On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
Partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. 
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
"The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which tuned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend" Quoting from my favourite book, 'Pride and Prejudice'
Took the meaning of the song from a source on the net because I was too lazy to type out the explanation from the booklet given at Chatsworth.
Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Took the pictures on a visit to Chatsworth House. It's one of the finest stately homes, very lavish and grand. Is it exactly like you see it in Pride and Prejudice (the latest version featuring Keira Knightly). They were having the 12 Days of Christmas exhibition in the house, and I thought it was appropriate to put the pics up today simply because it's Epiphany today. And I simply love the gardens. Anyone who knows me well enough knows I like gardens a lot, but I'll put the pictures up another time ( which may mean sooner or later or never) . I had a good start to the New Year and hopefully, it will carry on throughout the year! All the best to everyone else!
Any visitors to Cornwall, MUST visit the Eden project, albeit it is only easily accessible if you have a car. An inspiring project, both archictecturally and in creating awareness for the environment, I applaud the government's initiative to create such a centre in Cornwall. I suspect part of it was due to the Bilbao effect, creating jobs and bringing tourism back to the place ( the other few attractions around the area includes the Lost Gardens of Heligan and some other museums). For those who are unfamiliar with the term 'Bilbao effect', Bilbao is a city north of Spain whose economy was revived, the credit going to Gehry's Guggenheim museum. Anwway, since I was granted a wish to pick a choice of 'must see' destination, I picked Cornwall, due to its exotic landscape and beautiful harbour towns. This post features mainly on the Eden project. I shall reserve my criticisms for I think the positive points outweighs its negative.
