Echuca Ahoy

In the almost-decade that I have spent in Melbourne Victoria, I have crossed the Murray River a fair few times in driving commutes from one state to another, but I have never been to somewhere specifically to see the Murray. It is far from it's former glory I presume by the flood signs and levels of years gone past but it still has an appeal.

Myself, my twin, her hubby and my mum made the 3 hour journey for a day trip to the good ole town of Echuca. The general consensus was that it was a bloody long way for a boat ride but I had a ball! The historic little street they have set up is very sweet and the boats vary from grand to laughable.

We hopped on a paddlesteamer and headed off for an hour trip. Turns out that that really isn't very far in distance because they travel at a very slow pace. Fun though :)

So did the paddle steamer live up to my expectations?.....I was imagining the big floating casino's of yesteryear, the men in ten gallon hats, the women with bustles and being thrown over board for cheating at poker.Of course none of that happened on my trip with the family. And I was only slightly disappointed. I did at some stage want to divide the people up on the boat evenly so each side was carrying a similar amount of weight but other than that my anxiety of boats stayed pretty much under control.

TOGA TOGA 2009

Last years TOGA TOGA New Years Eve party was such a success we decided that we will make it a tradition that for New Years Eve we will invite people to come to our house to eat and drink in sheets :)

From what I remember of this year: New friends in attendance, dancing in the rain, fights over who was singing in Rockband, several I-love-you-guys moments and GB managed to see the end of one of his parties for the first time!

Here is a photo of GB and I doing our best impressions of Bluto:

#56 See a live band at least once every 3 months for a year

04/02/09 - Briefcase Full of Blues (Blues Brothers Tribute Band)
09/02/09 - Jose Gonzales
15/05/09 - Psuedo Echo and Wa Wa Nee
31/05/09 & 18/06/09 - P!nk
04/08/09 - The White Album Concert
28/08/09 - Alice Cooper
21/11/09 - Monsters of Rock

And it looks like 2010 will also be a great year - upcoming concert: Newton Faulkner

#53 Host a family Christmas

GB and I hosted our first Christmas Eve family dinner and Christmas Day lunch. My family were pikey pikers and did their own thing in NSW and missed out! :)

Christmas Eve was just the three of us: GB, myself and Mrs K. This is the night we open presents and gorge ourselves on seaford.

Before

After

Christmas Day was another statement on indulgence and traditionalism. In attendance: Mrs K, GB, myself and the Sultana's GB's Grandmother and Great Aunt. It was a lovely and relaxed day (for me anyway - Mrs K did all the cooking and cleaning for me)