Two of our LiveWires are here for a few days and we went off to the beach as soon as they arrived, of course!
Photographing the photographer
Playing with the waves
Beautiful formation
This rendition of Auld lang Syne came my way this morning. I love Paolo Nutini and this version of a song I usually don’t really like is quite charming.
I am having the loveliest birthday! We started with the family tradition of croissants for breakfast, spent the day in Penzance just wandering the streets and had lunch out. We then spent a happy hour choosing paint for our soon-to-be-transformed hall, stairs and landing.
This evening we have had a fabulous dinner of Confit Duck with Miso glazed green beans and creamy mash followed by Alice’s Caramel and Chocolate Orange Tart, just scrumptious – all interspersed with lovely calls and messages and cards and presents and video calls so that I feel very loved and very happy! 
We have a glass cone ‘tree’ lit from the inside which I love. 
One of our presents this year was a scented candle (vanilla, my favourite) and a prettily decorated box of matches.
You may have heard of our New Year Honours List when people are awarded Knighthoods or other means of recognition. Some of the people are ordinary folk doing wonderful work in the community who deserve all the kudos given by such awards.
Some are not. In the face of such darkness, I offer you some words from Desmond Tutu.
I love how Primroses appear at the deepest part of winter, at the shortest day and go on flowering for months.
There are some beautiful, white, fluffy rare cattle on the cliffs at Godrevy, the Pendeen herd of Whitebred Shorthorns.
The sun shone for a few moments and lit up the lighthouse.
It has been a family tradition to go for a walk on the beach on Christmas Day, whatever the weather, since we first came to live in Cornwall when I was six years old. Yesterday, the sun shone and it was glorious! We were almost alone, with just a few dog walkers, walking on Porthtowan beach and heading, at the turn of the tide, towards Wheal Coates up on the cliffs.
As we turned to return, only the sound of the waves and the odd excited dog barking to be heard, we were astounded to see a hundred or more people had arrived while we were strolling. Then, all the more astonished to see them all race into the winter sea! 
The following video is a bit shaky – I was cold!
Choose love.
The Advent candle has burnt its way through December and we are now at Christmas Eve, nearly there and with excitement brewing in the LIveWires’ homes.
Advent candle
We were at the Gallery this morning for Christmas greetings and choccies! We passed a rather lovely wreath on the way back to the car park.
Christmas wreath in Penryn this morning
Rather than make lots of mince pies, it was easier to make a Galette Jalousie, not sure if you can see the gold lustre to make it festive!
Galette Jalousie
Friends have made their tree from offcuts of beautiful wood and allowed me to take a photo. 
Today I have made the beautiful mixture for brining the turkey tomorrow.
Listening to the radio while I am writing this, I have just heard some words from e e cummings, a writer whose poetry I love but words that were both new to me and the philosophy the pair of us live by. We waste no days!
Commentator Award
