Sanna and I on Sunday hired 2 single sea kayaks each and paddled out to Shark Island in the middle of Sydney harbour from Rose Bay.

It took us 15 mins to paddle there. It was a bit choppy when some of the bigger boats and speed boats went past, you just have point into the bow wave and ride over them. I was more thinking of sharks and seeing the jellyfish in the water, Sanna called me a sissy.

On the island there is a small shelter with some tales in it, there is a public toilet and some small picnic tables scattered around that’s it. The view back to the city and the harbour was very nice.

The public toilet was opened sided and had arguably the world’s best most beautiful view from a public toilet, check it out:

OK I borrowed this photo, I didnt really take it

With all my direct family here visiting us in Sydney we celebrated NYE for 2012 together, Alex and Doris Mosburger from Austria also joined us.

I arranged tickets to the private party area called ‘Lawn with a view’ run by the Sydney Botanical Gardens which is right behind the Sydney Opera house, an excellent view and no queuing up.

You get a food and drink hamper, some live acoustic music while your waiting for the fireworks and a excellent view. I have been twice now and I would recommend it for your next Sydney NYE.

Here are some photos from our NYE.

Here is our view with the Sydney harbour bridge just to the left of the photo. Here Alex is on the phone probably to family back in Austria.

Here is our picnic to watch the fireworks

Here are Alex, Doris, Nicki and Michael enjoying the food hamper that you get for dinner. The food was good but the alcohol was expensive, but everywhere is on NYE.

I couldn’t take any photos of the fireworks with my iPhone as they wouldn’t come out very well, but they were very good as always, especially he ones off the bridge.

Here is a video of the area we watched the fireworks from.

The first timers seeing the fireworks Alex, Doris and Michael thought they were excellent. This time dad didn’t get his dinner stolen by a possum that came down the tree.

On new years day we invited everyone to ours for a cooked breakfast, cooked on our new Webber barbie. Everything came out well and the cracked eggs cooked in capsicum (peppers) an idea we stole, was a good one.

Everyone enjoying their cooked breakfast on new years day 2012 at ours watching Jack Johnson videos on the TV.

Here we are with all of Sannas family together for Christmas lunch in her mums back garden, we had Turkey, Ham roasted vegetables and of course lots of desert.

Sanna and I looking stupid at the table with our Christmas cracker hats on. Do you like Sannas moustache, she’s  areal Arab girl

Sannas amazing Christmas pudding she makes every year is always a highlight for desert. It is a normal Christmas pudding but with added apricots and chocolate chips, it’s amazing with Bandy and Vanilla custard. It was very popular with everyone as always.

After Christmas lunch we all went to Suzie and Daniels and went in their swimming pool as it was quite a warm day at 27 degree’s.

I got to play with all the kids new Transformers they got for Christmas. They are a lot bigger and more complicated to transform than the Transformers I had when I was a child..

I’m looking forwards to my family arriving in 2 days now and for spending some good times with them and for NYE celebration at Sydney harbour.

Here is also a short video of the Christmas Eve carols at Martin place hosted by the Salvation Army.

We bought our first ever barbie in Australia and I’ve lived here for 8 years now, terrible.

Chris and Josh on the barbie

Mr sing-along Turk having a go at Ice T

A short video showing Turk singing Ice T baby at our Christmas eve barbie, what a artist!

South African sausage (don’t know how you spell it but it starts with a B) on the Aussie barbie from Chris

Our lovely slightly leaning over wonky Christmas tree

Happy Christmas!

Chris and Christina’s rooftop with the view of the city

I just wanted  to share a barbie we went to on the roof of my mate Chris and Christina’s roof on the weekend. Lovely view of the city, lovely company and tip top food from Christina again like last year.

I wish I took a photo of the gorgeous glazed baked ham leg with the apricots, best thing I’ve eaten so far this Christmas season but I was too busy talking and drinking beers. Sanna’s Christmas mince pies with homemade sweet shortcrust were really great too and a hit with the guests.

Gingerbread house Christina made I thought looked great

A quick hello and to wish you a Merry Christmas to you and your family for 2011 and I hope you to have a great NYE for 2012 celebration!

I don’t have many plans over Christmas apart from a few barbies with friends around the city just before Christmas, and then Christmas day down in Wollongong with Sanna’s family.

Just after Christmas my family, Nicki, Michael, mum and dad and 2 of our Austrian friends Alex and Doris Mosburger all arrive to spend some weeks with us to celebrate new years eve in Sydney and to explore. 3 of our guests Michael, Alex and Doris have never been to Australia before so it will be great for them and to show them around!

I have also just heard word that the crazy Frenchman Damien aka SuperFrenchie and our best friend is hopefully coming to Australia in Jan/Feb to escape the troubles of Europe, the good times are ahead!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Attending the staff Christmas party hence the bandana, on Luna Parks Tumble Bug ride.

On a test drive of the Audi RS5, not as good as the RS4 which I was happy to realise after driving it.

One of the best looking Christmas party invitations I’ve ever got. This is from a local branding company, the theme was vampires, the party was great.

Wine tasting in the famous Barossa valley 1 hrs drive from Adelaide. Better looking scenery than the Hunter valley an nicer Shiraz.

Now onto beer tasting in the McLaren Vale near to Adelaide with Sanna’s old work friends.

Driving the new Porsche Boxster Spyder with Brendon on a Porsche drive day we were invited to. Great looking and sounding sports car, engine didn’t match up to the looks and sound though.

Our local markets has a market dog Jess and this is her new 6 week old pup, the cutest pup ever.