John's Birthday and Christmas Eve

We haven't ended up quite in the wilderness after all. We have driven to the furthest surf spot in the east of Victoria,a place called Mallacoota. It's a sleepy little town out of season right on the edge of a huge lake. We have treated ourselves to a proper camp site for the sfirst time since being in Oz, just for a few nights. The setting is amazing. We are camping next to the lakeside with a view of forest and hills in the distance and to our right we can see the waves breaking out on a sand bar. It's a popular spot for families to bring their own boats and enjoy the lake. This is great as there are fewer surfers here than other spots.

I (John) had an amazing birthday. I have always said I have wanted to go away surfing for my birthday but it has never been possible. I'm used to cold birthdays with little daylight. Here in Oz it's the opposite. I awoke to Ruth having decorated the van with loads of birthday trimmings. We had breakfast and hit the good surf at a near bye beach. We pretty much had the spot to ourselves. The king of all bacon sandwiches followed, nice! We had another great surf again not many other surfers out. We chilled a bottle of bubbly the best way we could (in the lake) and enjoyed it along with a porterhouse steak and a few Victoria Bitters. We had a chat with my Mum and Dad via Skype. It was great to see them. My Dad showed us the frost out of the window. I'm glad we are in Oz!!!

Christmas eve has been HOT, we have surfed again and a kind man gave us Flat Head fish that he had caught that morning, to cook on the Barbie (We didn't catch it ourselves Dan but it was good!!).

Hope Santa remembers we are not in England! Have a great Christmas xx