I think most of us approach Christmas in the same sort of way. Outwardly, we groan how the decorations appear earlier every year and lament on how it’s becoming just a commercially driven celebration without any meaning, and how it will inevitably leave us in debt for the next 12 months until we do it all again, etc etc.

But secretly our inner child is cheering, relishing the unadulterated eating and drinking to come, and harbouring a secret hope that perhaps this year will deliver on the perfect Christmas promise so beautifully portrayed in the latest John Lewis TV commercial.

Christmas overseas: leave it or take it head on!

But Christmas is all about family. So what do you do if you’re an expat, possibly on your own, on the other side of the world?

Well, you have two options. Either you pull your duvet (doona) over your head, sever all communication with the outside world until New Years at least, watching a box set of for favourite 20th century American sitcom while eating pot noodles and denying all knowledge of the season to be jolly. Or you make the most of being in one of the most amazing cities of the world, and just go for it, Christmas on steroids.!I suggest the latter.

A Real Wintery Christmas

The one thing I really love about the UK is that Christmas is celebrated in WINTER. Finally the dreams of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose can finally be realized. Fellow Aussies could wax lyrical to me all day about the brilliant beach BBQ they have on Christmas day followed by Boxing Day with beers in the pool, but frankly it falls on deaf ears. To me, nothing beats a cold Christmas, so while you’re in London, make the most of it!

My suggested itinerary is outdoor ice-skating somewhere iconic like Hampton Court Palace, followed by warming egg nog (or cold Bavarian beer if you fancy) with bratwurst and sauerkraut at the German Markets in Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.

Witness the carnage unfolding in Hamley’s toy store and admire the painstakingly put-together shop window fronts of Oxford Street. Carols by Candlelight at the Royal Albert Hall is a magical experience – though don’t be put off by your neighbours tone deaf singing, instead, join in, the flatter the better. And ballet fan or not, the Nutcracker is a must to inspire even the most determined Grinch to join in with the spirit of the season.

My final tip is to revel in tipples usually reserved for pensioners — sherry, brandy and port; for some reason it is perfectly acceptable for anyone of any age to indulge in these during the weeks surrounding Christmas. With the added excuse that one needs them to keep the frosty weather at bay.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

And there is one final bonus to spending Christmas in the northern hemisphere — the possibility of experiencing the most magical Yuletide of all: the White Christmas Bing Crosby croons of so silkily, year on year. Though the odds of it happening in London are slim, at least there is hope, and to me that sure beats the alternative back home in Perth, Melbourne, Brissy, Sydney or wherever Down Under and the possibility of a 40 degree stinker on Christmas Day.

Memories for a lifetime

So hopefully this has inspired you to rope in all your unsuspecting mates and to go Christmas-crazy in the Big Smoke this year. I for one know that when the memory of Christmases spent in the UK become more and more distant, I will still be trying to recreate the magic in my pool room back in Oz, with air conditioning cranked to the max, trying to convince anyone that will listen that sherry isn’t just for old ladies who play bridge.

TOP IMAGE: (Via Jill111/Pixabay)

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Geographically on the smaller side of things, especially compared to the giant landmass that is Australia, Italy more than makes up for what it lacks in size with what it has to offer in culture, scenery, gastronomy — I could go on. But then you probably already knew all of this, Italy is not a hard sell.

I planned my trip with an unreasonable fear that if I didn’t do it all, I was going to miss out on something amazing.

First-lady finesse

If you only have an opportunity for a short break, and Italy is on your to-do list, then I would suggest a few days in Florence to get a feel for what Italy is all about.

The breathtaking first lady of Tuscany, Florence is nestled quietly amongst the rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards of the surrounding Italian countryside. Much calmer than her hectic cousin Rome, Florence somehow manages to combine gorgeous architecture, couture shopping streets, hustle-bustle markets, galleries crammed with classics, and amazing culinary experiences, without the frantic pace of some of the big tourist cities.

