Christmas...

...was rather wonderful here in Sandness.

The kids were bubbling with excitement. The adults were all on good terms. (An important component to any holiday, yes?)

We began the morning with champagne and strawberries, Nat King Cole and marmite & melted cheese on toast.

The presents were thoughtful and often handmade. Santa delivered small treasures. We took the standard Christmas walk along a rugged coastline.

The food was lovely but not a display of belly swelling excess. The drink was varied and plentiful. We enjoyed a new episode of Wallace & Gromit, and just missed a special episode of Dr. Who (the only bummer moment of the day).

And the evening concluded with a rousing episode of "The Shetland Dance Off", a competition of interpretive dance featuring a selection of eclectic tunes. Maya and Sage were the primary competitors, each with several guises with decidely different personalities. We had a panel of celebrity judges, featuring members of the Irish clergy alongside Scottish former stars, etc. The show was hosted by D-Squared, a silver-tongued and easily impressed veteran of such competitions. And yes, the entire things was captured on video!

And, no, not a chance I'll be posting that here!

I do hope the day (or the Holiday Season in general) has/is going well for you also.