Parkes Elvis Festival

Duncs and I went on a road trip up to Parkes, New South Wales for their annual Elvis Festival. We entered ourselves in the parade, driving our 1969 car!Elvis and Priscilla (see, uh, because I have a veil on).

There were hundreds of "Elvises", including woman on stilts.

I drove in the parade--Duncan waved to his fans.

Pretty good 1970's Elvis impersonator.

Boxing Day Cricket

December 26th is Boxing Day in Australia (and all other commonwealth countries I believe), a national holiday. Boxing Day cricket is a great tradition in Melbourne at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). This year it was the Ashes test match. Every two years England and Australia play and the winner gets to keep some ancient ashes, I'm not sure of the whole story. This was day 1 of 5 (we only went to day 1), and the cricket lasts all day. They do take breaks for lunch and tea (hee, hee).

Me, in front of an Aussie cricket legend outside the MCG.

Christmas lunch

On Christmas we traveled to Duncan's parents' house outside of Melbourne for the day. They had quite a spread for lunch, including a Pavlova for dessert, a traditional Aussie/New Zealand dish, depending on who you ask. Duncan's parents carving the ham--we also had chicken, roast pork, and lots of great veg dishes.

Relaxing outside after lunch.

All the "kids": Warwick (Pru's husband), Penny (sister in from London), Pru (sister), Aaron (brother), Madeleine (Aaron's girlfriend), Duncs and Me. Sitting on Pru's lap is her and Warwick's boy and lone grandchild Gilby--he cleaned up with presents!

Pretty sunset.

A little preview . . .

Some of you may not be familiar with Duncan's penchant for dressing up as Elvis. We will be attending the Parks Elvis Festival in New South Wales in January, and Duncs had a chance to try out the costume at his friend Steve's 70's themed 40th birthday. Steve, Lea, and Duncan. Andy Warhol, Princes Leia, and Elvis, respectively.

Thanksgiving in Oz

I made an entire thanksgiving spread for Duncs and his parents . . . .

The really liked the pumpkin pie. They eat a lot of savory pumpkin here, but not in pie form. Of course they have all heard of it through the american TV they get here.

Our Christmas tree! Put up on December 4th .. . a little earlier than normal, but I think I will need some help getting in the holiday mood while it is 85 degrees out.

More lawn bowls

Duncan's dad and mom


Duncs' aunty with her granddaughter, and his nephew Gilby and brother-in-law, Warwick. Cousin Nadia and sister Pru in the background.

Duncan's 40th

We celebrated Duncan's 40th at our local lawn bowls club. They have leagues on Saturdays but most other days they are open to the public for barefoot bowls.

I am demonstrating how close I got! You roll out a little white ball, the jack, then try to get the black balls as close as possible.