Do they know it's Christmas?

December 23rd - Airlie Beach, Queensland

Unquestionably, they do not. A resounding N.O. Christmas here passes almost unnoticed. People are out in the summer heat doing all kinds of unchristmassy things such as swimming and wearing caps.

Despite the blinding sun, this is a dark time for me. Those of you back in London trying to feel your way to work through a good old pea souper haven't got such a bad deal. Christmas to me, is all about bad weather, material gain and staying inside to watch films on TV. It is my favourite time of the year. Over here, you can't get mulled wine for love nor money and it's just not on to spend the the whole day inside breathing conditioned air.

Okay, rant over, relax and sit back and I'll give you some facts.

We're now halfway down the east coast of Queensland, staying by the Whitsunday Islands in a place called Airlie Beach (questionable choice of words). The place is the epitamy of chilled out. Our apartment is high upon the hillside, overlooking a picturesque bay dotted with sailing boats and the occaisional sea plane. It's a good place to be, nearly any time of the year.

Anyway, for those of you who do read this in time, Merry Chrismas! For the rest of you; enjoy January, try to get the month off to go somewhere sunny.