It's just astonishing

Our Christmas tree arrived today. It is 9 feet tall and weighs about two tons. I will need Cate’s help tonite to unbox it – get it upright and stick it into our special handy dandy Christmas tree holder.

Even so –ordering it online  was much easier than when we bought our tree in Vienna. There we had to buy it from the farmer in the park – drag it two blocks to our apartment building – and carry it up four flights of stairs. And it was more expensive than it is here.

I don’t know what I do with it after Christmas. In Vienna I used to burn it but I can’t do that in a gas fire. I will ask the neighbors – there may be a county collection process.

I have finally finished the planning and booking process for Montreal and Newfoundland. My major difficulty was finding a restaurant for New Year’s Eve in St Johns. I eventually – after much pleading and cajoling - got into the restaurant in the Sheraton hotel where we are staying - but then I found out that they close at 11:30 PM. And the hotel overlooks the harbor – but that is not where the fireworks are – they are miles away on another lake.

We might content ourselves with a drink in the bar.

I am astounded to note that Australia has won the Ashes. For those Americans who do not know what the Ashes are – it is bit like the world series in baseball – in that only two teams play – and in this case it is Australia and England  and the game is cricket.

It is the most important sporting clash between these two nations and there is nothing that any citizen of either country wants more than to beat the other team. It is visceral.

Anyway – despite all predictions – and after being crushed  by England in the last series – Australia has beaten (no – demolished) England in the first three tests (out of five) and has regained the Ashes.

It’s just astonishing.