Andy in new Liverpool strip

Both of us were working hard in the run up, and in the last few weeks before the ‘holidays’ I only had 1 day off due to extended opening hours – ah the perils of working in retail during the festive season! We had one chance to buy all out presents in the middle of December when we both had days off together we went through to Mackay for two days for a shop-fest. If you imagine that shopping in Mackay is nowhere near York/Leeds/Hull standards then it was a tricky task! You really do appreciate visiting a big city when you have lived out in the ‘bush’ for so long!! I’ll be salivating when we go to Sydney!! Using my initiative I also ordered some presents from UK online shopping websites to save on delivery costs, cunning! It took forever to weigh, wrap and write customs forms, as well as writing Christmas cards so it was a relief to finally get to the post office with my huge pile of presents. Little did I realise that I would have to call to get a bank loan first in order to post the bloomin’ things!! It cost an absolute fortune to send the presents, more often than not the cost of posting was far more than the cost of what was inside! But must remember that the joy is in the giving of presents and I know they were appreciated when they finally got to England!! Mental note for Christmas 2006: Gift Vouchers!!