For dear readers and friends:
A whimsical Thames reverie to be sung to the traditional tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”… as best you can.
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
FIVE GOLD WAVES… four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Seven Carrara columns, six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Eight kagouled kayakers, seven Carrara columns, six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Nine lustrous leaves, eight kagouled kayakers, seven Carrara columns, six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Ten rowers rowing, nine lustrous leaves, eight kagouled kayakers, seven Carrara columns, six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Eleven merry mews*, ten rowers rowing, nine lustrous leaves, eight kagouled kayakers, seven Carrara columns, six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Twelve arrows aiming, eleven merry mews, ten rowers rowing, nine lustrous leaves, eight kagouled kayakers, seven Carrara columns, six pecking pigeons, FIVE GOLD WAVES…four dashing dancers, three lovely lanterns, two pink pelicans and a little gull perched upon a wall.
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* The word ‘mews’ for gulls, from Old English ‘mæw’ still exists in certain regional English dialects.
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Thanks for your company and encouragement.
Hope you’ve had a good Christmas and wishing you all the best year possible in 2026.
Patricia
December 28, 2025