Artistic endeavours

Art expert or not, there are two museums that will be on your must-see list in Florence – the Uffizi which is one of the world’s great Renaissance galleries, and the Galleria dell’Accademia which is home to the stunning David, a man-mountain carved from a single slab of marble by the Italian master Michelangelo.

There are various life size replicas of David sprinkled around Florence, such as the one pictured above, but they pale in comparison to the real deal. If you’re in town anytime around peak season you’ll probably have to queue, but he’s worth it.

Plus, the dell’Accademia is home to some other great art — when I visited they also had some Andy Warhol and Picasso works on show as part of a temporary exhibit.

The street artists in Florence are at another level too, and you can even commission some of them to paint something of your choice while you wait, for a reasonable price — beats taking home just another tacky souvenir.

Stop for a shop

If shopping is your thing, you will be in heaven in Florence. The cobbled streets and piazzas are home to all the usual European high street suspects, but it’s the markets that really set Florence apart. Some run every day, like the San Lorenzo Market and the Porcellino Market, while some only run at weekends or monthly.

I was lucky enough to time my stay with a monthly antique market, Mercato di Santo Spirito, which had everything for sale from vintage clothes to hand-painted ceramics and porcelain, home-cooked Italian goodies to antique furniture.

Most of the markets also carry an array of leather-goods, with everything from bags to belts to bookmarks. You should be able to pick up a guide to the Florentine markets complete with map from where you’re staying or at information points.

A bike getaway t0 the countryside

Being at the door-step of the Tuscan countryside means that you must get out and see it. There are many options available from Florence, including Fiat, Vespa, and even horseback, but in my opinion the best way is by bike.

Though Tuscany is rather hilly, it is a sublime way to soak in your surroundings at your (somewhat) leisure.

Italian drivers are extremely considerate to cyclists, with cycling a national sport in Italy, so don’t be alarmed by all the beeps and horns as you pedal away — drivers are just letting you know that they’re there. You can do lovely day trips from central Florence which include a winery tour, wine-tasting and lunch.

Florentine feasts

After all that hard work on the bike, an Italian feast is in order.

I had some amazing food in Florence, but the stand out was Za-Za Trattoria (www.trattoriazaza.it). It always seemed to be packed but the night we ventured in they squeezed us in no problem.

Florentine delicacies include massive sizzling steaks served for two, or spaghetti alla carbonara with wild boar instead of the usual bacon, all washed down with Chianti Classico. And after all that uphill cycling, some tiramisu or torta di ricotta (Italian cheesecake) to finish off is almost compulsory.

Ponte Vecchio sunset romance

To really experience the magic of Florence, be sure to visit Ponte Vecchio bridge just before sunset.

I was told that the butchers of Florence once peddled their wares on this bridge, but at the end of the day they would throw all the left-overs into the river below, creating what must have been an ungodly smell. In 1539 the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand I de’ Medici, decided that this really wasn’t contributing to the ambience of such a lovely location. The butchers were ousted, and replaced with jewellers, a much more luxurious alternative.

Today the bridge is still teeming with jewellery shops, and thankfully the scent of rotting meat no longer fills the air.

The Ponte Vecchio bridge was the only bridge in Florence not to be destroyed by the Germans during their World War II retreat in 1944, and rumour has it that this was because of Hitler’s specific command for it to remain.

Whatever the reason, once you’ve watched the sun go down over the Arno, you’ll be so very glad that the bridge did survive.

A gelato a day…

I’ll leave you with one final word about Florence. Gelato. I made it my mission to have a gelato a day while in Italy, and I’m proud to say that not only did I complete this mission, some days I even managed two.

Though I hardly made a dent in the flavours on offer, one Florentine specialty you should try is pine nut gelato – it’s curiously wonderful, and will leave you wanting more.

Just like Florence herself.

Images: via Pixabay

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SO YOU and your mate are talking about your to-do list for the upcoming British “summer”.

“This one is a must do,” states your friend.

“Let’s go camping for 3 days, with ninety thousand other people. It’ll probably rain most of the time and everything from water to beer to a burger will be extortionately priced. It will be a mission to get in, a mission to get out, more than likely we’ll have some valuables stolen and at some stage of the weekend we’ll be unable to find our tent.”

