Happy Christmas, everyone!

This is my last post for the year and is to wish everyone a Happy Christmas or a Happy Holiday, whichever you celebrate, and every best wish for 2015.

My local beach, St Heliers, festooned by Pohutukawa

Here, in New Zealand, Christmas coincides with the end of the school and working year and also with summer holidays. It is a time for family gatherings and many families  celebrate the day with a picnic or barbecue at the beach.  The Pohutukawa tree, a native of New Zealand, blooms in November and December and is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree.  Its flowers are stunning, adorning the beaches around the country in a festive blaze of scarlet.

My very best wishes to you all.  I'll see you next year!