Sandra,

      Sorry I disappeared for awhile. I'm new to your country and not used to your customs. While doing some research in rural a pub with a fellow Scout Elf but staying hidden, I spoke within a crowded room and said, "Where does one relieve one's self around here?"
      A fellow looked up from his beer long enough to jerk his thumb toward the rear door and said "Outback." and went back to drinking.
      I slipped out the back door, and liiking for a port-a-john or the like and seeing nothing, I kept on walking.....and walking.....and walking. Giving up and taling care of things on my own, I tried to find my way back and couldn't, hiking in what seemed like endless circles until I finally figured I'd shed all pretensions of secrecy and ask an aboriginal native wandering in a seemingly random manner himself and whom I figured wouldn't be caught up in Christmas lore or blow my cover. He seemed startled at first to see a somewhat height-challenged individual shouting and waving at him and ran behind a rock, probably figuring out whether I was something to be feared, hunted or God knows what else.
      His curiosity finally got the best of him when he figured out what I was shouting was in some sort of English, found out eventually that I, too, was on some sort of walkabout, and kindly took me some ways out of his way to a road that he said would lead me back where I came from.
      My elfin companion, fearing I was dead, had gotten back to Santa and related his fears. After I finally showed back up at the secret regional Elf Hostel, I finally got back to Santa, who had been having some difficulties himself, finally shipped you the present that had been ready, after giving me a stiff rebuke and a small fine of course.
      So, it IS well on its way with possibly more than originally intended, as I'd not given Santa the final edited version of the list. Hopefully, it will still make it by Christmas, but you will have no regrets, I assure you, when it does arrive. Please put in a good word for me to Santa when you receive it.

My Sincere Apologies,
Elfish Presently Jr.
Probationary Scout Elf