...The Boy woke me up with a cuppa and a pile of presents :)... |
Back in England, around my birthday time, people are just starting to get excited about the approaching summer. Some years are warm enough to go out with flip flops on, and there's a general buzz of anticipation and sunshine joy as people plan their summertime activities. In Australia, May is in Autumn. All the shops are bringing out their 'winter collections', with signs talking about "preparing for the winter" and "wrapping up cosy warm". It's no wonder I felt totally unprepared for my birthday! But once the logical side of my brain had nudged the sensory side of my brain and convinced it that 'yes it is actually May and a birthday for celebrating', I felt like less of a fraudster and had a fun gorgeous day with The Boy, adventuring down the coast.
It made me realise though, how different life is 'down under' to back home. I thought you may like to hear my musings? Well hear away...
Confusing advertising...
...After a day in this sunshine, how is it possible to enjoy MULLED WINE..!? |
Flora...
...Our flatmates dog using a palm leaf as a chew toy. They are HUGE... |
There are palm trees all over the place and I love it! However, as it is currently Autumn, they are beginning to drop their leaves. In the UK, Autumn conjures images in my head of children frolicking in mittens as golden and brown leaves flitter down onto their heads. In Australia, if one of those plam leaves falls down on the children's heads they would no longer be fit for frolicking. These leaves are heavy and feel like they're made of wood. And they're about six feet long! One fell into our back yard the other day and I thought the neighbour had chucked a dead potted plant over the fence.
...and Fauna
...One of the many giant painted koalas kicking about Surfers Paradise... |
Aussie lingo
"...Yeah mate, just spent the 'arvo' having a 'Barbie' on the beach. We ate eggplant, capsicum and pumpkins..!" |
...Look at how happy we are. That's because we can have BBQs in local parks, while accessing free wifi and drinking delicious water..! |
Kindness for the Community
The Aussie government have this thing they do where they try and make the people of Australia happy. It's a novel idea and I wonder if it would work in the UK. They do things like install free wifi in local parks and high streets, have public BBQs in parks and at beaches for the people to use as they please. They also have lovely drinking fountains everywhere. Australia is a kind place to live :)
Sun, Sea and Sand...
...Me, probably pretending I'm in a music video... |
...George cycled right past me while I was on the bus and I got way more excited than was necessary, laughing and banging on the window... |
The only problem...
We love our new Aussie lives. We love the weather, the laid back lifestyle, the beaches and I'm even starting to enjoy the use of the word 'thongs'! There's just one problem. It's not in England. I already miss my family and friends, the contrasting seasons and the springtime blossom. I'd find Christmas a maelstrom of confusion, being the hottest time of the year, and I would even miss the rain a teeny bit!
We love our new Aussie lives. We love the weather, the laid back lifestyle, the beaches and I'm even starting to enjoy the use of the word 'thongs'! There's just one problem. It's not in England. I already miss my family and friends, the contrasting seasons and the springtime blossom. I'd find Christmas a maelstrom of confusion, being the hottest time of the year, and I would even miss the rain a teeny bit!
...Yeah, Surfers Paradise, Blackpool, what's the difference really..? |
So for the time being, it's perfection and I'm going to enjoy every moment we are here but you can bet your bottom Australian dollar I'll be home before Spring.
Who needs an all-year-round tan anyway!
Love Hannan xxx
Don't go home before you visit NZ! Nelson is gorgeous in the spring!!
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