We always try to have a family get together at Christmas but Sonya and family couldn't come to Brisbane this year because it was their turn to host the Curry family at their home in Melbourne. They had lots of guests for Christmas dinner.
In the meantime, Carol suggested we change our flights from going to Sydney to go to Melbourne instead. She booked a house on the Mornington Peninsula, where there were no fires. Carol and David flew from Sydney and we met them at Melbourne airport, where they hired a car and drove us to Rye. Bernie and Sonya met us there. They often spend holidays at Rye and they know the area well.
We met the grandkids and the grand dog and then settled into holiday mode. The boys had received a Nintendo for Christmas. It kept them quiet while we prepared to have another Christmas dinner and present giving.
 |
| They are a crazy, funny family |
 |
| Meanwhile we had a quiet Christmas with Carol and David |
So, some months ago we planned a family get together in early January. We hired an Airbnb at Culburra Beach on the South Coast of NSW. Sonya and family would drive up from Melbourne and we would fly to Sydney and be picked up by Carol and David and driven down to the South Coast to meet Sonya and family at Culburra Beach. Little did we know that catastrophic fires would put an end to our plans.
We kept looking at the fire maps and warnings as it got closer to Jan 4 when we were to leave for the holiday house. We discussed whether we should cancel. The host of the house assured us all is good at Culburra Beach. We checked the map:
We could see that both Sonya's family from Melbourne and us from Sydney could still get to the beach. However, each day the fires were getting worse and spreading. The prediction wasn't good.
So we decided to cancel our 7 day booking which had been fully paid for ($6320.00). However, the host would only refund 50% less $774 service fee. She claimed the roads were still open, which was true. So we decided to go direct to Airbnb and dispute the refund as their web page says a full refund in the event of a natural disaster. Lucky for us but sad for others, on 2 Jan everyone was ordered to leave the area and so our claim was honoured and we received a full refund.
The news wasn't good. People were having to escape the fires by huddling under wet towels on the beaches to avoid being burnt by embers and ash. The weather conditions were bad, windy and hot.
We were happy with the house. It was plenty big enough for all of us and the new dog.
"Chief" is a spoilt Border Terrier but very cute.
Let's get the party started. It is a week after Christmas but who cares when you are with the ones you love.
Prawns, ham and salads with lots of wine.
We received lovely gifts. The next day Bernie had organised us a trip to a winery for lunch and viewing of a sculpture park. ( next post where the weather surprised us)
Thanks for sharing your lovely belated Christmas with family. I am so glad that you got a refund from the Air BnB, and so you should have too. Always a bit of a worry when payment has to be made in full beforehand. Thank goodness you weren't affected by the dreadful fires. We have been fortunate too but feel for all those affected in some way but there have been many wonderful donations and hopefully things will improve for them but I do worry about all the animals and I'm not sure that our wildlife will recover.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wise choice to cancel, although I feel awful for those who have lost so much money from cancellations, needless or otherwise. It is especially so in our state where as soon as people hear the word Gippsland, they make assumptions and cancel holidays in some of the greenest and wettest areas, such as South Gippsland, close to where you met your family. After checking where Culburra Beach is, I would not have gone there either.
ReplyDeleteGood that you had a nice although belated Christmas get together. I think I can guess which sculpture park you went to, very close to where my Tradie Brother lives.
It's horrendous what has been happening there in Australia. I'm glad you were able to get your refund and that your alternative plans worked out. It is always good to spend time with loved ones while we can. xx
ReplyDeleteGlad you changed the plans for the holliday. It looks terrifying to see the fires everday in the news. Feel so sorry for you country.
ReplyDeleteHello, I am so sad about the fires and all the damage. It is good that you were able to get a refund and you found a new place to stay. Looks like a fun family vacation. Cute doggie! Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!
