Santa Clues, you've been very quiet - not as quiet as some Santas I could name!

Nine days ago you were "in treegued" and "being very good": within the hour (or eight or nine anyway) I regaled you with random (albeit untintentionally anonymous) ramblings on gum trees and goodness.

"No answer" was the stern reply so, like the telegraph boy with his nose turned up, I cycled sadly away into the slowly sinking septentrional sunset. More than a week passed and still no stirrings from my previously prolix Piscean Proserpine - could she be hibernating? Surely not, for although winter is here, it is not there. And the odd post for others kept appearing from her, giving birthday greetings and feliciations, but not giving an unripe fig for her poor Santa waiting patiently for a word. :-(

But fear not, o haughty Helen of Hadean habitats, my time has not been idly spent: even now a small package is winging its way to my subterranean sojourner, a token to be displayed on the occasions when Persephone proudly parades in the serene sunlight of summery southern climes. A proclamation geographical rather than chronological from your santa. Or is he/she/it just an old windbag?

And the main package is ready for assembly and onward dispatch in the care of the boomers.

Santa Clues x