It’s eight in the morning, a day like any other day at the moment. The lamb roast is in the oven, slowly cooking, ready to be transported later to Wellington, where we’ll share it with our son shortly after mid-day.

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A small piece of ham, a bottle of bubbly, chocolates, a pack of New Zealand cheeses and a few strawberries from the garden help make up a hamper to be consumed together over the next few days.

The presents are wrapped, not so many this year, as our money has gone into other happenings. It’s not about the presents, it’s about our family, the three of us, being together this year. Things could have been quite different.

The neighbourhood is quiet, not many around just yet. The young fellows in the house nearby celebrated well into the night. Christmas carols from the TV filled the room earlier, now the image of a peaceful Christmas is spoiled by world news, road deaths and other non-Christmas events.

It’s not quite a two hour drive to Wellington, the capital city. We’ll be having our Christmas meal in a lovely little cottage, built in the 1880’s, a neighbourhood with character.

The food, hamper, presents all have to be carried up a few steps and along the path. The cottage used to be the servants quarters for the old house in front. A lovely place, just the right size for one. I’m sure it can tell many Christmas stories from years gone by.

After we’ve eaten, we’ll probably follow a family Christmas tradition, from when we too lived in Wellington. We’ll drive around the bays. Some years the weather has been stormy and we’ve watched the waves crashing onto the rocks. Today it promises to be more peaceful and we’ll watch the inter-island ferry carrying passengers south, travelling to families or setting out on their summer holidays.

We’re spending two days and nights in Wellington, a place we love no matter what the weather. The city was quiet last night we’re told. Most Wellingtonians leave town heading away to family gatherings and holidays throughout the country. There’ll still be things to do, places to visit together, old haunts and new.

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We’re looking forward to seeing the pohutukawa trees, the New Zealand Christmas tree, with their bold crimson flowers. We’ll walk on beaches, drink coffee and wine, eat and laugh together. Such a wonderful way to spend time together. A lovely two day break.

Our cats will be looked after, fed, pampered while we are away. They’ll still be pleased to see us on Sunday, a welcome home team asking where have you been?

I hope you too are looking forward to small delights this Christmas. Take care and enjoy the company of those around you.

Merry Christmas to all from New Zealand.