Christmas was always going to be strange, being my first time away from home, and also because i’d be celebrating it in the middle of the Australian summer, where normally around this time it would be freezing cold and most likely raining back home in the UK. In Sydney there wasn’t the atmosphere that i’m used to, and even simple things like Christmas music on the radio, and Christmas specials on the tele were nowhere to be seen. I was surprised how different the idea of Christmas was over here compared to at home, but when you think about it, the whole aspect of Christmas is always based around cold weather so i felt sorry for Aussies who would never have the same experience of Christmas as i’ve had.

I’d been worried about the prospect of spending Christmas here on my own but i was glad to hear many of the friends i’d met at the lodge would be in the same boat as me so i decided to invite them all around my place for Christmas Day.

I’d also decided to challenge myself and attempt to cook a traditional roast dinner by myself. I really made an effort and did plenty of research before the day to make sure it didn’t turn out to be a complete disaster. In fact it all went perfectly and we all had a great time sitting round the table, eating and drinking and before long singing some traditional cheesy Chrismas tunes.

With only a few days until NYE i’m really excited about spending it here in Sydney, who arguably have one of the best fireworks displays in the world. I’m lucky to get to see them from a perfect position, at one of my flatmates sister’s apartment so I’m looking forward to trying to get some pictures and will upload them soon!