Lazy Days

MB was taken by the fancy to do some swimming today, the last day of 2006. Serious swimming mind you, laps at the local swimming pool. MDR was recruited on the pretext of doing some underwater hockey training and off the pair went, alas the pool was closed. Is New Year's Eve a public holiday?
"Let's go to the Bellevue where we stayed last week, you remember the PIN code for the pool gate don't you?" suggests MDR. MB isn't a fan of furtively using other people's swimming pools and countered with the idea of actually swimming in the ocean at Trinity Beach.
With both agreeing on a swim at the beach, they set off and amazingly found a parking spot just near the stinger net. Understood why when they walked onto the beach, not a soul swimming in the stinger proof enclosure and big signs warning swimming was prohibited as Irukandji jellyfish present!
After some lolling on the sand, the pair did a beach walk up to the Ron McKauge Track and walked around the rocky point. MB did actually get to do some paddling in the shallows and spotted a turtle from the walking track.
Trinity Beach on a late afternoon with a brisk sou-easterly sea breeze is certainly a very nice spot to be.

Christmas Day 2006 Trinity Beach

Christmas Lunch was a triumph, just one small hitch, forgot the peas, however some sauteed broccoli filled in admirably.
The little one was a bit overwhelmed by all the fuss, did lots of climbing on his avalanche of gifts, Mummy, Uncle, doting grand & great grandparents had to help with the unwrapping. Great Grandpa Steve was like a kid in a lolly factory, building a tower taller than himself with every piece of gift baby duplo.
Christmas night saw the MB family challenge MB for the Trivial Pursuit crown. After a long battle with lots of friendly bickering, the yougest son and Nana Anne team emerged victorious.
Holiday apartment was sensational, perched above the beach, each night the MB family was soothed to sleep by the sound of waves lapping the beach, plus some wine and/or beer....

Cynicism to the Fore

Interesting discussion on ABC RN Counterpoint last night about a chap by the name of Dr Kersten who got so sick of the motivational guff and jargon that so many companies insist on forcing on their staff he decided to write his own book, The Art of Demotivation. MB checked out the website and got quite a chuckle from some of the satirical illustrations shown there. Worth a peek if you're jaded with those corporate love-ins and motivational types.

:::::: Mango Season ::::::

Just showing off a fraction of Mr MB's mango harvest from our very own garden.

Christmas at Trinity Beach

Christmas is much on the minds of the MB family at present. The general consensus is for a tradtional home made hot lunch. First Daughter and MB have therefore hatched a plan to celebrate Christmas Day at the Northern Beaches of Cairns. This entails booking an air-conditioned, waterfront apartment so that the traditional hot lunch can be made and enjoyed in relative comfort!
MB's first draft menu follows:

Christmas Lunch Menu
Roasted Turkey, fresh free range from Marsh's Butchers, with sage & onion stuffing.
Roasted Rolled Loin of Pork stuffed with Apples & Wine Soaked Prunes.
Oven Roasted Tablelands' potatoes & pumpkin, kaukau, red onion & carrots. Seasoned with fresh mixed herbs and extra virgin olive oil.

Baby Peas infused with Corinne's home grown Mint.

Mesclun Salad with Vine Ripened Tomatoes and Millaa Millaa Buffalo Milk Bocconcini dressed with Balsamic & Olive Oil.

Traditional Home Made Cognac Steeped Christmas Pudding wrapped in calico accompanied by warm home made Crème Patissiere.

A selection of Ice Cold Drinks including: XXXX Gold & Corona, Trevor Jones Sparkling Shiraz, Dorrien Estate Rosè, Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Yarra Valley Pinot Noir & Chez Coles Sparkling Mineral Water for those not partaking.