On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to meEight maids a-milkingSeven swans a-swimmingSix geese a-layingFive gold rings (five golden rings)Four calling birdsThree French hensTwo turtledovesAnd a partridge in a pear tree
The Twelve Days of Christmas start on Christmas Day and last until the evening of the 5th January – also known as Twelfth Night. The Twelve Days have been celebrated in Europe since before the middle ages and were a time of celebration. I may not have a partridge or a pear tree, but I have selected 12 photos from December / January to get me through this period.
Cornwall in Colours 
I had to run away and Google this. What a lovely tree, though not remotely like a Christmas one, apart from all those natural red baubles.
It flowers at this time of year and looks fabulous – hence the name.
Wonderful! Thanks for the link.
I also looked up the tree, as I had never heard of it.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Not one we are familiar with, but I was lucky to see some in flower during my NZ trip. It’s very much a Kiwi icon.
My OH is a kiwi and I’ve never heard of this either! Beautiful! Happy NewYear, Jude. Hope the coming year is a good one for you and thank you for all the gorgeous photos.
He surely must know of the tree? It’s rather spectacular and I much prefer it to a pine tree covered in baubles. My only wish for the new year is to get all the leaks sorted! But getting (good) tradesmen in here seems almost impossible.
Yes he knows it ☺️ Just me who didn’t. Good luck with the tradesmen. We’re too far away to offer any helpful recommendations!
Yes I am rather surprised any NZer would not know of our symbolic tree that is prolific during the festive season. It is more noticeable in my area of the Bay of Plenty and further north.
Ah, the New Zealander does know of this tree, only Sandra hadn’t. I must admit if I hadn’t been to NZ when they were in flower I wouldn’t have heard of them either. Beautiful trees around Christmas time.
Hope you are having a lovely New Year’s Day.
Well, it’s not raining! So far…
Nor here. Himself has been out on his bike and doesn’t look too muddy.
I thought it looked familiar – and indeed, it’s listed as an invasive species in South Africa. It’s so attractive that it was imported to SA and then the trees liked the conditions… Here is my #8: https://picturesimperfectblog.wordpress.com/2023/01/01/on-the-eighth-day-of-hogswatch/
SA also imported the wattle tree which became invasive too. I don’t recall any of these lovely trees though. Love your windows!
😊
Happy New Year 😊🌟✨
Never saw this, I will send it to my New Zealand friends.
Thanks for the link – it’s a lovely tree and very Christmassy.