Lighting Up The Night

Every year we do it. Walk up to the high street, buy lightsaber look-alikes, and join the crowds for the official switching-on of Dunbar's Christmas lights.

And every year it's cold - but some years it's dreich and drizzly too.

This was one of those years. Which made the crowds a bit less throng-like than usual, but didn't really dampen the spirits too much.

Shivering in the cold, we cheer and clap a bit self-consciously at the appropriate places - and just before Santa flicks the switch to turn on the lights, we count down: ten, nine, eight, seven... will they, won't they come on right on cue? ... three, two, one - yes!

We all ooh and aah, and nobody points out that the lights are exactly the same as last year.

Wouldn't miss it for the world.