Scarborough Lights

So Chrissy (yeah - that's what they call Christmas here - bloody heathens! isn't x-mas good enough for them?) arrived last Saturday and Scarborough (the suburb we live in) had a wee festival to kick off the season. The day started beautifully with blistering heat and humidity that makes simple walking feel like swimming but unfortunately ended with a pisser of a storm that meant the carols by candlelight were cancelled - didn't stop the fireworks though...

Nara thought all the fuss was great - everybody smiling and loads of lovely lights and decorations to look at.






The parade was the main event and like a typical Irish parade there was a fire engine and a couple of trucks (I didn't bother to photograph them). I love the last photo above - it's very true to the laid back attitude that exists here on the Redcliffe Penninsula.

Just after the festival a storm moved in and it was a wet one!


We took shelter in the little cafe at the foot of our building. Nara dined alfresco while we enjoyed some Turkish bread and a couple of malt based beverages.


To finish off the evening there was a lovely fireworks display (the Christmas Carols were canceled unfortunately) and Nara was absolutely amazed by them.

Fair play to the community for making such an effort but in fairness there is absolutely no Christmas spirit here. Nobody says Happy Christmas. Shops are poorly decorated - streets practically blank and you can count the number of houses with lights on one hand. The shops couldn't even be bothered opening late - most close at 3 on a Saturday - 5 on week days, even this close to Christmas - is that a bad thing though?