Waking up today to ‘wall to wall’ sunshine makes us feel like we’ve properly arrived in Manly.

Our Xmas social scene is getting into gear, with our first get together at Tracy’s apartment above the Freshwater Surf Club this lunch time.

We are so fortunate to have made some great friends over the years coming to Manly. We of course have Caroline to thank for first introducing us and making us feel part of their community of expats.

Our pre pre Xmas lunch was a casual affair with a ‘Subway’ style offer with dips and chips, before the party games with the kids commenced.

Amelia loves these ‘mini’ traditions and getting together with the other kids whose she’s spent previous Xmas holidays together with.

The party games quickly became highly competitive and before we knew it there was a marsh mellow melee!

It was then the M&M game with straws to help move the chocolates from one bowl to the next.

After a fun packed lunch and more party games, we headed to Freshwater beach for a swim and surf before walking back to our apartment for a bite to eat before heading out to the suburbs to the Xmas lights street.

Borgnis Street never fails to delight and is a real explosion of Xmas light extravaganza.

After a couple of hours of walking along this surreal street of Xmas craziness, we made our way back, with a brief stop at another Xmas tradition, a McDonalds ice cream and smoothies. It’s only once a year and the ice creams were only a dollar!

Tomorrow it’s back to the beach, before the next Manly members Xmas dinner in the evening.