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Happy holidays to you and yours. :).

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Thank you, Olga.

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Dec 23, 2023Liked by prue batten

Your summer days sound delightful. Have a lovely Christmas.

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And to you, Kate. Thank you so much.

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That is a fearsome weapon! I hope the look of it will deter any threats, so you never have to wield it!

May you and yours enjoy your holiday season, with surf, sand and sunshine!

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Oh golly, Susan, me too! I just want to walk without feeling that the Terrier and I are vulnerable.

Cheers to you and see you next year.

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Have a wonderful holiday, Prue. I am envious of that beautiful weather - here in the UK it’s cold, wet and dark at this time of the year. Wishing you a happy and productive new year.

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Rosy - to be honest, our weather has been chilly this last week. Straight off the sea and in the evenings when walking, we've had to wear quilted jackets. But we will get our beach days eventually. Today was heavenly.

Hard to believe isn't it, that your days will now get longer whilst ours get shorter.

Cheers and thank you so much for signing up for Knots in the String.

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That first glorious photo? I felt the tension I hadn’t realised I was carrying drop out of my shoulders. Relief. Rest. Relaxation. Happy, happy sigh. Have a wonderful Christmas break dear Prue. Enjoy our glorious summer. We are so blessed. 🤗😘🥰

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Oh! And how could I overlook the legendary Skullcrusher!!! I love the whole tale and the very photogenic piece itself. May it save you from unwanted attention for years to come. 😃

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Beth, you have no idea how much it makes me feel safer (not exactly invincible though) but in truth, I never ever want to have to wield it and thus far, in the last week. Husband and self have walked with the Terrier on the delightful backroads away from the village and it has been peaceful and heaven. See you soon!

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My favourite way to wake up on a Saturday morning! Thank you for a delightful piece of you: from the calm gorgeous words and beach photos to the powerful weapon inspired by tales of yore. I love the juxtaposition of practical sun life protection with the 'other' kind of protection: the weapons against that which can be life affirming or quickly turn against us. Lovely lovely. Enjoy the metamorphosis to summer Prue! Looking forward to so much more with you in 2024 ❤️

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Thank you, Sabrina, so much! See you in a matter of... seven days, I guess!

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Blimey. I'd be arrested if I carried that around! Happy holiday 😀

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I know - it's awful, isn't it? But after a number of dog attacks and legally not allowed to carry capsicum spray...

I stumbled across Baldr in a pine forest and I just had this feeling that Fate had put it there for a reason.

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My newer connections to the Southern Hemisphere having brought me closer to the changes of season, I'm aware of how little thought I once gave to the fact that our day length and temperatures come as opposites. Even the earth understood the yin and yang of existence! And Baldr is your personal version, bring forth power to balance feelings of vulnerability. There is an "All is Well" force field now traveling with you. (This though: "legally not allowed to carry capsicum spray" -- our country's laws are so very different, aren't they?)

Speaking of Baldr - what a story! Can I admit to feeling just a wee bit sad for the dragons? 😉

Wishing you the best of holidays, Prue, with swimming and sunning to your heart's content! Merry Christmas!

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Thank you, Elizabeth. Likewise, I get to enjoy vicariously, the whole white Christmas experience of those in the North. It's funny how normal our summer Christmases seem and how right! The best way to launch into summer holidays by having a festive occasion with family.

Yes, our countries laws are very stringent and different and it is for the best reasons that Australia does what it does. BUT - I have seen a loved one raped and assaulted, I have seen a family member harassed appallingly by young thugs, and of course the story of the Terrier's and my experience with attacking uncontrolled dogs is well-recorded. I would love to carry Bear Spray but if in a 'situation' I used it, I would be the one charged with carrying an illegal weapon whilst the perpetrator potentially got off with a rap across the knuckles.

Is Baldr Skull Crusher illegal? I don't know. I guess I will find out if I have to use it. Here's hoping the Fates never cause it to be necessary because I'm so not violent. I hide behind cushions at blood and gore on TV, feeling anxious and distraught.

But Christmas Eve is here. As I look out the bedroom window, the sun is shining, the weather is mild and my favourite birds are trilling in the gardens. The beaches are calling today, Christmas is prepared for and life is good.

Take care, Elizabeth and may your Christmas be as gentle and soft as a fall of fresh, light snow.

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A heart-warming post, Prue. I wish it was summer here.

I love the club, just be careful you only attack small dragons.

Merry Christmas.

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Have a great day, Martin. Talk you in a few days...

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Dec 24, 2023Liked by prue batten

Hope you have a fabulous family Christmas Prue, much love xxxx ( P.S. I think that branch has like a ram's face )

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It's been lovely, Libby thank you and I hope yours is too.

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Dec 25, 2023Liked by prue batten

Yes Prue, its been really nice thanks xxx

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Thank you for providing me with a delightful connection to the Southern Hemisphere this past year. Wishing you and yours all my very best for the holiday season and beyond to 2024. Here in Montreal, on the eve of Christmas, the trees are bare, and there is not even a sprinkling of snow on them to make it all look magical. The skies are mostly grey, and the sun goes down around 4:30, long before I have even started to make dinner. But I still feel so lucky.

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There's a beauty in every sort of sky, isn't there.

Alice, I hope your Christmas Day is wonderful as we toddle off to bed.

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