If Novocastrians are two degrees, Newytweeps are half - ABC Online

As the little girls happily frolicked and babbled, we'd chat about all manner of things, from our experiences working in the UK, the dilemma of when to send little boys to school, and settling into a new town, Newcastle.

My new friend Sarah had moved her young family from Sydney to Newcastle a year prior.

It didn't take long before we invariably worked out our degrees of separation, as Novocastrians have a want to do!

We were delighted by the realisation that our husbands both worked at the same company. This allowed us another catch-up opportunity minus the kids.

We'd check in with each other to see if either was going to the work-do before committing.

I credit Sarah, also known as @maya_abeille, along with two other Newytweeps, @newcmum and @abissicus, for getting me going on Twitter.

I was working from home in the communications field and knew it was time to get on board – they gave me the nudge I needed embracing my presence.

Little did I know I was joining a wonderfully vibrant, intelligent and lively community.

Of course it soon became evident that @newcmum already followed @abissicus who already followed @maya_abeille!

That's Newytweeps for you!

Thanks to Twitter and these lovely ladies, I am now more in touch with Newcastle happenings than ever before.

Over the next three years @maya_abeille and her young crew will be living in Canada, so we will be relying on Twitter and Skype to stay in touch.

We Skyped for the first time this weekend.

The kids really enjoyed seeing each other and swapping stories - the girls compared their hair length and the boys, their latest Star Wars acquisitions.

A blossoming friendship has been consolidated thanks to Twitter.

I'm sure this relationship would not have developed in such a meaningful way if not for Twitter and I'm sure it wouldn't survive the three years and the 1000s of kilometres.

Thanks @maya_abeille for showing me the ropes... the lack of good coffee in Canada is duly noted and the quality local blend is on its way. I'll DM you on dispatch x

This post is part of series of guest blogs around the theme "When Tweeps Are Your Peeps", started following the #NewyTwistmas party in the Hunter region. Keep following over the coming weeks for more.