Noel!

Christmas has been and gone and today we head off for a holiday in Mare - the largest of the Loyalty Islands.

We ate masses over Christmas - a lovely pork roast on Christmas eve and prawns, pepper-seared tuna (spicy on the outside and rich, red and raw in the middle - mmmmm) and grilled vege salad for lunch on Christmas day. Max started the day with his stocking, beautifully made by clever Angelique, and we finished the day with a leisurely swim out at Kuendu.

My parents are here and they have assured us that their stay with us reminds them of the years we spent in living in Singapore in the 90's. I'm not so sure about the similarities - but I can see that the heat, Christmas flame trees and some of the interesting smells that waft up from the gutters all evoke memories of life in Asia.

Last night we treated ourselves to dinner at a local restaurant. Max, being a 7pm bedtime boy, is normally left at home with our trusty babysitter when we go out. Last night he came with us. He was a superstar - buoyed by the crooning santa who sang old French classics along with (actually a few seconds behind) an old hurdy gurdy mouth organ. Very tacky but hilarious. Rather than a sled, sleigh or other means of transport, Santa rocked up in a van with 'rent a santa' emblazoned on the side...I guess Santa's got to earn some money for all those pressies for next year!