Christmas Eve x2

Hi All,

So, gearing up for our first (my second) warm Christmas.

The place is full of Pohutukawa trees - the kiwi Christmas tree, which are lovely (see left). Unlike the more familiar northern Christmas trees that all look a bit forlorn in the heat!!

As Will mentioned, all Christmas shopping has been done and there was time for the beach (twice in two days!!). Lovely weather, lovely beach (if a bit odd in that the sand is black and sparkley). Had a couple of nice dips and a vineyard visit (doing reconnaissance for all our future visitors - nothing to do with personal enjoyment). It's nice to get out and about the Auckland area. There is a lot to do and a lot of lovely places to go.

We are now fully equipped with outdoor furniture and a barbecue (Christmas pressie to ourselves). Looking forward to a different sort of Christmas dinner. I find it a bit strange that people choose turkey, stuffing and all the stuff that is great when it's cold out but not so good when it's hot. We're planning a winter solstice dinner (21st June) involving such lovely things!!

Anyway, better go. Getting on for midnight and don't want to be bad people and get no pressies.

So that leaves for me to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

More photos to come - promise :)