Christmas Q & A

Thank you Hugh for your festive questions. I loved your questions and answers and thought I would see how mine would fare.

1. When did you first meet Father Christmas?

I am not sure how old I was here, maybe somewhere between 2 and 4 years. I’m also not sure that I look too impressed with this Santa as he looks a bit menacing.

2. Have you ever baked a Christmas cake?

Short answer, no. However, I love eating a Christmas cake / pudding and have had one this year already.

3. What’s your go-to karaoke song?

I don’t sing karaoke as I would give you a migraine! I have tried a couple of times as a student when we used to frequent a karaoke bar in Belfast called The Globe, but I would have to have had a lot of Dutch courage.

4. What’s your favourite Christmas tree ornament?

Our delightful fairy that we place on top of the Christmas tree. We have had her for a few years now and feel that she looks very Irish. She reminds us of home and has travelled with us back and forth to Australia a couple of times now.

5. Is this how Christmas makes you feel?

Happy and lost in the bubble of Christmas time.

December 19, 2025 11

Wordless Wednesday – Holidays are coming

December 3, 2025 7

December: A Tale of Two Seasons

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

My favourite month has always been December. Christmas season arrives, and with it comes office parties, mulled wine, decorations, and everyone generally being in good spirits.

Growing up in the Northern Hemisphere, December meant cold weather, dark evenings, and a cosy atmosphere that made Christmas feel extra special. That’s the version of the holiday that’s still in my head.

Living in Australia now, December looks completely different. It’s the middle of summer, and instead of coats and gloves, it’s all about heat, swims, and barbecues. I actually love the warm weather and getting outside as much as possible.

However, Christmas just doesn’t feel the same when you’re wearing shorts and a T-shirt and hearing festive music in the sun. It’s nice in its own way, but it’s not what I am used to.

Even with the changes, December is still my favourite month, just for very different reasons depending on which side of the world I’m on.

November 18, 2025 21

12 months and 12 photos (2024)

Another year comes to end, hard to believe right?! I love looking back through the months and picking a highlight, sometimes there’s more than one and sometimes it’s just the little things in life that stood out that month.

This was a quieter year for us with no holidays as such as we had just moved back to Australia from Ireland. We had to start from scratch, finding a place to live, buying furniture again and purchasing a car. This year was about fitting back into Aussie life and trying to save some money, whilst working hard and enjoying life at the same time. Luckily, we were fortunate to be able to fly home to Ireland for a month which was really lovely as I always miss the kids in our family.

That being said, I was happy to look back through the months of this year and see that we actually have done more than I first thought and it makes me appreciate that 2024 was a pretty good year.

**JANUARY** – Back in Sydney at the height of summer. I have seen this view hundreds of times but it never gets old. It was good to be back in Oz, we just had to find somewhere to live, which wasn’t the easiest thing to do as there is a severe housing shortage in Sydney.

**FEBRUARY** – we decided to move out of Sydney and look for a place in the Sutherland Shire, about 45 minutes south of Sydney. Luckily we found a place near the Royal National Park and a beautiful coastline. Cronulla beach is a 10 minute drive from us and perfect for beach walks and ocean swims.

**MARCH** – We visited our good friends in the Southern Highlands, an area that I have mentioned many times. We love this place for weekend getaways, lots of wineries, bush walks and cosy pubs.

**APRIL** – We tried our first ever puppy yoga! I wanted to do something different for Brian’s birthday and he loves dogs so this was the perfect fit. You practise yoga for 30 minutes and then the instructors release the puppies to run amongst you all. Needless to say, not much yoga happens thereafter. It’s also a great initiative for you to adopt a puppy as these are all rescue dogs looking a new home.

**MAY** – Good friends of ours from the Shire here just happen to own a barge and love to take trips along the Port Hacking River. We were delighted to be asked to come along, not once but twice on this idyllic river cruise. We dock at a local cafe for breakfast and then sail along the river, meandering through the different suburbs of the Shire. Very tranquil and great for wildlife watching.