Only the words they’ve actually said are: “We’ve just GOT to go to a proper British festival while we’re here!”

What is it about festivals? They’re expensive, they’re a hassle to attend, and they make us lower our hygiene standards to a level that would normally be intolerable. And yet, they are indeed a must do, especially when in Britain.

I find it quite amusing that a country with such uncooperative summer weather has such a culture of summer festivals. From May through to September, there is a seemingly endless array to choose from, with something for every musical taste.

Having been to a number of festivals back home, I knew that I had to experience one in the UK before heading back. It’s funny how the memories of poorly erected tents collapsing in the dawn hours, sore arms from carrying loads of luggage for miles and toilets so foul they make your eyes water seem to melt away from memory the minute arrangements to attend another festival commence.

So far I’ve managed two festivals while over here — Electric Picnic in Ireland, during my younger years in 2006, and more recently last year’s V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex.

Having learnt the hard way about many hidden pitfalls of the British festival during these two weekends, I feel it my duty to dispense the following FESTIVAL TO DO LIST.

Festival To Do List

Pack like a pro

If you’ve been living in the UK any amount of time before now, you’ll probably already of thought of this. But prepare and pack for ALL WEATHERS. Rain, hail, sun, snow, tornado. From your tent to your clothes. For example, for the festival I went to in Ireland, my friend and I forgot the fly cover for our tent. After smugly putting our tent up in the glorious sunshine, I woke up at 4am on the first night lying in a puddle, and stayed wet for the rest of the (very rainy) weekend. But then at V Festival, the weather was unbelievably hot and dry, and I remember having a conversation with one girl who could hardly walk because all she had brought were her oh so trendy Hunter wellies, which had given her colossal blisters in the heat.

Everybody loves good neighbours

Choose your neighbours wisely. Attending a festival inevitably means being in very close quarters with many strangers for a prolonged period of time. If you’re a slightly more mature festival goer who wants to get a little bit of sleep at some point of the weekend, probably best not to set up camp next to the 18 year old “lads” necking Red Bull.

Also be mindful that you’ll probably be trying to find your tent at some point of the weekend in the pitch black, after one too many warm beers. So try and grab a spot near something that might serve as a landmark. At V Festival we set up near a kebab van, which was actually perfect for soaking up those warm beers in the pitch black before kipping down for the night.

Plan to perfection

Arrange your travel to the nth degree. Whichever way you arrange it, it’s probably going to be a bit of a mission getting to the campsite. When going to the festival in Ireland, my friend and I booked a coach from Dublin, thinking it would drop us at the festival door. Instead we ended up in some village in the middle of the countryside with no clue where to head next. Luckily we managed to get a taxi with some other baffled foreigners who’d made the same mistake and we made it to the grounds, but it ended up being more expensive than our original outlay.

Also, be early. The other thousands of festival goers are going to want a good spot near the kebab van too, so make sure you beat them to it by getting to the camping grounds as soon as you can. And make sure that you’re close to the toilets — but not too close!

A creature of comfort

Despite what the glossy mags would have you believe, a festival is not the time for a fashion parade. Dress as comfy as possible, and don’t take ANYTHING you’d be upset to lose, from clothes to jewellery. Thieves deliberately target festivals in the UK, and it’s more likely than not that if you leave something valuable unattended it’ll go walkabout.

You don’t want to spend the whole weekend stressing about the whereabouts of your expensive camera or your iPhone, so I suggest buying a prepaid £10 ‘brick’ phone for the weekend and making do with disposable cameras — I’m sure Facebook will survive without you for three days, plus you’ll be having too much of an amazing weekend to have time to update your status anyway, surely!

Stick to a schedule

Get a programme as soon as you can, and know who you want to see and when. The sheer size of many UK festivals means that many acts will be on at the same time, and sadly you may have to make some tough choices if your favourites are on at the same time. At a festival like V the stages are quite far away from each other so don’t think you can watch 10 minutes of one act and then ‘pop over’ to another stage for someone on at the same time, you’ll probably end up missing the better part of both and getting extremely agitated trying to barge your way through the crowds in the meantime. Make a list of your “must see” sets and stick to it!

