A new year - thank goodness

Tom and I were both very glad to see the back of 2016 - the Year of the Monkey in chinese astrology - hah!  It was a year full of challenges for the 2 of us and whilst I'm sure we've learnt some important lessons I'm looking forward to a simpler year in 2017.  Tess and Jules both had a better year with Tess settling in beautifully at her new school and making lovely new friends and Jules very very busy at work but enjoying the Partner-in-Charge role with it's increased focus on people management.  

New Year's Eve was spent at 40 Baskets Beach with the majority of Balgowlah Heights.  I liken it to a BYO cocktail party and it is one of my favourite evenings of the year.  Jules had moved Oka to her new mooring the day before and Tom and his friends enjoyed swimming out to the boat and jumping off.  We finished the evening watching the midnight fireworks at the Christensens where we could see all 6 City locations and marvel at the synchronicity.  

You can just see the boys heads in the water

Tom had a waterpolo competition for 3 days which took place at the Dawn Fraser baths.  His team came 3rd overall which was an excellent result as they were one of the youngest teams.  

Tom is making a silly face bottom right

I took Tom surfing one morning with a friend and after half an hour he came out of the water with something clearly wrong with his board.  I told him to pop into Manly Surf School to ask whether it was fixable.  Apparently the board was "creased" and not worth fixing.  Once we got home Tom and his friend had great fun bashing the board and properly snapping it in half.  

Luckily Tom has been saving for a new surf board for most of the year and so he was able to immediately go out and buy a new board.  

The board is excellent and it seems to have taken Tom's surfing to the next level.  He's one very happy boy.  

 Tom taking off on a wave

Tom in the middle of a snap - where you turn your board 180

This photo was taken 0.01 seconds after the one above and shows the end of the snap

Our good friends the Watts have moved to London for 3 years and they rented an apartment in Manly for their last weekend to make the most of the beach.  We planned lots of dinners and lunches to fare them well.  

Froses at the apartment whilst the boys sailed

Champagne at the apartment before heading out for dinner

 Sheldon, Andrew and Jules at Havana Beach for Sunday lunch

 Lenka, Kate and Trudie at Havana Beach

 Eleanor, Tess and Ruby

Ted is loving having the kids around all the time.  He's taken to barking outside Tom's door at about 6.30 to wake him up each morning as he wants someone to play with.  All the attention is exhausting for a puppy.