided between AFL teams Collingwood and Geelong. Each half of the family wants me to support their team. But I couldn't support one side without bringing down the wrath of the others. The obvious solution is for me to support my local team of Essendon, especially as their colours are red and black, the same as Dennis the Menace. But if I do this I will incur the wrath of both sides of the family! I will need to give this much thought.

In the afternoon the sun came out and I sat outside, reading my new books. We ate ice-cream and fresh juicy mango. Again it got so hot I had to run scampering to the shade. In the evening we went round to Paul and Simone's house for a BBQ. Nicole and Mark were there as well. It was fun hanging out with my Australian nieces, even if they do tend to follow me about copying my scottish accent (the words 'book', 'look' and 'Harry Potter' have been particular hits with them.)

Paul fired up the barbie and we ate sausages and steak and drank beer. I had a big chocolate cake which I shared with Maggie who turns 7 on Sunday. Every time I come to Australia I seem to eat and drink an inordinate amount and my waist line expands like a balloon. I'm going to have to find some exercise soon to keep me sprightly.

Julia, David, Emma, Maggie, Claire and Beth

So that was my birthday. A bit different to what I'm used to. I had a great day but believe it or not I miss my Scottish birthday. I miss the frost on the grass in the morning and it getting dark mid-afternoon. I miss the neds throwing fireworks in the middle of the night, I miss the drone of the football scores coming in before tea (East Fife 5 Forfar 4), I miss Halloween and Bonfire night and getting wrapped up in coats and scarves, I miss the first snow on the mountain tops and most of all I miss my family and friends. OK that was all a bit misty eyed and romantic and I'm in danger of becoming a  mad expat Scotsman who goes on about the glens and the lochs, but there is something special about this time of year in Scotland and I do miss it just a little bit.

To cheer myself up I'll just have to get out in the sun, top up my tan and crack open another beer.