Christmas 2006

I headed up to Cooroy on Christmas Eve looking forward to another fun Christmas at storm battered Booraloola - soaking up the sun, enjoying good food and spending time with family. Even though the storm had hit only a week before Des has done an amazing job with the clearing. You can actually drive up the driveway for a start!!! The pool is back to a normal colour and the piles of debris in the pool area has been cleared. What more do you need!!

Christmas Day was a surprisingly cool day. Mum and I got up early and went to give the cows their molasses treat on the RTV, accompanied by Ash of course!! Jeez, there are some aggressive cows down there!!! Mum is like a real farmer though, completely in control of those cows!

Toni and Shaun ventured up about 8 or so and we sat down to some present unwrapping. Toni had spent the year firing away a pile of gorgeous pots and plates and kitchen bowls so we all got some of the first Toni Park pottery creations. I have to say they are amazing and we were all very impressed. Mum and I spoke to Joshy and unwrapped his presents for us......as usual Johsy was VERY generous with Mum and I both getting a little Louis Vuitton treat and Mum a gorgeous Mont Blanc pen.

We fired up the BBQ at that point to start baking the ducks. Mum prepared to Coral Trout for us vegos and we sat down to a delicious lunch also consisting of home grown roasted veges. The meal was finished off with our favourite New Farm markets Christmas pudding and custard. All in attendance wore gorgeous crowns and told silly cracker jokes.....I think Shaun might have a career in writing those jokes. His answers were way better than the ones provided!!

Anyway, check out the pics from the day:

Lou and Ash with the tree

Shaun, Toni and Des

Toni, Des, Deb and Ray

Des with rubbber banded ears!

Toni, Shaun and Des

Ray, Deb and Lou

Boxing Day morning we headed down to the Noosa river with a picnic breakfast and the papers to relax.

Toni ready to eat

Des and Ray tucking in

Mum and Ash chilling out

Ash

When the storm hit.....

A massive storm hit Corooy on Saturday night. The security company rang to tell me the alarm had been set off so I drove up with Ash to check it out early Sunday morning as Mum and Des were still on the island. Driving through town it was like a mini torneado had struck. Trees down everywhere, roofs off, horses dead and so much more. Booraloola faired quite well compared to other houses but there will be a massive clean up for weeks to come. Thankfully none of the bedrooms were damaged so Christmas will go ahead as planned!! Whilst they do not fully convey the damage here are some photos.

The view out the front door

The gorgeous old gums on the driveway split in half

The green pool

Dinner with the girls

Dordie is back in town while Jimny gets repaired so we took the chance to have a catch up for dinner at Al's favourite, The Tibetian Kitchen. Paula is showing a small bump and is due in May next year (CONGRATULATIONS Paula!!).