Christmas Day wild swimmers, Portobello

**UPDATE This photograph of wild swimmers was chosen by the BBC for its selection of Pictures of Scotland on 1st January 2021**

Despite the pandemic restrictions (or perhaps because of them?) Mr hazelh and I have enjoyed an absolutely fabulous Christmas Day.

Our first task of the day was to return Paddy and Caitlin’s car to Portobello. They left it outside our house after last night’s dîner en plein air under the yarden blanket tent. Since Paddy and Caitlin planned to go for a swim at 08:00, we timed the car delivery so that we could also join them on the beach for a short while. What they didn’t know was that we were also bringing with us Paddy’s childhood Christmas stocking, stuffed to the brim with presents for the pair of them. We explained that Father Christmas was rather confused and had accidentally delivered their stocking to our flat last night...

Our few minutes on the beach together were magical, helped along by an amazing sunrise (see the extra). I took several pictures of Paddy and Caitlin in the water. This (accidental) one is my favourite. It reminds me of a Damien Callan painting: see https://www.damiancallan.com/

We had considered running back from Porty to our house, but instead took the warmer option and walked the 4 miles. Home by 10:00, we opened our few (but fun) presents, then started preparing our Christmas dinner. Mr hazelh loved his 12 Days of Christmas beer puzzle. I gave him 12 cans, each of which is associated with a line from the carol. (I may have had some help from Paddy in putting together the box of beer...)

The fun really started when Katharine and Jack arrived at 14:00. First we had drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the sitting room (Champagne supplied by Jon, smoked salmon pâté vol au vent made from the accidental ‘cream cleaner’ purchase of Monday), then dinner in the kitchen, followed by music in the sitting room, then back to the kitchen table for a game of Catan (which Mr hazelh won), and cheese and biscuits. Katharine and Jack headed home at about 22:00. For about an hour after their departure, Mr hazelh and I continued to party with dancing in the sitting room.

In between all this we joined in various calls with family members, and continued to update everyone on our festivities by WhatsApp and Facebook.

Exercise today: 4 mile walk; dancing.