Thought I'd do a quick update on our first Christmas - spent (naturally) on the deck, with a cider and the BBQ going full tilt. With photos on FB to rub it in back in Scotland

My best friend and stepson came over, and so there was the opportunity to show them the bits we love and see bits that were new to us.

My sister had a baby on the 28th - so I blubbed at 1.45am when I got the call and was sad the baby won't really know me and that I wasn't a part of it.

And it took a while to feel Christmassy, but we got there in the end. I actually thought at one point about not putting hte tree up...but I'm glad I did.

On the upside, we took our old friends to meet our new friends which was great. Boxing day BBQ, lunch at the beach and dinner overlooking Oriental Bay.

It is odd and unnerving and emotional because it's so different to a Scottish Christmas (and the Hogmanay was decidely sober thanks to the rain!) and I did miss my mum and my siblings and the excitment of all being together and the new baby.

And I would question whether having people close to us here for our first Christmas was a good idea as it was a bit disconcerting, but it was also great to have them there and have them say; "Yeah, I get it why you're here".

Glad to be back at work and back to normal.

Next step....building the new house!!

Glad it went well! At the moment in Scotland we have horrible weather ~ make the most of it