If you’re a seasoned festival goer you’ll probably already know everything I’ve just covered. But even after many festivals back home in Oz I found the sheer size and volume of people at UK festivals makes for a whole new experience, and you really can’t be too prepared. And after it’s all over, not only will you have your memories, you’ll also be able to trump any Australian festivals with your bragging rights — “So you went to Homebake this year? I’ve been to Glastonbury mate!”

The post Surviving the Summer: A Festival How-To Guide appeared first on Australian Times News.

For many years now, I have believed the Turf Tavern to be the place that Australian living legend Bob Hawke drank a yard glass of ale in under 12 seconds, breaking a Guinness World Record and completing a feat that has become part of the fabric of not only the Labor Party, but Australian history. I’ve even told all of you to visit the Turf to see the chalkboard commemorating Bob’s achievement in a previous article. Well, I thought, it’s in Wikipedia so it must be true.

The quest to find the Holy Grail

As Tuesday 5 March marked the 30th anniversary of the Hawke government winning power, and the man himself commencing the longest term of a Labor Prime Minister to date, it seems it’s now time to set the record straight. I joined the ALP Abroad pilgrimage to Oxford on their “quest to find the location of the Holy Grail”, the REAL location where Bob completed his beer-conquering feat around 60 years ago.

Sure, it set a world record, but why such interest in this one solitary event in the life of one of Australia’s most influential individuals? An Oxford graduate, a Rhodes Scholar, Reserve Bank board member and president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Bob himself has suggested that this one single exploit — setting a beer-drinking speed record — may have contributed to his political success more than any other achievement, by endearing him to a voting population with a strong beer culture.

We were lucky enough to have the President of the Oxford University Student’s Union, who also happens to be Australian, lead us on our quest. Our first stop was University College, where Bob studied as a Rhodes Scholar from 1953 to 1956. Rhodes Scholarships are known as “the world’s most prestigious scholarship”, awarded not only for academic achievement, but also strength of character. Perhaps it is for this reason that many recipients find political success following their time at Oxford. Other politicians to be awarded the scholarship include former US president Bill Clinton, former WA premier Geoff Gallop, former Deputy Prime Minister and current Australian Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley, as well as current opposition leader Tony Abbott.

Tracing the tradition 

So why did Bob do it in the first place? Oxford University is an institution steeped in quaint tradition, and even more so in the 1950’s when Bob was a student. Students take their evening meal in the dining hall of their college, and are required to attend wearing a gown. Back in Bob’s day, if you turned up not wearing a gown, you were subject to a challenge against the ‘sconce master’ of the college. “Sconcing” is a tradition unique to Oxford University, which demands a person drink a tankard of alcohol, usually ale, as penance for a breach of etiquette — such as forgetting to wear one’s gown to dinner! The story goes that Bob had to drink the yard of ale from a sconce pot faster than the sconce master, or face buying a round for all present. Being unable to afford to buy the round, Bob had no choice but to beat the sconce master. And beat him he did, setting a world record and carving a place in Australian history at the same time.

“Being unable to afford to buy the round, Bob had no choice but to beat the sconce master. And beat him he did.”

So what did this mean for our quest? It meant that despite what Wikipedia or the Turf Tavern may claim, that it was actually in the dining hall of University College that Bob conquered that tankard. For it would have been a tankard, made of silver or pewter, not a yard glass that Bob drank from that day, making the challenge even harder. Apparently students are not trusted with these drinking vessels any more, and they are used only for decoration at the college master’s tables from time to time. The students could be better off with some virgin games codes.

Perfecting a party trick

Since that fateful day in Oxford, necking beer has become a bit of a party trick for our Bob. Another famous drinking incident took place in 1972, when he downed another yard of beer in the presence of then Labor leader Gough Whitlam. He has also completed a recap of the feat during the 1990’s, in the very dining hall of University College where it first took place — this time with his own portrait looking down on him, from its pride of place above the fire. And most recently he knocked back a large lager at the SCG in January 2012, this at the age of 82. The clip has had over a million hits on YouTube, as well as stirring up much patriotic admiration in the hearts of many of us.

