Hi! Holger,

On 28 Dec 18 09:56, you wrote to me:

 HG> Noticed in the news that it had become quite hot in the western/middle
 HG> parts of your land/continent.

Yes.  For about six months we have had a persistent pattern of hot air being
funneled from the northwest coast near Papua, down across the center of our
continent (and re-blasted by the furnace of desert air), to then end up in
various places on the southeast parts.

Interesting fact: of Australia's population (23 million?), 85% live in a 50km
strip around the coastline.  Since we are near the coast, can enjoy cooling
breezes from the Pacific Ocean roughly 50% of the time.

 HG> The eastern part of Australia seems to have enjoyed nice temperatures.

After suffering bush fires at many & various places, then flooding rains. 
It's incredibly beautifulhere at present.  28C max temps, marvelous winds &
gusts up to 30kph (when we hardly have any breeze).  And mixed (50-50?) cloud
days keeping us warm and still cool.  Beautiful.

 HG> You see, we don't wait for Santa to come in the morning of Christmas
 HG> day

Same here, though not by custom.  I have a present from my favourite
sister-in-law that she gave me last weekend.  I knew what it was without
ripping into the wrapping.  :)

 HG> My son has always preferred to celebrate Christmas within his family
 HG> and I don't blame him. After all, he is living 30 km from the city and
 HG> after all, I wouldn't have space for four additional guests around the
 HG> table.

That's how this house used to be.  It gives me a ghostly feeling moving around
what was once a thriving and raucous home, with just me & my two house-bird
animal friends now.

OTOH, I had a wonderful Xmas.  My youngest daughter (Michelle, who works as a
nurse in an outback town) came to stay with me, and on Xmas days we both went
to my eldest daughter's home (Katherine), to enjoy a festive lunch with
Kathy's partner and his two brothers.  It was great, catching up with everyone
in one place.

 HG> Have a good end of the year and a Happy New 2019 year.

You too, big feller.  ;)

Cheers,
Paul.

... Whenever I get a grip on reality, the handle falls off.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20130515
 * Origin: Quinn's Rock - Live from Paul's Xubuntu desktop! (3:640/1384)