**JUNE** – One of my favourite ever sunsets in Bundeena, a quick ferry ride over from Cronulla. I was excited to show friends this area and we were treated to this absolute spectacle. We used to come here for weekend breaks, now we live close by and can call over any time.

**JULY** – Home! It was great to be able to come home again for a few weeks. Belfast, when it gets the sun, is one of my favourite places to be.

**AUGUST** – This is the Grand Opera House Belfast. I worked here for a few years as a student and it was like my second home. I met Brian here also, so it holds many positive memories for me. For my birthday, I really wanted to see a show here and luckily for me, there was a Simon & Garfunkel story being told with all their music being performed. Right up my street! The Opera House had a major refurbishment lately so it was really enjoyable to see for myself, 20 years after I first started working there. I was always really impressed by the amazing architecture of this building, designed by Frank Matcham.

**SEPTEMBER** – Back in the Sutherland Shire and exploring the area even further. There are so many great suburbs here. This one is Oatley and the home to Oatley Castle. Not as grand as the castles we have in the UK and Ireland but still worth a visit.

**OCTOBER** – Our friends finished building their new home in the Southern Highlands. We were thrilled to be invited down to stay for the weekend. Just look at the view they have from their balcony with unbelievable sunsets.

**NOVEMBER** – We were fortunate to be invited to the hospital ball where I work. I had never been to a Christmas ball before so this was a big deal. All expenses paid and really fun to get dressed up for once. Best of all, the venue was 10 minutes from my home. Usually for us living in the Shire, everything is miles away, especially as many things tend to happen in the city.

**DECEMBER** – Attending the Christmas markets in Sydney at central station. This was a lovely day with friends where we had lunch, wine at a little wine bar on the side of the street, followed by the Christmas markets. They had stalls, food, drinks, Christmas music and snow!!!! This truly felt Christmassy and magical. I don’t often feel like it’s Christmas here in Australia as it’s so warm, so this was lovely to feel the joy of Christmas, at least for a few hours.

Thank you all for reading this post and all your support again through 2024. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the time with those nearest and dearest and I will see you in 2025 where I’m sure I will be partaking in Bloganuary once again.

Best wishes to you all,

Wayne

December 24, 2024 18

Back Down Under

Hello everyone! I want to share with you a massive change in my life of late.

We have decided to return to Australia after having been home in Northern Ireland for the past 16 months. By no means was it an easy decision but our time at home just isn’t meant to be right now.

Who knows what the future will bring but for now we are excited to be back in Australia and look forward to the next chapter in our lives.

Life is short and you have to live it to the fullest, no regrets. I look forward to sharing more of my life / travels in Australia with a few doors thrown in along the way.

We are dog sitting at present until we find our own property and will be spending Christmas low key with the dog and the sunshine. There will be no snow here for Christmas!!

Meet Milo, our little 4 legged friend who will be spending Christmas with us.

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy spending time with loved ones and making beautiful memories.

All the best,

Wayne ✌🏽

December 17, 2023 29

Doors of WordPress V71 – Christmas special 🎅🏽

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to a festive week of seasonal doors. I’m glad this week Dan’s Thursday door club is suggesting we show our favourite and / or festive doors. I have a few doors that I have collected over the past couple of weeks that I think really show some festive spirit in the lead up to Christmas. As always, please let me know if you have a favourite and I look forward to seeing all your doors also.

Personally, I have saved the best until last. This shop is the local florist in Hillsborough and has the most amazing creations made from twigs and twine (funnily enough). They also have some fantastic pieces of art on sale and manage to create spectacular window displays depending on the occasion. I think they have succeeded with their Christmas decorations and it looks even more stunning at night time.

I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying the lead up to the festive season.

