Christmas 2014

fter a Concert on the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral here in Sydney, I was glad to be a guest at the party where the newly installed Archbishop of Sydney turned on the Christmas lights of the ‘projection show’ on the facade of the sandstone Cathedral. The illuminations included moving images depicting the 12 days of Christmas; the Joy of Giving; and many classic images depicting Madonna and Child.

The Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney spoke, as did the Premier of the State, who delivered a very ‘Christian’ speech. Good to hear a politician actually acknowledging the true meaning of Christmas so publicly – obviously a true believer!

atrick’s Vietnamese green papaya and green mango salad with fresh prawns and lychee for starters (and enough to satisfy me). But it’s Christmas, so a serve of stuffed turkey breast and slices from the leg of Calabrese ham had to follow.

Thank God for Julie Andrews and ‘Sound of Music’ in the evening as I managed to hand-wash everything in between snippets of the oft’ re-played movie, and seemingly hours of TV commercials! It took me two days however, to put everything back in its spot (for next year).

All I can see here is the 2-day hand washing-up ahead of me - but well worth it!

Red and Green was the order of the day

Calabrese Ham from Italian farmers in Western Australia

t the Midnight Mass, in a small gesture to express our solidarity with our fellow Christians of the Middle East, the liturgy commenced with an Arabic Christmas Carol (Byzantine Hymn of the Nativity). In this hauntingly beautiful carol sung in Arabic, we heard from the unheard voices of the Christians of the Middle East who have been witnessing to faith in the Saviour since His incarnation in their midst.

The church was decorated this year with a dozen Cypress Pines and beautiful flowers in yellow and white.

The church was decorated this year with a dozen Cypress Pines and beautiful flowers in yellow and white.

Refreshments to celebrate Christmas on the St Canice's Rooftop Garden after the Midnight Mass

After midnight - inspecting the tomatoes growing in the St Canice's Rooftop garden for asylum seekers

All manner of craft jostle for position as the competitors tack to get ready for the starting gun

25-year veteran of sailing on Sydney Harbour, friend, Capt George, placed us absolutely in the right position to get the best view of the start of the Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The sense of heightened expectation as we jostled for best vantage point and watched the competing yachts of all sizes tacking to get in place for the start was palpable.

At the sound of the starter’s gun and big super Maxis breaking away as swift as the wind, George skilfully manoeuvred his little ferry boat through the swells and frothy wake from the flotilla of other boats, all of us chasing the leaders down the harbour to the Heads where they all head out to sea – before turning south for Hobart, 627 miles away.

Surprisingly, it was all over in less than ten minutes, but worth the effort. Now back to serious imbibing and chicken salad.

Ruth, Jude, Mindy, Nephew Bill, Nephew Jon, and Uncle Michael

y eldest brother Tony and his wife Ruth are spending a few days in Sydney with their eldest son Bill’s family (Mindy and Jude), and here with me in my apartment as well. Also dropping in from Copenhagen is another son, and my nephew, Jonathan.

Modern day 'Madonna and Child' - Mindy and my grand nephew Jude, now almost 5 years-old

As in childhood days, we enjoyed Christmas leftovers of cold ham, turkey and lamb with salads (and of course Aussie summer essentials, beetroot and pineapple) for a post-Christmas lunch.

Tony, Ruth and Michael at Sydney's Circular Quay

Three Sydney icons - Michael, the Bridge and the Opera House

onderful to be out strolling with Tony and Ruth in the sunshine amongst so many agreeable young Australians taking in the sights of Sydney – many visiting for the New Year’s Fireworks tomorrow, and others to join the thousands of passengers on the Carnival cruise liner berthed right here at Circular Quay. I’m impressed at the number who come forward offering to take a group photo and how well they did it.

Also the throngs of Asian visitors of all ages and many Muslim families are a sign of the changing times with a resurgence of inbound tourists.
Tony enjoyed photographing around the Opera House before we took off through the Sydney Botanical Gardens and home via a stop for a cool ale at the Bourbon in Kings Cross.

Time out for a refreshing beer at the Bourbon after walking through the Sydney Botanical Gardens on the way home