Bob Hawke was the Prime Minister of Australia when I was born, which is probably true for many of you reading this. So it’s easy to forget or even take for granted some of Hawkes’ achievements and contributions during his term of Australian Prime Minister from 1983 until 1991. Medicare, outlawing of sexual discrimination in the workplace, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), protection of the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park from uranium mining, the proclamation of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ as the national anthem and green and gold as the national colours are just some of the notable legacies of the Hawke government.

Amongst all these achievements was Bob Hawkes’ ability to appeal to the working people, to be somebody they could identify with and believe in, a larrikin, but with intellect and ability. Many people voted for Bob Hawke because they loved him, at times his approval rating was above 70% – compared to today where it seems that people are voting for who they dislike the least, or perceive to be the lesser of two evils. With September’s federal election looming, I’m sure that both Labor and the Liberals would love to capture just some of the same likeability and appeal to voters that Bob Hawke had back in the Eighties.

Drinking a yard glass of ale in under 12 seconds probably won’t do the trick — besides, it’s already been done. However, I’m probably not alone in thinking that our current political leaders could learn a thing or two from Bob Hawke about engaging the Australian public, and most importantly, getting their vote.

The post Hawke’s Legend: The true story of the yard glass yarn appeared first on Australian Times News.

OXFORD is known as the city of dreaming spires, and I really couldn’t think of a better sentence to describe it.

From the cobbled streets of the city to the hidden quadrangles of the ever-present University, it is the kind of place where dreams are made, dreams are lived, or dreams float away without ever being realised.

In summer, punts are lazily steered down the Isis (what the locals call the Thames) in a haze of sunshine and Pimms, with the sound of University cricket matches punctuating the drone of fat bumblebees.

Come winter and the city hides her secrets away, behind the doors of low-roofed public houses hidden in alleyways, but not so well-hidden that the local students or odd antipodean can’t seek them out.

As home to the oldest University in the English-speaking world, Oxford is inevitably steeped in history, and has been home to many significant individuals and colourful characters over the years.

From Alice in Wonderland to the Lord of the Rings, Inspector Morse to Henry the VIII, Radiohead to Harry Potter, there is something to capture everyone’s imagination amongst the magnificent architecture of Oxford city.

One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll not be the only one hoping to experience some of the magic that Oxford has to offer. Just like London, it is Always Busy. Full of tourists, students, dons and locals at all times of the year, not to mention the occasional celebrity and film crew. The streets are always teeming with people.

One way to avoid the crowds is to do what many have done before you, and duck into a local pub to mull the day away over a pint. Oxford has its fair share of pubs, as do most English cities, but there are four I recommend you not to miss.

Turf Tavern

First on the list is the Turf Tavern, self-proclaimed to provide “An Education in Intoxication”.

The Turf is tricky to find, so head to another Oxford favourite (and great photo opportunity) – the Bridge of Sighs, and you will see the alleyway tucked away to the left.

Should you be fortunate enough to find the alleyway that leads to the Turf, you will be able to follow in the footsteps of one of Australia’s national treasures, our very own Bob Hawke, who in 1963 entered the Guinness World Book of Records for drinking a yard glass of ale in 11 seconds at this very establishment.

For those not yet familiar with their imperial measurements, a yard glass holds the equivalent of two and half pints. Not a bad feat. Have a hunt in the beer garden for a chalkboard commemorating our Bob’s great achievement.

Head of the River

For a bit of a different, yet still very Oxford vibe, the Head of the River gives the clue in the title. Located on the banks of the Thames by Folly Bridge, just down from Christchurch College, it takes its name from the famous boat race against Cambridge. And if there’s one thing Oxford takes seriously, it’s a boat race.

You can see the Oxford University boathouses from the Head of the River, and more often than not crews training relentlessly, regardless of season or temperature. In summer you’ll be hard pressed to find a table outside here, for though the prices at the bar reflect the quality of the view, it’s worth every penny.

