Late yesterday afternoon most (all?) Britons were asked to live under stricter restrictions to help control a more infectious strain of the virus that has become prevalent in parts of the country.
Not good news at any time, and especially hard to take at Christmas and New Year.
As if by design, an hour or so later, together with a sizeable proportion of the country, I spent a couple of hours immersed in the fierce joy and razzmatazz that is the Strictly Come Dancing final.
Our island nation pushed out the boat with a heaping of good cheer, glittery costumes, bright lights and dubious special effects. (I can sway with the elephant, but I was underwhelmed by lights shooting out of arms in the opener, though it’s as close as we’ll get to a Doctor Who special until 2021.)
Under the glitter, Strictly is all smiles and tears. By the end, as the British are inclined, we had all got so maudlin that Claudia, our steely-eyed heart of gold, struggled to deliver her closing words of gratitude through tears.
When the titles had rolled and the music faded, I turned off the TV and the house felt very quiet. To fight off that flat feeling, I started digging in my photo files for brightly coloured lights. Don’t ask me why I thought that might help. I suppose stranger things emerge in a crisis.
So here you are: six pictures that celebrate light in the darkness taken in either Manchester, North West England or Jackson, Mississippi in more normal times.
If you fancy guessing which was taken where, please do, or you can vote for your favourite(s) in the comments below. Anything to keep the party going!
I’m linking to Sunday Stills: Lights following a kind comment from Terri.
Susan Rushton 
Lovely holiday lights.
I’m glad you liked them. I hope you’ll have a happy holiday season.
These are very cheery lights, I know not where. I may have been the only person in the entire nation not watching Strictly. It’s my most unfavourite programme! Oh, and Malcolm wasn’t watching either.
Nor us. Can’t stand it. But then we’re probably the only people in the world not to have read or seen Harry Potter!
Ah, well I had a Harry Potter fan as a younger daughter so I can’t claim ignorance of the books. But those days are gone. Good to knw there are another few Scrooge types in the world 😉
Do you have any alternative Christmas favourites, then? I like ‘The Nutcracker’ too, so my choices are fairly predictable.
It seems to have been about 50-50 or perhaps a little in Strictly’s favour. I thought you might have guessed some of the Manchester ones (3,4 and 5).
No, I don’t get to Manchester at all often these days, and Bolton is a very different beast.
Razzmatazz! I haven’t seen or heard that word in forever, and I’m very glad to be reminded of it! Thank you! Now about Strictly. Needless to say, I had no idea what you were talking about although I could surmise a bit from what you described. To google, of course, and so now I know. Both my left feet are numb from watching one routine.
As to my favorite lights, I love all lights right now; we are desperately in need. I think I’m partial to the tree-huggers and the ground lights. My heart sank when I read about this mutant virus. I hope you and your family will stay safe; this just seems to go from bad to worse to worse again. I hope the lockdown helps the outbreak although I know it does not help any Christmas spirit. Your pictures of lights do help, though!
I don’t do any organised dancing, so it is a strange choice in some ways. I just like the happiness it brings.
Thanks for your good luck wishes. It isn’t nice to hear about the new strain, but in the circumstances, lockdown is probably about as festive and loving as it gets.
And doesn’t it say volumes when lockdown is as festive and loving as it gets? As for dancing, it can indeed bring happiness; happiness might have been how it started. And we grab it where we find it these days.
You’re right – when I’m dancing, my smiling is always much better than my footwork.
Your lights are wonderful, Susan. Sunday Stills theme is lights, feel free to link up! I’m glad we can still find joy and light during these times!
Me too. Thanks for the suggestion – I have done. 🙂
One and two Mississippi, the rest England?
Well done – a very close guess. The only one that escaped you is the last, which didn’t have many clues to go by.
I think you saved the best ’til the last. 🙂 Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be as many outdoor lights here this year. You’d think there would be more given the year we’re having. We need JOY!
I love your insistence on JOY with capital letters. 🙂
Loving the ground lights especially! Driving around merrily to take in Christmas lights is one of my favorite holiday traditions. No matter if times are lean, or social distancing is mandated, it costs nothing and brings joy and the spirit of season!
I love doing that too if I’m in the US at the right time for them. The lights are much more extravagant where my sweetheart lives than they are here.
Love the bright and happy lights – something to enjoy, whatever else is going on.
I like your idea of happy lights. 🙂
Love all that bright colour and sparkle! White lights are all the rage here, but it is nice to see the odd splash of colour. 😃🎄☃️
I confess to liking coloured lights, even if they are not on trend. My favourites are a little chain Mama had that I inherited. They are very retro.
I’m with Eliza. That last photo is absolutely lovely. I had heard about the virus’s mutation and how your country was now in shutdown. A dark time is right. Bring on the lights and bring them on now!
My favourite was the last one too. My area’s restrictions have barely changed throughout, or that’s how it seems, but it sends a chill to hear about a more rapid spread. My heartfelt wishes for lighter times are joining yours.
I told my husband I want lights outside until we get our vaccines..
That’s a great idea. May your lights come down soon!
HAHA– THANKS!!!
Hope you and your loved ones stay safe over the Christmas season, Susan. You may be living through sombre times and restrictions, but that doesn’t mean no joy for the holiday season.
The world will be a different place after 2020 and the sooner we all adjust, the sooner we can come to terms with new more restrictive lifestyles.
Having been mainly housebound for much of the last 20 months, I can assure you, that learning to satisfied with simple home-based pleasures or walks in the fields and woodlands (or nearby parks if you’re urban-based) can bring so much pleasure in these difficult times. Even now, a week out of hospital after my hip surgery, I’m enjoying some absorbing netflix serials and Christmas movies on TV.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas Day and that 2021 will be much improved after the coming months of lockdown in the U.K. 🙂
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Vicki. I agree – I’m finding joy in some remarkably little pleasures. 🙂
I hope 2021 will be kind to you too and especially that your surgery gives you relief from the pain you’ve been suffering. Happy Christmas!