Murrumbateman Christmas

There's a lot of worried, anxious people around Australia at the moment (with the exception of Scomo!!). There are no fires in Canberra yet but the big one burning near Braidwood has spread all the way north to Nowra (at least 80klms) and there is no end in sight with this and all the other fires across the land - and no rain on the radar either!

We've had the smoke from the Braidwood fire hovering over Canberra (on and off) for over two weeks. I took this pic at midday today - very similar to one I took at the same time about two and half weeks ago. Last Friday there were a few hours where we couldn't see any part of nearby Mt Ainslie at all because of the smoke.

 So this year our annual pre-Christmas celebration at Murrumbateman (last Saturday) had to take account of the (now usual) smoke haze AND a maximum temperature for that day of 40oC!!

I took this pic of the distant vineyards at Bush's Lane just as the sun (softened by smoke haze) was going down. The vines are the only green thing in this vista - in the worst drought in the region since anyone can remember.

 But the haze did give us some nice soft lighting for these beautiful pics of Maddie and Sophie in Jennie and Wayne's front garden (with Rob and me). 

 Lucky Rob!

 We coped very well with the heat - even with the air con going on the blink... but we enjoyed catching the cooling outside evening breeze when it started.

 I felt emotional taking this pic as we all knew who was missing on this lovely night!! But Maxie would have been proud of us all doing our best anyway!!

 Jennie and Wayne are always amazing hosts. They make the night very special, with a beautifully set table, fabulous wine and food and the warmth of their company. The Christmas crackers were very memorable this year. Jurgen and Rob really enjoyed playing to their audience with the contents of their crackers!

 Jennie had baked a whole salmon for main course - a stunning centrepiece for our special meal together.

 And to end off the meal Anke had done her usual run to Bowral to pick up one of the luscious chocolate cakes from the Gumtree Cafe.  Maddie did her usual great job of cutting and serving the cake.....

 We think it's getting close to 20 years since these pre-Christmas celebrations started at Jennie and Wayne's. Maddie, Sophie and Thomas weren't much bigger than toddlers when it all started. We're so lucky to be a part of this tradition - and long may it continue .........