Happy Christmas!

Greetings, friends! Christmas is practically upon us, though it barely feels it. The weather in Shetland is mild and still, a little more like October than late December. We've haven't had more than a sniff of winter,... thanks to a few sleet and hail showers.

But I think Christmas arrived today. I went to a small and remote church on the far north part of the islands for a christening (baptism, actually). The tiny church in the little village of Ollaberry is situated close to the sea. I took a pugh next to the window so that I could look out across the water and watch the low sun shine in through the windows to cast a warm glow over the full congregation. Candles took over when the odd cloud slid past. It was perfect. The organist was a bit quiet, the guy singing behind me kept getting the words wrong, but apart from that it was nice.

Now, I'm warming some mulled wine and cider to have a festive drink before heading out to the watchlight service for yet another dose of the christmas message. Oh, how wholesome.

So, dear friends around the world, I hope you are having, or have had a pleasant christmas. May you have a wonderful 2007.