Well, that went quickly, didn’t it? I’m not just talking about this year, by the way. I’m talking about the first quarter of this century! How did that happen?
I remember wondering what the 2000s had in stall for us back in the ol’ 20th C.
But before we know it, we’re already this far in.
And as 2026 rolls of the forecourt, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Marylyn Monroe’s Death and the completion of Sydney’s Cahill Expressway are all now closer in time to the start of the Australian Commonwealth than they are to us.
Strange thought, isn’t it.
Anyway, the last month of 2025 was a lot of fun — probably too much, come to think of it.
Not one, not two, not even three, but four boat parties on Sydney Harbour, two celebrations of the 50-year milestone being reached, old friends in town, grand openings and more Christmas parties than we have sticks to shake them.
And of course, there’s the small matter of New Year’s Eve.
So sit back and enjoy our last Flavour of the Month of 2025.
Cheers and happy new year — Jim & Christina xx
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We kick things off with — you guessed it — a boat party! This one is courtesy of TravMedia, the unique entity that puts us and travel media like us in touch with the wonderful travel providers.
From government tourism boards to hotel brands and airlines to tour operators and independent entities, TravMedia has created an amazing industry network that everyone benefits from.
And at Christmas, some of us are lucky to be invited aboard the company yacht!
Even though it’s right at the start of December, the festive spirit is strong on the harbour this evening.
Thanks — as always — to the ever-generous Nick Wayland and the Trav team.
Tonight, we’re on dry land for another Christmas party, but only just.
We’re at the Balmain Rowers’ Club right on the water in Balmain. We’re here with the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce, who we’ve worked with a lot over the years.
Tonight is a triple celebration: Christmas, of course, but also the Chamber’s wonderful magazine Darling, which is marking its 5th birthday. Not bad since it was only supposed to be a one-off print in 2020.
We’re also saying goodbye to the outgoing president and welcoming Fiona Harcourt as the new head honcho.
The party’s a ripper, with free-flowing beer from Sydney Brewery (more on them later) and some outstanding rum-based RTDs from Red Mill Rum round the corner. And keeping us all bouncing around, the Grateful Dads rock out on stage.
Today, I’m out with the lads on another boat, this time just for giggles. We’re making the most of the perfect summer weather and are having a dip at Balmoral Beach.
The boat belongs to our excellent friend Michael, who’s kind enough to take me, Brett, Nim and Nev (plus a few of the kids) out for the day. A swim, a bake and a spot of lunch at the Boat House, and we discover that life doesn’t get much better.
This evening, I’m out with Brett yet again (people are beginning to talk!) and with us is Christina. We’re out at White Bay for an industry opening party (and Christmas party — why not!) for the new brewery in Balmain and Rozelle.
Where White Bay Brewery once was, Sydney Brewing Co now lives and I couldn’t be happier.
Not only are the beers better (and a bit cheaper) but this is a brewery that’s been near us since we moved to Sydney in 2004!
Once Schwartz Brewery down the road from us in Surry Hills, it became Sydney Brewery and moved to the Hunter Valley, represented by our wonderful friend Peter Hook. Balmain is now Sydney Brewery’s third venue (after Alexandria and Surry Hills), and they’re set to turn things up on this excellent site.
Not only is there plenty of food and beer going round, founder and owner Dr Jerry Schwartz is here with the current MP for the area Darcy Burns to cut the ribbon and make things official. Very exciting.
Today, Christina is with her lovely mum Jeanette at Muirfield, Jeanette’s golf club, for their Christmas party. It’s a lovely afternoon, but in under 24 hours, Christina and her mum will be back here, because…
Today Jeanette celebrate’s an amazing milestone: 50 years of membership! Chris and her mum are with Mary, Christina’s sister, and Jeanette happily receives her award from the club president. Congratulations, Jeanette.
We’re so excited to see our friends from the States today. We haven’t been in the same country as Mona and Brendan for years, and we can’t wait to catch up.
We head to a Sydney institution: Opera Bar. It’s the perfect day for it, made even better by the excellent weather. But we’re still faced with the challenge of keeping Mona and Brendan’s sweet little children awake. They’re two angelic little girls and they struggle with the jet lag of just having arrived from Florida.
