Christmas build up in Brisbane

I have decided that Brisbane is a great place to be in the build up to Christmas.

The shops are open really late in the week or so before Christmas so as long as you don't go in the last few days you can do your shopping without the crowds being too big. I guess lots of shoppers didn't think about that when apparently at midnight on Thursday it was impossible to find a park at Chermside. When Paul and I went on Tuesday after work it wasn't even that busy - yay for getting in early!

Anyway so there has been heaps going on in Brisbane lately.About a week ago Paul and I went for a drive around some of the surrounding suburbs where we live to have a look at the Christmas lights. I love Christmas lights and boy do heaps of people go bonkers over here! here a a couple of pics from the competitions website. They're not very good quality but give the general idea of some of the ones we saw (I forgot to take my camera - whoops) and a few others. 7 news had the winners in a bunch of categories on at the end of the news each night and they were just unbelievable. Some of these people had been putting up their lights for the past 3 months and had "train rides" and all sorts around their properties.





On Friday I was walking to the train after work drinks when suddenly the sky lit up. No I hadn't passed our drunk. Instead there was fireworks coming from the river. So I hang out the front of the station for a few mins and watched them before running the catch my train. Then on Saturday night Paul and I headed back into the city to catch partake in some more festivities that had be put on at South Bank. We, along with lots of others, went down to the river and watched an awesome fireworks display - loved it!

Then we walked past the Suncorp Plaza where earlier they'd been singing Christmas carols, and walked past the Santa display where all the kiddies were getting their photos taken, past the trees set up with Christmas lights and the ferris wheel to the Cultural forecourt (actually has green grass this year too) where they had a giant tv screen set up and were playing movies. We had missed watching Happy Feet but sat down to watch the Chronicles of Narnia instead with a nice white chocolate Magnum ice-cream. Very cool! The whole setup in South Bank was fantastic - they had lots of other stuff going on to like Christmas Pantomimes for the kids etc.

I haven't been to see the Christmas tree lit up in Queen St mall yet so Paul and I might do that after work tonight.

Then it's off to "midnight" mass at 10:30pm to sing carols and remember what Christmas is really about. Then we can get up really early and open our presents - wahoo (yep - this is about the time I digress in maturity to be an excited 5 year old again). And just when you start thinking people have forgotten what the Christmas spirit is someone goes and surprises you. Our lovely neighbors have invited us over for a Christmas BBQ. Cool aye! So for Christmas dinner we'll be popping over the fence around 5pm to have a bbq with Roy & Deb (& Jack the Rottweiler - he's only 2 and looks bit scary - but he's really just a big softy really :-) and their son and his family). So it won't be such a lonely Christmas after all.

Anyway better go and do some work.

Have a wonderful & safe Christmas everyone. Take care on the roads!!!

Ange