'A Hail Yule Chasie' Extras!

Some extras to enhance your reading experience! 

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!
You might want to read the story first before you explore the links on this page!

I suppose it was inevitable that I'd end up writing a 'Twelve Days of Christmas' story, given Partridge and the Pear Tree Cottage Tea Rooms. Did you know it is the most parodied Christmas song?  I'm rather partial to the Shakespeare version myself!

Find out the truth and the myths behind the song at

http://mentalfloss.com/article/32015/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-twelve-days-christmas

The American Bank PNC Wealth Management maintains the annual Christmas Price Index which tracks the cost of purchasing the gifts which feature in the song. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Price_Index for further information.

This year they've gone a step further and created a branch of the bank out of Gingerbread to display their findings - hope it doesn't give Mary too many ideas for next year's festival...  https://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/tour/

Anyone who knows me knows I have a bit of a reindeer fixation.  At Christmas time the house is filled with reindeer ornaments and pictures and my Christmas preparations are incomplete unless I have had the opportunity to visit some real reindeer in person. I am particularly fond of the Cairngorm reindeer who are the only genuine herd in Britain. they alternate festive duties with roaming on the Scottish hills and their website is fascinating.   http://www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk/Home.aspx

This is the first story to feature Loch Fairin and the wee glen Hamish calls home and the blog has already documented the naming of the places in the story.  Jack Snipe and DCI Linnet will be back in Scotch on the Rocks (which I am determined to finish this year!)  For an insight into the Scottish traditions of celebrating Christmas and New Year check out  http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/people-places/christmas-and-new-year-traditions-in-scotland-1-3226062 

Mary's Cranberry Flapjack is a closely guarded recipe, but this one comes close in loveliness:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/driedcherryandcranbe_88993 

For a festive recipe Mary is prepared to share, see the blog!

FINALLY...

The idea of a Christmas parade was entirely motivated by this video I first saw last year.  It's so sad.  But funny as well...  Maybe Nancy and Mary could have learned from it! https://youtu.be/v_j-0mpap38

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

from all in Glen Fairin and Murkshire this year!

Jo x