Even in winter it’s a charming place to visit, with plenty of outdoor heaters and glimpses of the river from the windows inside if freezing to death isn’t your thing.

Eagle and Child

Next on the list is the Eagle and Child, or Bird and Baby if you want to make like a local. Owned by the University, it has previously been home to a writer’s group which included The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe author C.S.Lewis, along with J.R.R.Tolkien.

It has been refurbished over the years, and no longer has “the Rabbit Room” where the writers would once meet, but is still quaint enough to give you a feeling for what those times might have been like.

The Bear Inn

Finally The Bear Inn, or just “the Bear”, rounds out my list of quintessential Oxfordian pubs. It claims to be the oldest pub in Oxford, which seems a flimsy claim as it is now in a different building from the original coaching inn it once was.

Nonetheless, it is worth visiting for its other claim to fame, a collection of over 4,500 neckties which line the walls and the (very low) roof of this tiny pub. For whatever reason, the tradition started in the 1950s when the landlord began exchanging half pints of beer for the snipped end of a customer’s tie. Before you get any ideas about free beer, and head to Oxford wearing twenty odd ties, it’s worth noting that this tradition no longer carries on today.

The Bear has also featured in Inspector Morse, as has the Turf, the Head of the River and the Eagle and Child — that bloke sure liked his pubs.

I strongly suggest you follow in Morse’s footsteps, and let your own feet take you along the well-trodden pub trail of Oxford. Though I wouldn’t as strongly suggest following Bob Hawkes example … unless your time in the mother country has really, really given you a taste for ale.

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Maybe you haven’t noticed this, but I have because I am one of those elusive Aussies living in the UK, but – shock horror – not in London.  When I am back home, I’m always being asked, “How are things in London?” and, “When are you coming back from London for good?” I DON’T LIVE IN LONDON. And for the record, London and the UK are NOT the same thing.

There are, in fact, lots of Aussies living outside London. Lots and lots. However, we’re still in the minority — despite the number of times I hear a nasally ex-pat voice in the background wherever I happen to be (you know, the one that makes you think – I don’t really sound like that do I?).

If you fancy being somewhere where Aussies are fewer and far between, I’d suggest a move to another part of the UK. I live in Oxford, and I adore it. I have friends and relatives living in the capital, and though I’ve been tempted to join them from time to time, Oxford is where I have stayed. I am rather spoilt with London only an hour away by train, and Heathrow nearby too. So, although I admit that Oxford will never be London, it is the closest thing to having the best of both worlds.

Living outside of London lets you have a different experience of the UK, and possibly live in a way that isn’t possible in London (unless you have a significantly larger pay packet than mine).

For instance, I have a car. A Mini of course, I live in Oxford don’t you know? The Mini plant is about a ten minute walk from my front door. And that front door belongs to a house, rather than the flat which would be all my boyfriend and I could afford in London.

Living in a compact city like Oxford, you get it to know it on a level you could never know London. For all the times I’ve been to London, I feel I’ve hardly scratched the surface, and I’m sure most Londoners are only intimate with their own stomping ground. I know Aussies who won’t go south or north of the Thames river depending on where they live, let alone the natives.

I’ve been living in Oxford for about five years now, and in that time I’ve really got to explore every nook and cranny, and start to feel I know the place as well as a local — in fact I’ve probably seen more of the city and the University than most of the locals I know.

London is brilliant, but it’s not representative of life in the UK. I know of so many people who have come to the UK, spent their two years in London, travelled all over Europe, but hardly ventured anywhere else in Britain. Which is a great shame, because there is so much more to the UK than its capital, as mesmerising as she is.

I fell in love with Oxford the first day I arrived here, and many of you probably feel the same about London. So even if you don’t fancy upping sticks and heading out of the city permanently, at least consider visiting some other nearby cities and sights the UK has to offer during your time here. Did you know Oxford is only an hour away by train? Which is probably about the same as a trip from south to north of the Thames.

The post Fellow Australians, heed the call: there is life outside of London appeared first on Australian Times News.