What did Santa bring you?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

'Twas the day before Christmas
When in front of the house
Up rolled my Bentley
As silent as a mouse.

For months it had languised
In the shop down the road,
Consuming my cash,
Like wine it had flow'd

Into steering and brakes,
And carburetters, too
Repairing all parts,
The tyres brand new.

The mechanics they'd swear,
Their wrenches they'd clatter,
The bill was sky-high
But what did it matter?

For there in the drive
For all to see
Santa had parked
My old Bentley.

I dashed out the door-
Behind the wheel I lept
I adjusted some levers
(At which I'm adept)

And pushing the starter
It purred into life
Then I opened the door
And let in my wife.

Selecting each gear
With infinite care
We rolled down the highway
A happy old pair

And as friends we'd pass
Out the windows we'd shout
MERRY CHIRSTMAS TO ALL!
And without a doubt

Though my Bentley's now parked
and it's chilly outside
I wish for all X-Marks
A Happy Christmastide!

[Bugbear]

I also got a bug zapper.

[Mike_Oettle]

Some terrific gifts here, especially Ern’s hose and Den’s kilt and jacket.
My most Scottish gifts were a barrel of shortbread (a speciality of my daughter’s) and a copy of a book titled Lady Anne Barnard’s Watercolours and Sketches, which came from my dear wife.

Lady Anne was the eldest daughter of James Lindsay, 5th Earl of Balcarres. Her husband, Andrew Barnard, was Colonial Secretary at the Cape during the British occupation of 1795-1802. The Governor, the Earl Macartney, was not accompanied to the Cape by Lady Macartney, so Lady Anne was the lady of the Castle of Good Hope and hostess for a celebrated round of entertainments, especially balls.
She was a meticulous recorder of the society around her and an enthusiastic explorer. She was the first European woman known to have climbed Table Mountain, and she travelled into the interior as well.
The foreword of the book is signed simply “Crawford”, with the legend “The Right Honourable the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres”.
This gentleman is Robert Lindsay, 29th Earl of Crawford and 12th Earl of Balcarres, and is chief of the clan I am descended from through my mother’s maternal grandfather.
The book is a magnificent piece of Africana (a passion of mine), but doubly appropriate because of the clan connection.
Regards,
Mike

[vmac3205]

'Twas the day before Christmas
When in front of the house
Up rolled my Bentley
As silent as a mouse.

For months it had languised
In the shop down the road,
Consuming my cash,
Like wine it had flow'd

Into steering and brakes,
And carburetters, too
Repairing all parts,
The tyres brand new.

The mechanics they'd swear,
Their wrenches they'd clatter,
The bill was sky-high
But what did it matter?

For there in the drive
For all to see
Santa had parked
My old Bentley.

I dashed out the door-
Behind the wheel I lept
I adjusted some levers
(At which I'm adept)

And pushing the starter
It purred into life
Then I opened the door
And let in my wife.

Selecting each gear
With infinite care
We rolled down the highway
A happy old pair

And as friends we'd pass
Out the windows we'd shout
MERRY CHIRSTMAS TO ALL!
And without a doubt

Though my Bentley's now parked
and it's chilly outside
I wish for all X-Marks
A Happy Christmastide!

Brilliant!
Thank you. It made my morning.

[Salvianus]

My girl booked a holiday in Skye for us for the Easter hols.

I haven't been since they built the bridge and we're not up to climbing the Cuillins like back then, so any tips would be welcome. Maybe I can find a folk session somewhere.

[thescot]

I see that there were some very good boys--and girls--this year.

My biggest single gift was a Kindle from my son-in-law. As much as I love real books--the look, the feel, the smell, etc.--I have to say that this sucker is great! I've never read so much in one week, at least not since I graduated college.

I have the Complete Words of Charles Dickens, The Waverley Novels, Moby Dick, and whole bunch of other stuff a my fingertips.

[Kiltboy]

A I got (and also gave) a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle's 23 year reserve.

[gordontaos]

This good boy received a Mr Antony Ultimate Rain Cape, it wasn't even on my list! I had no idea from all of the photos that I had seen how truly magnificent it is. The heavy texture will allow me to wear it in winter's cold as well as rain. I was shocked at how good it looks, and...it also goes very well with my other clothing of cowboy boots and western hat.
All in all a remarkable piece of clothing that makes a serious visual statement.