Douze demoiselles, gentilles et belles

ABC Of Troon... X is for Xmas LIghts

This beautiful vision, which is a mere 40 yards from my front door has more lights upon it's branches than the whole of the town centre. 

It always makes me giggle; Troon has a "wintertainment"; and very lovely it is too.  All the shops are open and offer sweet treats to everyone - sometimes even a wee glass of sherry or mulled wine and a wee quality street, or a mini mincepie. .  There is a massive parade, with dancing, marching, pipe bands, police horses and everything.  There is face painting, dancing exhibitions, a fair in the town hall and shows in the carpark..  Santa arrives on a life boat (when ours were wee, he ALWAYS arrived on the Sea King Helicopter from Gannet).  

There was at one time, carol singing around the big iron cast thing ... I can't remember what it is called.. BEACON!  yes, Beacon although why it is shoved between two rows of Shops I will never know, I thought the whole idea of the beacon was that people saw it from far away; it should sit on top of the Banking. 

The finale of the afternoon is the "SWITCHING ON OF THE LIGHTS". 

The switching on of the lights takes place at the Cross; there used to be a tree there which would be decorated like this one, (although with 1/3 of the lights);  and from every second alternate lamp post a festive light, (which means one decoration on each street cause they are so small). 

So the Summer Fayre Queen and her Minions arrive, and wave, and the Provost says a few words, and then there is the count down, and then the button is pressed, and then, everyone stands and looks to see if the one light everyone can see is lit.   And then there is a communal titter of laughter. 

The night of the lighting of the town Christmas Lights, the folk who live across the road must have come home feeling festive, and it was with great joy I opened the door to let the cat out and was dazzled by this display.   I love it so much - every time I see it I giggle.     I want them to keep it on all year, just to make me happy.

And hence the title of my blip today.... that is the Twelve Day line, from their version of "Twelve Days of Christmas",  called "la perdriole"... cause tomorrow is that day, the end of Xmas. 

Git yer lights doon.