Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 7th December, 2018)

I like the scene Mick - nice tempo.
And yonder Christmas tree will also do for me; a nice balance of foliage and decor'.

Much more traditional,just short of a bit of snow

That's more like it! A real tree and the lovely smell to go with it.... It's Christmas...... Nearly!

That's much better than yesterday's scene...it feels warm and vibrant and alive. But that's only my opinion; we all see things through different eyes.

Where's the Sally Ann? Their Brass Band could have made a tidy sum there.

Many years ago I was in a Pub in Wigan with a group of lads from work. After a while the conversation came around to the Salvation Army and one of our number was profuse in his praise for the organization saying things like "The Sally Ann do a fabulous job, I would give them my last penny". Unfortunately for him just as he finished speaking in walked two members of the said organization collecting for the good cause. After much derision from the assembled company he was forced to make a large contribution and spent the rest of the evening trying to cadge a drink from the rest of us.

https://youtu.be/dphBj7kAPZo

Old Hall Brass playing at Haigh Stables

Love that, DTease! I remember my Dad bringing me a copy of "The War Cry" magazine in the days when The Sally Army went round pubs collecting, and I used to love the bonnets that the lady members wore.

The Salvation Army do marvellous work , especially at Christmas. Here in London where I now live , they are competing with so many other charities, different buckets pushed in your face every single day , throughout the year , it can easily get overwhelming. In the supermarkets they help you with your shopping in return for a donation . When you leave you get another bucket . Of course all are worldly causes , but the guilt to miss one out ? With beggars on crutches from far away lands and doorways full of the homeless the tradition and spirit of Christmas seems to have been lost .. Preparations now begins months ahead and before you can blink they are talking about the sales . The Salvation Army here in London will give a Christmas dinner to the homeless, and God Bless them for that , but, I must confess personally, as I grow older , and look around , I do not look forward to Christmas, I find it especially depressing. Sorry to all for being so negative . Thankyou Michael for your picture

And , I haven’t ever seen this level of drunkeness . Why people wish to drink themselves to the twilight zone , I have never understood, simply because it’s Chrismas ?
And then do the same at New Year . This sounds like what a prisoner would do after begin locked up for ten years . Is this the
pressure cooker release people neeed , every year ?l

Busy picture mick, good feel. Christmas as it should be, enjoy a sing-a-long, we know all the words. Incidentally what would a pint of beer cost at that function.

Joseph and Mary we’re foreigners, seeking shelter in a strange land.
We are all only a disaster or an accident away from being in the same situation.

FANTASIA ON CHRISTMAS CAROLS

It was on a silent, silent night,
Amid the winter snow.
In the bleak midwinter light,
Many Christmas Eves ago,
That I saw three ships go sailing by,
Sailing by on the searing swell,
And I wondered if Emanuel had come to thee O Israel.
So Hark! The herald angels sing
That on each ship stands a royal king
All hailing from the Orient are,
Guided by a single star.
As in David's royal city they docked,
While the shepherds watched the faithful flock,
To the little town of Bethlehem,
Where rested the merry gentlemen.
And I thought I heard a jingled bell
On Christmas day, On Christmas day,
And I thought I heard a jingled bell
In the icy air
On that First Nowell.

Good compilation of carols Poet.... My favourite carol is 'O Holy Night' especially when sung by Pavorotti and Placido Domingo - beautiful.

A lovely carol, Veronica.
My favourite version is O Helga Natt when sung by Sweden's Jussi Bjorling.
I must admit, though, it also sounds great, when sung in French.

Veronica,it's my favourite Carol as well,it never fails to bring a tear though,especially the line "down on your knees"..as you say-beautiful.

Maureen/Philip Jussi Bjorling's version - superb! As is the Canadian Tenor's and Josh Grobin' s English. I also love hearing a Welsh Male Voice choir singing the carol as well. It 'transports' the spirit !

Veronica,I have the C.D 'Angelis' and Natalie Chua sings it beautifully.
Nothing to do with Carols,but she sings 'Even though you're gone',I like to think of my Brother with that one.

Sounds soothing and comforting Maureen.....