Sydney December 2010: Botanic Gardens

Soren and cousins Otto and Esther went to a production of Charlie and Lola at the Opera House, and we all met up for lunch in the Botanic Gardens afterwards. The train ride into the city was quite a thrill for our boys.

Sydney December 2010: Family Time

Brave, brave man attempts the near impossible..

..success!

It was great to have a bit of time with Phil's Aunt Didi.
We stayed with Guin's sister Thomasin and family. They have a constant stream of wonderfully interesting and lovely friends flowing through their home, and we had a great time hanging out with them. This couple dropped in for a roast on their way to the airport. He had me in stitches the entire time, and turns out she's soon to be doing environmental work in Papua!
Card-playing is a long-standing Litchfield tradition. As is cake.

Sol travelled down to Sydney with Craig, Bella and MacKinlay for Christmas.

Chewing the fat over a cold beer.

Soren and Reuben had a great time decorating the (living) Christmas tree with Esther and Otto.



Bath time at Nana and Papa's house. It was very nice to not have to think about water contamination, or malaria/dengue mosquitos for three whole weeks!
Soren reconnecting over a story with Nana and Papa.

We celebrated Guin's mum's birthday while in Sydney.
Another cute one of Reuben and Phil for good measure.

Looking Back: Sydney Christmas 2010

Food and Gift-giving

It was so good to have so many of us together in one place, including the Senior Swans, John and Marg.

Cooking and eating in Sydney was like meeting up with lots of old, dear friends--all those ingredients and tastes I hadn't seen for a while.

Nic bought a gigantic fish for Christmas lunch, and there was some quick, last-minute internet research on how to cook the thing! The result was delicious.
Nic and Ben working on how to change the world.

Gift-giving was another focus point of the day; a way to celebrate together.









The ill-fated slinky.

Looking Back: Sydney Christmas 2010

Cousin Fun I know I'm showing very little restraint with the number of family Christmas pictures, but we don't get to see these people very often! Here Imogen looks like she's busy reciting Shakespeare amidst all the activity. Soren and Otto well and truly reconnected after a long separation. Down time. From left: Soren, Otto, Esther, Imogen, Reuben. Beautiful nieces and nephew: Imogen.. ..Paddy.. ..and Marlena with Aunty Sol. Arabella relished her chance to play big sister to cousin Esther.

Looking Back: Sydney Christmas 2010

Christmas night, McCallum Pool

Phil and I didn't actually join the others here on Christmas night, but this harbourside pool at Cremorne Point is one of my favourite spots in Sydney.

The view! Ahh, Sydney, how I miss you...

Three cute little cousins enjoying the evening picnic.

Looking Back: Sydney Christmas 2010

Portraits of a Family

Guin with her mum Kate and four siblings: Benjamin, Yvette, Thomasin and Solveig. The hippo is you Yvette (sorry, it was all I could find). We missed you and Bruce!

Litchfield/Andersons.

Litchfield-Clydes.

The Indooroopillys.

Craig and Bella.

Four Swans (plus one in hiding).

Gramma Kate with Bella and MacKinlay.