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If your goal is go get the most cars parked per square foot, then OK, otherwise I don’t think my son should park cars as a valet. Sorry son. (close ups)

Today I made lamingtons for morning tea.

These aren’t my lamingtons.  But mine were just as aesthetically pleasing!

So what does Australia day mean? It’s a nice public holiday. It’s also during a time of the year that usually means nice weather.  It’s also known as “Hottest 100 day” because the national radio station Triple J holds the countdown to their national poll of the 100 most popular songs of the year.  I also found out (after doing my research) that this is a relatively new holiday for Australians.  The day it self (26 January) is when Arthur Phillip landed in Sydney Cove in 1788, with the first 11 convict ships to set up the convict colony that was to become Sydney.

I personally don’t like the way that this day seems to only encompass British occupation of Australia.  I’d like to think that one day our national holiday will be assigned to another date in Australian history.

My suggestions are:

3 June

13 February

Does anyone know why I like these two days??

I’ll give a hint (if you want it) in the comments…

Because it wasn’t cold enough in Oxford, we went north to York for NYE 2009.  We purchased a hoard of fireworks, which Kate thoroughly enjoyed setting off out the back of Danielle and Roger’s house.  I had a big rocket which I set off.  I did like the instructions on the fireworks.

1. Set up in a safe area (away from houses and trees)

2. Light fuse

3. Retire 10-15 meters.

“RETIRE!”… I don’t think I’ve run so fast in a long while…

Fireworks stash

It also snowed on NYE which was lovely, so we walked into the Minster and hung out with all the other idiots who thought being out at midnight was a good idea.

We also went over to Leeds to see Dave, Rach, Archie and Ella.  Archie was very pre-occupied with a new DVD he got for Christmas featuring diggers.  I must admit, it’s good watching!

Some photos (click on the thumbnails)

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In true Australian style (and on Kate’s suggestion) I roasted our Christmas goose on Webster, my Webber BBQ.  Goose is a fatty bird, from our 4.2 kg bird, we got around 900 mL of goose fat.  Even with the fat used to roast the veggies, we still had 3 large jars full. I’m sure that fat will be used in the future.

The goose arrived in a box, following our “crack of dawn” Christmas Eve trip to the butcher.

Then onto the BBQ he/she went. This photo was taken through out back doors so excuse the reflection – I think Kate didn’t want to come out in the cold. Yes it was cold. Mighty cold.

I made a 3 short movies of setting up the BBQ. Here, here and here

There’s also some more photos.

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I saw an ad up at the local insurance place. It featured a little kid wearing a suit and trying to sell his toy cars. It’s part of a campaign from BCAA trying to sell life insurance.

It got my attention and made me think of the way our kid plays with cars. (More on that soon.) Also made me think of wills and life insurance. (Those are covered.)

Tiny Todd’s Auto – I have car that you like go vroom vroom

Here is a list of olympic venues that have free things… I’m going to have to check out that dutch one for sure…

as it’s a little bit cold in Oxford at the moment (read snowing…) we’ve headed south. to the south of spain. Malaga to be precise. thiis southern spanish port is known for many things, including a particular wine- but let it be said tthat wasnt the reason we came here.. i read it’s a region known for little rainfall- not that i mind the rain in Oxford. Anyway, i think this place is lovely. Everything is open late, and that suits our holiday timetabe! more to come (photos too)