Well, what a difference a week makes. I had already written my Christmas post but just about everything in it is now obsolete. The five day Festive Bubbles are no more, and for much of the country, no Festive Bubbles at all. I think it was the right call, but for us up here in the Scottish Highlands it’s tough, as we have had a really low infection rate throughout. DD will no longer be going to the boyfriend’s parents for Christmas, so although I said we were going to be on our own for the very first time, not now the case. I do feel for the other set of parents though as they have rarely seen their offspring all year. Cross fingers with vaccines now being rolled out, things will start to improve as we head into Spring.
I have been out and about over the last few days and have taken a fair few pictures of the town, which despite ‘the times’ is still looking very pretty. Here are a few of them, and I’ll subtitle them with a few of the songs we used to play regularly around this time of year, when DD was small. All from festive CDs that are now largely redundant, as we no longer have anything to play them on!
Our Town House looking very festive
Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt:
A Memorial Hall brightly lit for Christmas
Do You Hear What I Hear? by Jack Jones:
Seasonal chandeliers in the Victorian Market
Christmas Cookies and Holiday Hearts by Teresa Brewer:
The footbridge that stretches across the river
I Saw Three Ships by Westminster Abbey Choir:
As for the song Santa Baby, it proved just a bit too suggestive for some Southern States when it was released in 1953, but has become a perennial favourite and been covered by many, many artists including Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Gwen Stefani.
Despite ‘the times’, A Merry Christmas to everyone who drops by this place. I am no Eartha Kitt, that’s for sure, but I do like having people drop by and leave their thoughts. And as you all know by now, I always reply.
Until next time…
Santa Baby Lyrics
(Song by Joan Javits/Philip Springer/Tony Springer)
Santa Baby, just slip a sable under the tree,
For me.
Been an awful good girl, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa baby, a 54 convertible too,
Light blue.
I’ll wait up for you dear, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Think of all the fun I’ve missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven’t kissed.
Next year I could be just as good,
If you’ll check off my Christmas list.
Santa baby, I want a yacht, and really that’s not
A lot.
Been an angel all year,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa honey, one little thing I really need,
The deed
To a platinum mine,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex,
And checks.
Sign your ‘X’ on the line,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.
Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s.
I really do believe in you,
Let’s see if you believe in me.
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A ring.
I don’t mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Hurry down the chimney tonight.
Hurry, tonight.
What's It All About? 
Great photographs and a fab set of Christmas songs, Alyson. A Merry Christmas and a happy & healthy New Year to you and yours.
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A Merry Christmas to you too Lynchie from Aberdeen! Let’s hope there will be a return to a semblance of normality in 2021.
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Absolutely beautiful photos. Even with the virus and all it would be difficult not to get in the holiday spirit surrounded by those stunning places. I’ll take the Kitt version of Santa Baby over all the other pretenders. The take by Taylor Swift is particularly terrible. It always bothered me that she was about 17 or 18 when she sang it. Impossible for someone that age to get into that particular character and it showed by the lack of passion in her performance. Happy holidays to you and your family.
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Merry Christmas to you and your family Brian. Yes, the pictures turned out well. We went out when it was light but it got dark by 3.30pm so good for the ones with lights.
As for the songs, we had a few CDs that got played lots at this time of year and those songs have stayed with me – DD was a great fan of Christmas Cookies and Holiday Hearts as a little ‘un. Haven’t heard Taylor’s version of Santa Baby but can imagine it would just sound all wrong. It would have to be sung by an earthy woman like Eartha to make it work!
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Hi. A good Christmas song that I heard today is Louisiana Christmas, by Aaron Neville. I think you’d like it.
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Will have to look out for that one Neil. I’m not sure if you partake of the festive celebrations but Merry Christmas to you anyway.
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Hope you all have a good Christmas even though not quite as originally planned. Lovely to see all the photos here, and how festive and colourful your town is looking. Plus it’s great that you’ve got out and about! (Must remind myself what that is some time – hopefully soon!)
Eartha’s version of Santa Baby is definitely the one for me.
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I don’t think many plans are quite panning out this year. Hope you have a lovely day with Mr SDS with nice food and drink. Simple pleasures this year and counting our blessings.
Looks as if I’m a bit of a gadabout but had to go in to town for a few things this week and took a few pictures. I told the girl on reception at the hotel that I had a blog and would she mind if I got a picture on the staircase – I didn’t mention it was a music blog but anyway, it’s the Royal Highland Hotel right next to the railway station.
Yes, gotta be Eartha’s version.
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Lovely pictures. Have the best Christmas you can, Alyson. Here’s to a better 2021.
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Yes, Merry Christmas to you and your family too Rol. Definitely wishing for a better 2021.
PS – I hope Santa doesn’t leave too many skateboards for the kids in your new neighbourhood!
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Love the biker chic jacket😊
I feel a series coming on – Alison climbs all the sweeping staircases of Scotland.
Hope you had a good day btw
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Alyson.
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Funny you should say that about staircases… – It was considered!
Hope you’ve had a lovely day too and hope your plans for Boxing Day are still on.
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A wonderful post to banish the blues and forget the tiers. Best Wishes for happier times in 2021.
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Thanks. Yes, let’s hope by this time next year the whole concept of tiers, levels etc is far behind us. All the best for 2021.
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A belated happy Christmas to you and yours, Alyson.
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Yes, same to you Martin. Hope you had a good time despite all the restrictions. Cross fingers things improve soon.
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