This evening we put up the Christmas tree, after a lovely lunch out with friends.  This is Monster’s first Christmas with us and it was interesting to see what he would think of all the new-to-him decorations.

Monster was a bit unsure about all the boxes coming out from under the stairs plus the arrival of a tall green “tree”.  No one likes change in this house.  We are all creatures of habit.

BeAnne wandered about getting in everyone’s way, like she does.  She was just irritated that all the attention wasn’t on her.

Monster is very much a family cat – always around and always hungry.  He likes to be with us.

But this evening he was fairly nonplussed and left.

Once we had finished the tree construction and decoration, Monster returned and realised what Christmas is all about.

Basically it is for exploring the tree and understanding that every ball is for trying to knock off.  It is a cat thing.  Last year Wu got to the top!

We will have a sweepstake on how long this tree lasts upright.

Me? I give it 24 hours!

We have many days of storms/gales ahead now so today, in a brief lull, I went out with my “sleigh” for the last trudge around the shops before Christmas.

I was my own – family left behind with various chores needing doing – and I spent a lovely afternoon wandering around looking at the Christmas windows on the street.

Many of the shops had made a huge effort and it really helped me get into the Christmas mood, which I will admit I am severely lacking this year.

My girls are still featuring.  Always good to see.

When I came out of a shop, someone had turned on the lights.

Ok, they are a bit of a curate’s egg but the Norwegian Christmas tree at the Market Cross looked lovely.

So that’s me.  I’m done with shopping. I bought locally as much as possible and tried to support  independent traders.

Bring it on. I’m ready (sort of).

Now for the wrapping marathon.

We were all out first thing.  Now I was home, I wanted to make an executive decision about moving all the Shetland ponies, albeit two weeks early, to their winter field.

We moved them three at a time.  This was the first batch – Silver, Tiddles and Storm.

We had previously put the three girls in a small “haypark” while we trudged through their field with a variety of Shetland ponies.  Hetja is not a fan of things-Shetland so keeping her away was to make all our lives easier.

We also had to install a new gate.  There was help.

The next three to move were Albie, Newt and Waffle.

Lilja was thrilled to see her old friends.  I do sometimes wonder whether she would be happier with them rather than living with the stodgy Icelandic ladies.

And lastly, were Vitamin and Fivla who were worried they had been forgotten about and left behind.  They just about put on their own headcollars.

It was a long day with lots of walking but everyone caught, loaded and led impeccably which makes everything easier. No messing.

I think everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief to be together.

We kept going while it was still light and while were in a moving frame of mind we moved the home herd to a better field too.

We caught Taktur, Kappi and Haakon (perhaps the ring-leaders) and led them while I pushed the stragglers on.

So that was that.  Nineteen horses and ponies moved.  Cup of tea?  Don’t mind if I do. A job well done.

There was the usual routine this morning with my mother – up early to walk Teddy, her dog, on the surrounding golf course before the hoards of keen golfers appear. It’s ok – Mum has full permission from the owners.

Today was particularly beautiful.

A hearty breakfast, a kiss goodbye and I take a taxi to Terminal 5, Heathrow which is luckily only 25 minutes down the M3.

I was nicely early so I checked my luggage in praying I would see it again safe and sound in Shetland – there is about a 50% chance of that.

And then through security and onto the shops.

I had a bit of time so I did some Christmas shopping as well as window-shopping for myself. I went to investigate Panasonic cameras and it was nice to see the actual cameras “in person”, so to speak, rather than just a description or review on a website.  I decided which one I will want when the time comes.  My little camera is threatening me with grinding noises.

I wasn’t going to waste my time sitting down when there were shops to look at.

Beautiful, lovely shops that were way out of my league but I can look and dream.

Onto the first plane (a big one) flying up to Aberdeen along with every baby, seat-kicking toddler and tired parent in tow.

And then onto the little plane to Shetland if only for the free hot drink and everyone’s favourite, a Tunnock’s Caramel wafer.

I am safely home now but better still, my luggage came with me.  All is good.

Many years ago, in the dim and distant past, I went to school here.

Set deep in the heart of Jane Austen country, was Daneshill School, Dogmersfield Park, Hampshire.

I truly liked that school.  Although I was only there for year, it was the best. I went to four schools so I feel I can speak with some authority as to what makes a good school.

The school has since moved to other accommodation, after burning down (nothing to do with me, I swear) and the house is a very beautiful hotel, one of the Four Seasons group.

We drove over this morning and had a little look.  The staff were very kind and helpful.  They said I was the first ex-pupil to visit.

This was our library where we did our homework in the evening.

The stairs to the classrooms.

Mum sat in the gardens while I explored outside a little.  There was nothing much I remembered. I was only 11 when I was a pupil.

After our explorations, we popped into an antique barn on our way home.

I might have made a couple of purchases.

How could I not?!  Home tomorrow.