But Santa's helpers come first. And (as last year) one of them is Peter Carter, here seen behind Michelle. Peter is an old family friend who came to Kelly & Glenn's wedding at Port Douglas. Peter, in this act, is a bit more the bagman, collecting donations for the bush fire brigade's fire station.
While awaiting the arrival of Santa, another (i.e. apart from the Johnson powered sleigh) unusual watercraft passed by. It's a pedal powered boat. It's not obvious in this still image, but the "rower" is pedalling. I presume the pedals connect to a prop. As some of the houses upstream are accessable only by water, this makes sense as a vessel for a quick trip to the store. As well as getting some leg exercise. Though the traditional rowing style is better from an exercise point of view, as it involves all the bodies big muscles, not just the thigh.
Santa's sleigh approaching the landing next to Cameron's boatshed. Santa seems to have lost a bit of weight! He's also wearing a wetsuit, just in case. And note the nicely decorated nozzle, cunningly disguised as a Christmas tree. And Santa's helper is holding the supply of gifts for the youngsters.
Santa has just given Jake his present, while Jake offers a small contribution to the bush fire brigade. Yvonne holds Trinity - next in line for a present - while Flynn looks on from the top step, absorbing all the action.
Then with a wave, Santa is off across the river to visit the families on the other side.
A canoeer who's not looking where she's going - being distracted by Santa's sleigh. Perhaps she is a newcomer to this annual event. But there are obstacles (such as wharves, moored boats) to watch out for on this river.
After the excitement of Santa, the more mundane aspects take over. Here is Bella, who quite liked this cubby house which Jake and Flynn still use.
By now it was time to go our separate ways. Stephen and Nicole departed for their next family engagement, while Cameron, Michelle, Jake and Flynn went to Cameron's brother's home for the Crofts family dinner. As it turned out, it was not far from our destination for family dinner, which made it easily for all us to reunite later in the afternoon.
Christmas Morning
2006