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This is just 10 glorious minutes of the train journey through the mountains between Bergen and Oslo in Norway, shot from the front of the engine. In the snow. Believe it or not, Norwegian broadcaster NRK will let you download, free, the entire seven hours in HD…if you have a spare 22gb. Emerging from those…

To Lerwick, early, on relatively clear roads, thanks to absolutely superb gritting and ploughing. And the fact that nothing like as much snow fell as expected. I’d arranged to collect Magnus from the ferry at the relatively civilised time of 9.00am, though it usually gets in at 7.30. Not today. Horrendous weather south of Orkney…

Very cold, windy and sideways snow that (so far) isn’t staying put. Forecast for tonight and tomorrow much worse, which is a pity because Mag’s on the boat tonight. Stove lit, generator filled with petrol, Citroen abandoned in favour of Isuzu double-cab 2.8-litre turbo diesel 4WD pickup. Economical? No, but it’ll go up The Clavie…

I’m afraid my night-time mobile phone snap doesn’t communicate the full, overwhelming impact of those Christmas lights. And this in a community so dark-ridden at this time of year that valiant battles against the night result in probably the most spectacular household lighting in Europe. The other pictures show a salvaged anchor up at Bruce…

backstage in Paris. I’m sure you’ll agree it’s rather good! The limited edition vinyl box set of Sunny Side Up is still available (1000 copies only) and is a dead cert for collectability, particularly if you don’t play it! But that would be a shame, as the vinyl mastering is a bit of a revelation.

…from Mr Cockburn. Those Canadians!

Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, wishes us a very merry Christmas with his official card, seen here. It’s a painting by Gerard Burns called ‘A New Journey’. I’m afraid it sent me off on a disturbing trip through Google Images. Hyper-realist art, flags, and young girls with blond hair? Some images cannot be redeemed from…

Unsubbed copy for those unable/unwilling to access the print version, which comes with pictures. Though I believe you can subscribe to a full digital edition online athttp://www.heraldscotland.com December Sunday Herald Diary 13th December Monday At this time of year, the Greater Zetlandics, in which I live and breathe and have my tattie soup, are darker…

These were all taken on a Nokia 5800 phone on the drive into Lerwick. the first picture is Johnnie Mann’s Loch in Northmavine, a place I once stopped next to at night for a sleep, until I woke up remembering the horrifying ghost story associated with it (headless horseman). No sign of the fellow. Anyway,…

…and curiously, I heard this lovely song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn just as I sat down at my computer after a walk in the utterly still, starlit Shetland night. Don’t think I’ve ever seen Orion so clearly outlined. But no aurora! The sun is too cool for Da Merrie Dancers to make their appearance.…