Untitled


		And the story so far...

	We have been a bit slow with the updates, but we promise to get better! This is the absolute latest.

	Second report from the land of the midnight sun...(yeah right!)
	The land of the midnight sun they said? Just contact Dad and ask his opinion. With a sunrise at 9.30am and a sunset at 2.45, one can hardly raise much of a suntan. By the time Dad got up in the morning and struggled to put on several layers of clothing, pausing to complain at each layer, walking the stairs to finally reach the -8 deg. outside, it was time to come back home. But the Bench parents and Calvin came, saw, froze and conquered. Mum dazzeled them with such gems as "Bunkum" "Fair Dinkum" "Goodonya" and "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oj! Oj! Oj!". She had the locals totally wondering if Australians could actually speak English. But the tone of her voice(really loud) had them nodding with understanding and approval at all times(they were shit scared I think). Meanwhile Calvin was busy collecting phone numbers and addresses from all the young Swedish girls flocking to meet yet another fine example of the Australian male like his Dad. Calvin's first problem to overcome in Sweden however was how to put a coat over a jumper so the sleeves don't roll up and cause discomfort, not a common problem in Townsville. "Hold the sleeve in you're hand Calvin", "Ah Ha!". While Dad was taking a break from complaining about the cold, he attempted feats such as driving on the other side of the road in the snow, skiing, driving dog sleds and snowmobiles and standing outside in his shorts. I am sure he will start bragging about his holiday next month when he is discharged from the frostbite unit at Brisbane Royal. He caused upproar at the Ice Hotel in the Arctic Circle by trying to smuggle a electric heater into his ice room causing a major meltdown, but that report could be confused with the unsubstantuated rumors that he actually cheated and slept in the heated hotel wardrobe (the eyewittnesses were drunk). (It was Sofia's fault for buying all those vodkas in ice glasses) There are also unconfirmed reports of "moons" shining over the ice bar, but once again the eyewittnesses were drunk.(hence the moons?..Maybe?) Calvin meanwhile, was not happy to learn that he could not take any ice glasses home to Australia as Thai Airlines had not secured him freezer storage and so he had to give up his collection. He did however master the local scooters without wheels, across the ice and snow. Christmas day was one of the season's highlights, and with 7 nationalities and languages and 25 people, it was a huge event. Complements to Ioanna and Kebbe for another outstanding party hosting. With everyone bringing their favourite dish there were some outstanding highlights. Swedish meatballs (naturally), ham, turkey, potatoes, potato dishes, potato spirits, chips,(potatoes are popular here) beet root dishes, pickled fishes, and numerous other additions. This was followed by an amazing array of home made sweets and chocolates and Mum and Dad producing two big Aussie pavlovas with creamed Townsville mangoes, supplied by Calvin, and passionfruit smothered all over. Nevertheless, all things end and the travellers have all taken a favourite piece of Sweden back home. Mum with some flavoured teas, chocolates and t-shirts, Calvin with a huge bottle of pickled cucumbers, and Dad just wanted to go home. I can just imagine him now, running naked around the farm at Kallangur. See you for the start of Spring! Gary and Sofia