The Quirke's Christmas Celebrations.

This Christmas eve Jodie cooked up a storm as usual and we had an early dinner at home before joining the rest of the compound for our movie night. Due to rain we had it under Sam's house. Christmas day rolled around and finally the kids are old enough that we managed a bit of a sleep in before the assault on the Christmas wrapping began. Thanks to Santa and all his helpers and family the kids received plenty of surprises. We couldn't believe how good Santa must have thought they were and did he have the right Quirke's in Tonga???? Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and presents on Christmas.

You have to love these new camera's, especially time delay.

Christmas morning and a LLD (Little Lie Down)

This year we set up the tree in a different corner of the house.  The kids each have their own little tree Dylan decided to move his closer to the big on to see if some extra pressies may turn up.

 Em all tuckered out after opening all her pressies, soooo many books she was in heaven.

 Dyl stuck with the more traditional boy toys.

 You know you've made the smooth change to the Tonga ways when you get pluggers and tinned beef for Xmas presents.

 Em with her remote helicopter. DYl has one too but the Nurf gun was higher up the "Must play with list"

 Once breakfast was done it was off to next door for bubble's. Karen also wanted to see the excitement in the kids faces first thing in the morning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all.

The Festive Season is upon us!

Well it's been the festive season for sure this year! What will next year bring? Only time will tell. This year we've had plenty of Xmas parties to attend also including one farewell and one birthday party. We have thoroughly enjoyed everyone's company over the holiday period and are already looking forward to next year. We've posted just a small selection of our memories for all to enjoy. Merry Xmas and Happy new year to all. 

Jodie playing host at the TWISC Xmas party.

Santa even found the best little club in town (AKA The Nuku'alofa fishing club)

The adults hid in the shade of the sails and a good night was had by all, this also included prize giving for the recent TIGFA comp.

Sam, Dyl and Phasi cooked up at storm at the Tae Kwon Do beach Xmas party. Harsh views I know!

The girls getting festive at our compound function for family and friends.

In the middle of all these Xmas parties John and Annie (and Clancy) have decide to depart our shores to return to Australia for a while so we all headed to Cottage Breeze for a farewell dinner.

The girls kicking up their heels.

Oh well it was the silly season so Annie after a few Bubbles, decided to show of her party tricks.

Sal couldn't be upstaged so he took to the stage next.

Dee with the Irish version.

The boys were delegated to the back of the table to say goodbye to John.

Sal giving Sesi Jr a double home as Jodie and Rochelle read him the riot act about being responsible.

The Navy held a thank you Xmas function to thank the wives and kids for their support throughout the year. Nothing like a little notice (i.e. 1hr) when you are the guests of honour.. 

This is the most organised Santa line we have ever seen in Tonga but it didn't last long once the pressies came out.

John had one last trick up his sleeve to get us all together before they departed. Yep what else but a birthday party for the old man. They had it at Fresh their home away from home when it comes to breakfast. At a guess I'd say they had at least 5 breakfasts a week with Beau and her team. So why not celebrate your last meal there too. Charles and the boys put on a magnificent meal and free flowing drinks.

John giving his thank you and farewell speech.

Annie and Beau in their usual position at the Bar. Nice work girls.

Me, Dave, Cyril and Sal outside under the shade of the veranda. It was bucketing down initially.

Annie's touch - Bubbles for the boys and Leilani!

I assure you Tiny is just Tall I'm definitely not shrinking as I approach 40? This was taken at Touliki base for the TDS Officers Xmas party.

Finally, Xmas Eve had arrived and last year we began the tradition of Xmas Eve movie nights in the defence compound but due to rain we had this one under Sam's house.

Lyndon & Scotty Visit Oz for the TA Recall

For the first time in some four years all of the Technical Advisor's (TA's) and Maritime Surveillance Advisor's (MSA's) across the South West Pacific had a recall back to Canberra for a week long conference and NGN (New Generation Navy) training. It was a great chance to catch up with all the TA's and MSA's also some other mates through the week. I'm sure people were totally stumped from some of the topics we brought up over a few ales not to mention the questionable island dress codes. If you asked the other boys though, all Scotty and I did was talk about fishing stories and techniques. But I ask you what else is there when you live in a tropical paradise?

 Lucais had to make room for Uncle Scotty to do some God parenting!

 Lyndon showing Thomas how to eat ice cream!

 I think Lucais was onto Scotty by this meal.

 It doesn't get much better watching fishing shows, downloading fishing almanac's and drinking wine with mates.

 Ian and Bindy enjoying some kid free time.

Soupy thought his rugby days were over, Harry, Thomas and Lucais had different ideas.

We even managed to catch up with Rachel and Mr Tommy Tippee (AKA Linc) and the family.

There seemed to be a flowing theme for the week but this was one of our best days where we could actually leave the house in boardies.

Love after Tonga! or is that Life after Tonga? Oh well its smiles all round either way.

Dom and Hannah's Farewell Part 2

For the Walton-France's final day in Tonga we all headed over to Pangi for the day! You couldn't have asked for a better day! Lyndon even brought Blah Blah over to prove to Dom that she still has it. Fun in the sun was the main order of the day with the kids doing the usual fishing, ski paddling, snorkelling, jumping off the wreek, exploring the island, ski tubing and who knows how many other crazy things that we'll never know about!

Dyl wetting a line off Big Mumma's wharf.

Em has found a new way to use our surf ski. Paddle boards seem to all the rage, yep we have even seen two in Tonga.

Blah Blah moored up on the beach. No more swimming out a mile to pick up the big boat. See Jodie the glass is half full not half empty.

Mckee's, Walton-France's, Quirke's, Fineanganofo's and Bannon's

G rated you two! Can't do that in Windy Wellington!

Hannah and her babies - Evie and Pia (her house ladies daughter).

See I told you there are a couple of paddle boards in Tonga! This is Rochelle showing us how easy it is. Not that anyone else got straight up.

Lola had a go on the ski tube after all the kids had a bash (including a few locals) but Lola had the best stack of the day, arms and legs everywhere. She still came up smiling though.

Our Island Princesses! Hannah, Dee, Jodie, Rochelle, Jen and Lola

Oh what a feeling!! Who said white women couldn't jump? Even after wine.

The boys - Dom, Lyndon, Rugby John and Sal. Yep no need to jump we have beer.

The last WTF family Pangi shot.

Group hug. We miss you guys already but we'll see you next April.

What better way to leave Tonga than in 'NZ7" (AKA Bongo van, party bus or WTF Limo)
Goodbye guys thanks for the memories!