Christmas in the Mountains

For the first time ever, I shall spend Christmas away from home or the home of relatives, the idea of renting a house in the mountains, a neutral venue with no expectancy on me as a host or a guest, being very appealing and liberating. An open invitation has been extended to all the family, the only impostion being 'to bring yourselves' free from all the usual accoutrements of Christmas.

We shall journey to Snowden caring not that Christmas dinner might have to be procured from a tin - what fun! - knowing that good companionship, a roaring log fire, a tumble of precious books and the opportunity - if the sun peeps between the peaks - of a breathless hike is all. 

I travelled to Ireland this summer and tried to climb its highest mountain, the waterfalls and the midges of Tarrantouhill defeating me. Hope it's a little less drenching on Snowden!