An oar-some adventure.

This morning we decided that a boat trip down the suburban waterways might be fun. On the way down to the Fairfield boathouse we stumbled upon this fabulous stone amphitheatre, built into the river bank. The acoustics were so great that if you stood in the central space and whispered something, you could be heard right from the top of the highest tier!

  

The boathouse looked as splendid as Nush and Popps remembered and in the glorious sunshine, the views were amazing.

Whilst we were waiting for our boat, Abigail was very busy feeding the local duck population.

Here's one very happy customer:

We managed to borrow some parasols for use on the boat because the sun was really fierce, and Granny and Nush sat at either end providing some shade. Everyone else took it in turns to row or cox the boat and it was really fun trying to avoid other boats, obstacles and overhanging willow branches. On the whole we were quite successful! 

After an hour out in the river we were sun-soaked and pretty weary so we disembarked and headed up to the boathouse for a late lunch.

It really didn't feel much like Christmas Eve as we know it. There were some decorations here and there, including the stocking spotted below, but it felt to us like just another summery day.

 

When we arrived back at Auntie Anna and Uncle Jack's place though, Christmas preparations were well underway. Fishes had been cooked, the turkey stuffing was in the fridge and there was considerable activity involving tables and chairs etc. It was cool-off time for the Plaut family and a long game of "splash Granny" ensued.

Whilst Louis and Abi enjoyed yummy chicken and chips with Granny and Popps, Nush and Josh drove into the city for drinks and dinner with cousin Ben and his Kate. We started off in their gorgeous apartment in the very hip North Melbourne, a stone's throw from the hospital where Josh used to work, then walked round the corner for a groovy pub dinner. Cousin Dan and Julia had arrived from Sydney earlier in the day so they came to join us for more drinks and a wicked card game called Wizard which Nush ever so nearly won, but then didn't even finish up second. Julia's win was of course much deserved.