Wayne ✌🏽

December 14, 2023 36

Wordless Wednesday – Seasons Greetings

Wayne ✌🏽

December 28, 2022 6

Merry Christmas 2022

Merry Christmas everyone from my family to yours and have a lovely time with your nearest and dearest ❤️

Wayne 🎅🏽

December 25, 2022 24

Doors of WordPress V30 🎄

Happy Thursday everyone and welcome to my 30th edition of Doors of WordPress!!! This week we’re showcasing some festive inspired doors, mine are all red as that’s the colour I think of when I envisage the Christmas season. I haven’t seen too many festive doors this week but I suppose it’s still early days. I love seeing all the Christmas wreaths on the doors too, a tradition that still makes me smile when I see it, so if I see any wreaths over the next couple of weeks, I will be sure to share them.

1 – Love & Death, a cool bar in Belfast city centre.

2 – St Malachy’s Parish Church, Hillsborough

3 – Hillsborough, I love this door, the frame and transom window, very regal in appearance and just beside Hillsborough Castle.

4 – Avonmore House, Banbridge. This house was built around 1791 and was the home of Francis Crozier, the Banbridge born polar explorer.

5 – Hillsborough, a great door and I love the Christmas wreath.

I hope you’re all enjoying the festive season thus far. I’m just working away and enjoying the build up, the Christmas songs and mince pies. I haven’t even started Christmas shopping yet, what about you?

Wayne ✌🏽

December 8, 2022 21

FOTD – Poinsettia V✌🏽

Happy Friday everyone. So, I have showcased this flower before but recently I have seen a different variety and it looks so much different in another season and another country. You can see my previous poinsettia here from March when I was living in Sydney. This flower is always grown as a potted plant and is often used as a Christmas decoration due to its bright red leaves. This flower definitely feels Christmassy, more so as it is now the Christmas season and it’s cold here in this side of the world, unlike when I had previously seen this flower in summer in Sydney.

Have you ever given or received this flower at Christmas? It certainly blends in with our Christmas decorations.

Enjoy your weekend guys,

Wayne ✌🏽

December 2, 2022 16

Share your World 28/11/22

Thank you PENSITIVITY101 for this weeks festive questions, perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.

Do you have any family traditions?

We normally celebrate Christmas Eve more than anything as we are 50% German in our household. We enjoy a raclette together as a family, basically it’s a small grill where we have lots of ingredients from meats, to potatoes to different vegetables all covered in a layer of melted cheese. It’s a great way to enjoy food and quality family time together.

2. With December on its way, have you ever been carol singing?

I remember carol singing outdoors in our home town with my school. I actually really enjoyed it and we even stopped outside my family home and sang a carol with my mum and baby sister watching from the front porch. That was pretty special.

3. Do you decorate your home for the Christmas holidays?

Absolutely yes! I love the Christmas decorations as they really make you feel warm, cosy and ready for the festive period. Normally we have a Christmas tree and a few little Christmas ornaments scattered around the living room. This year will be extra special as we are home to the cold weather and surrounded by family. We have been in Australia for the past few years and for us it hasn’t felt very Christmassy due to the heat and the attire being slightly different i.e. T-shirts and shorts.

4. Do you enjoy the Christmas rush for preparations and shopping?

This is a yes and no for me. I do like the atmosphere, people full of Christmas cheer and running about collecting my gifts, however, I really dislike queues and large crowds.

Roll on Christmas and the lead up to it! Enjoy your week everyone.

Wayne ✌🏽

November 28, 2022 16

Merry Christmas everyone 🎅🏽

I hope all my blogger and WordPress friends are having a lovely festive holiday period. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s a nice time to meet up with friends and family and have a well deserved break.

Enjoy your time off, wherever you are in the world. Hopefully everyone stays safe and can avoid covid. It’s a challenge these days to avoid coronavirus and escape having to get a covid swab, having to isolate and missing the festivities 🙈. I know a few people who have tested positive and unfortunately have to isolate over Christmas 🥲.

It’s still a little strange for us in Australia as it’s summer time here. As much as I really love the heat and being poolside, you can’t help but miss the cold back home, games with the family, cosy by a roaring fire and a pint of Guinness or cup of mulled wine.

Stay safe everyone and I hope you have a lovely time 🤗.

I can’t complain. The weather has been much better than anticipated. Staying at Peppers Estate in Kingscliff.

December 25, 2021 15