Christmas is approaching. Down here in New Zealand that means the Pohutukawa trees   are flowering bright red, the sun is setting just after 9 each night, and the kids have just finished the school year. It was a very odd experience last week to be sitting in the garden, wrestling with Go With The Flow’s instagram feed  as it happens, while the children I live with alternated between dips in the paddling pool and running inside to place a couple more strands of tinsel on the tree.

A Sandy Christmas

It’s a far cry from the Christmases I had growing up in the UK; instead of roast lamb and pavlova  (a kiwi dish of meringue, whipped cream, and berries) we Brits feast on turkey, Christmas pudding soaked in flaming brandy, and brussel sprouts (much to the disgust of anyone under 25 or so). We ate our meal crammed around a busy dining room table, with grey skies and often rain pressing on the windows. Down here this year we’re hoping to have an afternoon beach barbeque, and maybe spot some penguin or go for a surf.

In the North

Back in the northern hemisphere, Brody, Cristina, Kale and Harmony will be celebrating around a tree they first got six years ago. Harmony has never had a different tree; they got it when they were expecting her.

Wherever you’re spending the holiday season, and whatever your traditions are, from brussel sprouts to penguin spotting, Happy Holidays from all of us at Go With The Flow!

Written by: Kat Osei-Mensah