We walked down to the village to have look around shops in Melrose, looking once again for Christmas gifts. There were even fewer shops in Melrose and what there were seemed to focus their business on the rich English expats who now live in the area. Prices seemed to be ridiculously expensive for what they were selling.

Our next port of call was the post office to enquire about sending some of our stuff to New Zealand. We bought a couple of boxes that could send up to 2kg each very cheaply.

The final shop in Melrose was the Woolen Mill where we managed to buy some gifts, but obviously can't give away more than that just in case somebody guesses what they're getting.

Walking back from the Woolen Mill, we passed Melrose Abbey which was looking nice. Last time we were here there was scaffolding all around it. We didn't bother paying to go in, just took a photo through the fence like so many other tourists.

David had been complaining about his hair getting really long and decided to get it cut even though we were going to the cold of the Arctic Circle, it might have helped keep his head warm.

A homemade Christmas dinner was being prepared by David's mum. It had been quite a few years since David had been in Scotland for Christmas and this year wouldn't be an exception. It was still nice to have the full traditional Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. There was even crackers and homemade Christmas pudding with brandy butter. Everyone was fit to burst by the time we finished and moved on to coffee, chocolates and liquors.