ReplyDeleteWe read with sadness of the devastation there in Australia from the fires. Glad your family gathering plans worked out in another location. We use AirBnB here. In fact we've booked the same house we stayed at last summer for an August week in 2020.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your family photos and so sorry you had a change of places, but it looks like a beautiful place to meet and meeting Chief would make my day. you look like you were enjoying the new granddog. the fire scene is heartbraking. I hope the rain comes and takes away the fire and prayers for all that were harmed, both human and animal. Christmas is a man made holiday, the date I mean, you can celebrate it any day you want.
ReplyDeleteDitto what Andrew said, the fires are a disaster in so many ways. I love that you managed to have a wonderful family Christmas catch up despite everything Diane, you guys are amazing 💛
ReplyDeleteWow! I am so happy you stuck to your guns and cancelled! And...I am so happy you were able to get your full refund and go elsewhere. Crazy to think that that host would rather put your family in danger to make a buck! UGH people! Cant wait to hear about the rest of your holiday! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteWhat difficulty you had in having a family get together, all that nerve wracking watching of the fire maps, those are harsh conditions to endure, those poor people huddling on the beach. That is great you eventually found a house to gather in. I am praying every day for rain for Australia to put out the fires.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you were able to change the directions of your holiday. The fires are so horrible. I can't imagine how awful it has been for everyone around there.
ReplyDeleteWho would ever have thought when you originally made the plans for your Christmas celebration that this disaster would happen! So glad you got your money back, but even more glad that you got to celebrate with your family. As you say, it doesn’t matter where you are, as long as you are able to be together! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThose fires are not good, I just keep preying for rain for you and all the animals as well. The news we hear is just so sad. Glad you managed to enjoy Christmas despite everything and delighted that you got your refund back Take care and have a good week despite everything. T'other Diane
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked out for you in the end but a stressful time for you all nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you were able to get together with your family. Judging by all the smiles you were able to have a good time. Being together would have been a great tonic with everything going on. I see the news daily about the fires. Such a horror for everyone affected, humans and animals. It is heartbreaking and I hope there will be some relief very soon.
ReplyDeleteAll turned out well then being with family.
ReplyDeleteYou were indeed very lucky to get all your money back, I bet many people didn't.
The fires are yet another huge wake-up call to us all. That does look like a fun large family, indeed, and I really like the cozy comfort I sense at the dinner table set for four.
ReplyDeleteYou were more than right to cancel your holidays "don't play with fire" we say to our children ! The most important is that the whole family can get together and apparently it has been very nice !
ReplyDeleteSo very glad you didn’t end up at the first place and of course glad you got your full refund. All the family gatherings look like so much fun. We agree that the date doesn’t matter, it’s being together that does.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to have the Christmas gathering. It doesn't matter a jot does it that its not on the exact day. Good fun and lots of love were certainly the order of each of your days by the looks! :D) xx
ReplyDeleteSohappy you avoided the fires and that you got a lovely holiday. I feel sorry for all those who have lost customers!
ReplyDeleteThe fires and devastation are indeed very sad but out of our control so I am glad you all got a Plan B together and got to enjoy your family time! What a fun bunch!
ReplyDeleteit was good to see that it all worked out in the end.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate that you changed your plans. Our holiday plans were disrupted too even though we were only going to a town 150kms away. Ian was sick the day we were due to leave and the next day the highway was closed due to the fires. It was opened the next day but by then it all seemed too hard so we spent Christmas as home. We will go in the next month or so to make up for the cancellation as it had been our original plan to spend some time and money in a drought affected community.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly awful/devastating seeing the fires and in Australia, my thoughts and prayers are with all affected.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased that you were able to get your refund and that your changed plans worked out.
I enjoyed your photographs, and it is always wonderful spending time with family and loved ones.
All the best Jan
The fires have certainly disrupted and destroyed so much that's is so sad to see on our news reports. While your plans were revised, it's good that you were able to get a refund vs. losing so much $ and that you could reschedule and find a place to all be together safely. Looks like a wonderful family time together, Diane.
ReplyDeleteGosh - glad yo cancelled your first reservation. What a nightmare! That pup is VERY cute!
ReplyDelete