They make it all the way through the Rocks Markets until they finally succumb, but next time we see them at NYE, I’m sure they’ll have a bit more energy.
It’s great to see everyone though. It’s been too long.
From Circular Quay, we head back home, get changed and head out to the pubs in Balmain for — that’s right — another Christmas party!
This one is with Christina’s jujitsu club, and by the time we get to the bar, most people are already a few beers in.
The night’s a lot of fun and I know this to be true as I can’t remember much of it! Inevitably, we end up in the Unity Hall Hotel where the band is in full flow.
I have no idea who that old geezer doing the crossword is by the way. Creepy vibes.
Today is a very special day: it’s Christina’s birthday!
We start off with a Champagne breakfast then head down to the Fenwick in Balmain East for a couple of coffees and a walk along the foreshore.
Then, it’s to the salon — Christina has an appointment with Stevie English. Her hair needs to be perfect for tonight’s party!
Christina’s birthday party is on the TravMedia boat we mentioned earlier. By luck or design (if design wins here by the way, I’m claiming it!) Nick Wayland has kindly offered his boat for the freelance writers to have a Christmas party at the same time, so Christina’s celebrations coincide with some of our favourite people and best friends – not to mention the creme de la creme of travel journalism.
I even get to hang with my doppelgänger Ben Groundwater again.
It’s a fantastic evening and everyone’s in fine form.
Tonight is — you’ll never guess — a Christmas party! But this is the one that everyone’s been looking forward to.
Hosted by our excellent friends Nim and Sunnee, this is the all-singing all-dancing shindig of the year.
Best of all, I get to see my football team again. We haven’t hung out since the end of the season, which seems like a lifetime ago now.
Somehow — probably because she didn’t stay up till 3am at Nim’s last night — Christina has made it out to another boat party today. This isn’t a Christmas party though; it’s a 50th birthday celebration for Christina’s sister’s husband’s brother-in-law Justin.
Justin has hired a beautiful boat and the family spend the whole day enjoying the harbour before pulling up for a few drinks at Barangaroo.
Because of certain parameters (such as the 3am above), I am unable to attend the party.
At long last, Christmas Day has arrived, along with our superb friends Kath and Jarrod. These guys have had a really tough couple of years, so they’re ready to really dig in and relax. Kath has not only brought more food than anyone can possibly eat, she’s done it with real style.
Homemade bento boxes filled (and I mean really filled) with sashimi, salmon roe and edamame, and separate pots of the freshest, juiciest prawns we’ve had.
After lunch, we tackle up for a fishing session — something else that Kath and Jarrod have provided. Of course, we don’t catch anything until almost the very end of the day when I haul in another bloody eel.
If you remember, back in March and the last time Kath and Jarrod were here fishing, we caught a moray that bit me when I tried to release it. Well, let’s put it this way, I got my revenge this time!
Once we’ve packed up the gear, we head up to our apartment or Christmas dinner, though I have no idea where we’re going to fit more food!
Instead, we get stuck into a game of Boganology (we all have to bail Kath out more than once) until the rest of the party arrives. Christina’s sister, brother-in-law, and our nephew and his girlfriend turn up.
Finally, some people to eat the food!
It’s a great evening and exactly what we all needed for the crescendo of Christmas.
Today — the day after Boxing Day — is a mercifully slow day. Christina and I do a bit of tidying but really, we only have enough energy to set up in the garden for a drop of wine and a game of backgammon.
Peace, once again, has returned!
I’m never too sure how much I like New Year’s Eve; Christina and I have very different opinions on the last day of the year.
This year, however, feels different.
I think it’s because we’ve got so many of our friends around us — and they’re all staying with us, which means we don’t have to go anywhere!
Not only is our lovely friend Sharon here from Tasmania, Mona, Brendan and their little girls are also here for the celebrations too!
We have a picnic in the garden with our superb neighbour Bec and her friend Sheree. Better still, Christina’s sister, our brother-in-law, and their son and his girlfriend arrive too.
We eat and drink until it’s time for the 9pm fireworks… then come back to finish the job!
The fireworks at midnight creep up on us almost without us noticing, but the show is unforgettable.
What a way to see in 2026. Happy new year, everyone!
Jim & Christina xx
