Not a "White Xmas"... but a White Rock Xmas instead!

December 26, 2005 | 971 views | Trackback | |

Without family and friends surrounding me in this stunning country I currently call "home", Xmas this year could have so easily been non-event for me today. Thanks to a couple of great mates in TJ and Ryan, I had an amazing day in the end. Kicked things off with a nicely executed sleep-in. Yes, no kids around here to pander to with an early morning so I took the chance to zone out till mid morning.

Around lunch time I headed into the eerily quiet downtown area in order to jump on a bus that would take me out to White Rock, south of Vancouver on the Canadian/US border. Here I hooked up with TJ and headed back to his cousin's place for some Xmas lunch with his extremely accommodating extended family, and to partake in a running Gallaher family Xmas Day tradition - ten pin bowling at the local White Rock Bowling Alley. This was a first for me I have to say, but we had a ball working through a good few frames and an equal amount of beers.

TJ's Dad throwing one down the lane

TJ on his way to coming in dead last! Ha, ha!

Late afternoon, we headed back to TJ's parent's place to kick up our heels and relax for a bit before I thanked them all so very much for their kindness and hospitality and headed with TJ down towards the waterfront where he dropped me off and I walked about a mile in the cool crisp air to Colin (Ryan's Dad) and Gail's place where I joined their extended family in what can only be described as the most extravagant Xmas dinner I have ever had the guilty pleasure of indulging in. Obviously being used to the cold meat/salad/BBQ combination of Aussie Xmas', the full hot turkey dinner was an amazing experience for me, especially when seated at a table of something like 12-13 of Ryan's generous family.

Ryan and Corrie in front of the stunning Ashton family tree

The Bird

Colin attending to the bird

Colin even went above and beyond by presenting me with a beautiful red wood lined wine box containing a full set of wine corkscrews and other associated "tools" and a bottle of the special Ashton family drop of red. I was speechless. The night wound down via plenty of conversation and what can only be described as "gluttony" - a truly memorable Xmas away from home - one I won't forget for a very long time!

A massive thanks must go out to both TJ, Ryan and their respective families for taking in the stranded "Skippy from Down Under" for the day - I really appreciate it guys!

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