House in the glen

A wild, windy walk in our favourite refuge from busyness, huvtaes, overheated shops - this morning we were once more on the top of the hill in Benmore Gardens, looking down past this landmark tree into Glen Massan and the little clump of white cottages familiar to Emma Thompson the actor. We were in the full force of the wind up there, though as we walked back down the north-facing slopes we were just aware of the sound of it in the tree-tops. We saw a large deer, quietly slipping away at our approach, and met a couple on holiday from Edinburgh.

As we turned to descend, the first slight rain tickled our faces. It didn't come to much at the time, but now, at 4.30pm, it is dark outside and raining. And tomorrow will be Christmas Eve.