Mortimer recieved a very fine gentleman's personal grooming kit while I received a very splendid cigarette case to replace my old one that became damaged. It was even personally engraved for me. I was rather hoping for a hip flask to have a snifter on the go but that was not forthcoming. I may buy one myself. I was expecting the usual gift of socks but they weren't forthcoming either. Which is a shame because I could really do with some! However, I did receive the excellent new book, 'The Etymologicon' by Mark Forsyth, which is a fascinating insight into not just the derivation of words but their interconnectedness.

Molly was delighted to receive some frilly underwear from her latest beau while Mrs Featherlight very much appreciated the copper cleaning paste I gave her.

But it was a mildly riotous occassion ... "Excess - let's drink to that" was the toast ... and we did.

The evening saw a generous helping of cold meats and assorted cheeses with pickled cabbage, pickled onions, pickle, pickled beetroot and Piccalilli all beautifully made by Mrs Featherlight, rounded off with some sweetness in another of Mrs Featherlight's creations - a splendid Christmas cake that was (unusually) served with a rich double cream giving it more of a Christmas pudding feel. All accompanied, of course, by a jolly good dosage of single malt, G+Ts, Presecco and Madeira.

Sadly, Mario couldn't join us as he was at home in Croatia with his family. Shame really as he missed out on a damned good bash that went on well into the wee hours. We're only just recovering but the hair of the dog is always a good remedy so further seasonal indulgence is the order of the day.

A nice turkey broth is simmering away in the kitchen which should be a nice, light relief to yesterday's excesses.

In the meantime, I shall have the somewhat bleary-eyed Mortimer serve me another dram. Hell! It's Christmas!

It's a most magnificent specimen and Janet and Molly have dressed it beautifully. Gifts have already accumulated and have been placed appropriately beneath the tree.

Mrs Featherlight would have helped but has been busy in the kitchens getting ready for the forthcoming Christmas lunch - she has certainly procured some fine local produce and, ever the traditionalist, is preparing something of wonder and it seems that goose, wood grouse and turkey (courtesy of our gamekeeper) with roast potatoes, carrot and swede mash, sprouts and the usual trimmings are on the menu and she already has a rich gravy on the go ... a fresh giblet stock with leeks, onions, celery, carrots and red wine is already simmering and reducing in a large copper pot on the range. A pork and leek sausage meat with ground chestnuts stuffing is also fermenting nicely in the larder.

Bill and James have been gathering logs and wood for the fires while Molly has been arranging and sending Christmas cards. Apparently, she has some new fangled email thing organised for our treasured customers who have shown us so much support over the year as well. I'm not sure I understand it all but she assures me it will all work.

The wine cellar is nicely stocked with Yuletide refreshment (and Mrs Featherlight is mulling some old wine) while Janet, in the meantime, is putting doilies everywhere as is her wont!

But while the staff here at HS Towers have been busying themselves with seasonal arrangements, we've been locked in The Lab making a Winter Warmer - a selection of detailed multi-samples from the Synthesizers.com modular analogue that graces the workshop here at HS Towers...

It's a modest affair at a modest £1 but sounds pretty beefy - solid basses, thick pads, retro 80s synths and some weird stuff. And it's a portent of things to come - such has been it's success, I am seriously considering a full-featured Dotcom library next year.

In the meantime, time for a snifter of a single malt and a good cigar and the opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas - all of us here at HS Towers hope Santa is kind to you.