Australia Day Antics

To all my Friends, Australian and not, I wish you all a HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!!

Australia Day is a National Public Holiday, which is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.  It’s actually only a recent occurrence for it to be celebrated as a public Holiday for all of Australia’s States and Territories, in 1935, the date was marked with the Australia Day name, not until 1994 did they begin to celebrate Australia Day consistently as a public holiday on that date.

For the average “Aussie” it is a day to celebrate with Friends, usually a backyard BBQ, beers out of the Esky, backyard Cricket and Fireworks (official, as you can’t buy them legally here) most people will say it’s to celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australian. It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It’s the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

Today is Day 26 of my Blog Challenge.  I was a little stressed as I hadn’t finished my day 25 post and had a Day out planned with friends today.  I let myself off the hook, made myself relax and went out regardless.  I needed to have a day to let my hair down.

Here is how it started on the tram to our Destination, “The Anglers Tavern” on the Maribyrnong River, seriously, I can’t watch this without laughing.. we were so carefree and looking forward to a fun day!

The day started out overcast and coolish, I had a scarf and jacket on.  WELL, Melbourne decided that we needed a beautiful Day.. My goodness the sun came out, we had great music, awesome friends around, the drinks were flowing.. such a wonderful Day.

I haven’t laughed so much in sooooo long.  I has to be one of the first times I have felt accepted.  That I haven’t felt the focus of criticism and judgement.  The thing is, NOTHING has changed, NOTHING is actually different.  No one has said anything, acted or treated me any differently to before.  Why is this? What has changed?  The answer, is ME.  I feel that I belong, I feel at home, I feel content and I feel happy.

My good friend Jodi captured how the day felt to her in FB post with Photo’s from the afternoon, here are her Words “Straya day antics 🇦🇺 shenanigans and stupid shit , just the usual … a bra came off at one point, too many selfies and photos, waaaaay too much drinking, too many girls verses one guy, a lot of flirting with the crowd and a little bit too much sun  ” I have had messages from some of the others who were there and they feel the same.

We then ended the day with an amazing Seafood Platter at the Crown Casino, a Purple Fairy Cocktail (or maybe a few), a few bets on the Roulette Table,

Purple Fairy Cocktail, Persian Fairy floss topping NOM NOM!

and then we Danced the night away at the Spice Market Night Club.  OMG, I have Drunk and Danced and Sang and Partied enough to last me for six months.. LOL.  My feet are currently soaking in a Peppermint foot bath and I am on a Cleanse for the next few days to DE-TOX!!  However the memories from this day will make me smile for eternity.