Christmas greetings. . . . . . . .

We are ensconced in my home town of Torquay in Devon 

on the southwest coast of England, ready to enjoy 

the Christmas holidays with family and friends.

Sending Happy Christmas greetings to you and your 

families and loved ones.

A dash of Christmas magic. . . . . . . .

Because we'll be so far away for the Christmas holidays, decorating

 is not happening around the cottage this year. It's somewhat sad for me

 as I do love that part of preparing for the festivities . . . . . . .but come

 next year I hope to be here dragging out all those boxes of ornaments from

 the attic, setting up my tree in the gazebo, along with lights, wreaths and

 fresh green garlands on the front porch.

At SuzAnna's Antiques open house last week,

 I did buy this beautiful golden reindeer (oops,
it's more likely a stag!) also the sheet music stenciled
 with a sweet bird sitting on a holly branch with the

French greeting,  Joyeux Noël.
I'm displaying them so at least I have a small touch
 of Christmas to look at this week. . . . . . 
. . . . . . and of course I'm enjoying looking at all the 
beautiful decor around your homes.

Home for Christmas. . . . . . . . .

Old painting of Torquay inner harbour, the Pavilion and Rock Walk

Surprise! I'm going home for Christmas.
 Yes, heading back across the pond again soon. 
Having booked a mid-December cruise in Europe - it departs from and
 returns to England - just before Christmas, we decided that taking another
 week and spending the holiday in my hometown definitely made sense.
 A chance to see family and friends, and share an English Christmas, is
just too good to pass up!

We've rented a different place to stay this time.
The arrow marks the building which sits atop one of Torquay's seven hills
 with wonderful views across Tor Bay, the harbour, my childhood beaches,
 and seafront promenade walks.

Those buildings were once beautiful old private mansions, then
 small hotels, and now have been re-built or renovated into modern
 condominiums and flats. 

We'll miss being at the usual lovely places where we've stayed,
 however they are rather a distance on foot from town and the harbour district.
 Without a car the walk up and down hills to get to a grocery store, restaurants,
 and town shops, is quite a haul, especially in inclement weather which may
of course happen. . . . . .it is England after all!

Will share more about the cruise later. It will include some
new to me countries and is aboard a favorite ship.