Solo flight again... me and 2 kids to Australia!! This one was an absolute breeze - a single leg, Shanghai to Sydney! And met by my very excited parents at Sydney Airport. We sat next to a Chinese Australian family who were doing the same trip, except 1 baby and 3 adults... the mum said to me that she felt a bit embarrassed that I was travelling on my own with 2, and she and her husband had thought they weren't capable of juggling their baby on their own, which was why her mother-in-law was travelling too! Why were we alone? Because flights were significantly cheaper if I left before school finished... so Mike joined us in Sydney 6 days later.
We had a terrific month staying by Coogee Beach with Mum and Dad. The break from the cold Shanghai winter was most appreciated too! Our week before Mike arrived was jam packed with activities - we went to Billy Kwong's for dinner (I must try and replicate a salt and pepper tofu dish), went out for my cousin's birthday overlooking Bondi Beach, had high tea at Bungalow 8, started Ellie on swimming lessons, and started catching up with friends.
Mike arrived and the whirlwind began - arranging Jamie's christening, visiting our apartment and attending to a number of business things. Mike also did a Final Cut Pro course for 3 days. I visited my old work, who have now moved into a flash new building - I thought it could be fun to work there (for about 2 days!).
Jamie's christening was perfect. We had it on the balcony at Coogee with about 30 friends. Super special was that my grandparents came up from Batemans Bay, to share in the ceremony. Also lovely, was friends came from the UK, Shanghai and Sydney, and also some brought new babies that we hadn't yet met!! Graham Long, the minister who married us and christened Ellie, again lead proceedings - and did a lovely and simple job. We feel so blessed to have him as part of our spiritual family.
Jamie's first Christmas was lovely with Mum and Dad. Ellie was well into understanding about being good for Santa and loved the presents under the tree and of course ripping them open!! Ellie was quite funny too, she was most adamant that Santa would be bringing her "a pushbike, a dog and a cat", and for Jamie - "something to throw on the floor".
After Christmas we headed down to Batemans Bay to go to Clarissa and Chris's wedding at Nelligen. Runnymede was stunning, and the wedding day was perfect. I particularly loved the boat cruise from Batemans Bay to Nelligen, looking out at the Australian Bush - so different to the built up river banks in China. I took hundreds of photos, so I can remember the beauty of Australia, after taking it for granted for so many years.
It was sad to leave Sydney to come home to Shanghai again. And in a month there, it was also surprising that we still didn't quite manage to catch up with everyone, or spend quite enough time just relaxing on my beach. But it was also nice to come back to where we currently hang our hat and get back into some form of routine!
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