A Northern Hemisphere Christmas

Having come from the Southern Hemisphere, there is nothing like a Northern Hemisphere Christmas. It's like all those cards we used to get years ago have come alive! Dark afternoons and evenings, candles, fir trees (not pinus radiata branches) lots and lots of lights, people rugged up, singing carols...somehow it seems more logical to be cold at Christmas, instead of being warm, sunny and waiting for it to get dark to view the lights.

Wreaths on doors are a big feature in Dublin, so many styles and so creative. Lots of white fairy lights in trees, outside and inside. Shops all lit up. And not all decorated from November, but in December.

There is nothing like popping into the French Paradox with friends for a Christmas drink, the fir trees with the wine glasses as decorations! Mulled wine! beautiful warm red wine, with spices and orange rind...

Going out, rugged up in a warm red coat, with hat pulled down over the ears, gloves, a scarf..steamy foggy breath as you laugh...peeling off layers as you enter a friend's house...hanging your coat on the pile on the newell post...

A quick walk in the park..seeing robins with their red breast, boldly 'bounching' up to you with an enquiring look on their faces, no fear of the cold

And of course feeding the deer sugar cubes down at Enniskerry was a delight!