On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree. A few years ago a mature pear tree was felled by a local authority over health and safety fears that it attracted wasps. The HSE called the felling an “over-reaction” and blaming health and safety for it as “unfounded and misleading”. More at http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/myth-busting/2013/case150-pear-tree.htm
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
Keeping doves - or pigeons - as some people do can cause problems. Breathing dust or water droplets containing bird droppings can lead to several diseases including Psittacosis, a rare infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia psittaci. It is mainly associated with parrots and other similar species but does affect other birds, including pigeons. Symptoms are commonly a flu-like illness and pneumonia usually appearing 5-19 days after exposure.
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. If you are organising a hen party or weekend once COVID restrictions are lifted, we hope you enjoy yourself. But strange cities and lots of alcohol could cause safety concerns. This website gives some useful advice: http://www.stagandhendoideas.com/essential-advice-hen-party-safety/
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. The sound of birds calling to each other (the song is not "collie birds") has brought much happiness to many during the year of lockdowns and social exclusion. And singing continues this Christmas. The Government has decided that door to door carol singing IS allowed providing this guidance is followed.
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. If you travel to Paris once COVID is over, be aware of fraudsters. There is a scam that is very fashionable, but not very well known: the false gold ring. Someone drops a "gold" ring in front of you and says "Is it yours? Did you drop it?" The individual points out the hallmark and therefore the presumed value of the ring, which they of course noticed before you did. They talk up a clever story, claiming that the ring is too big for their finger, or that their religion bans them from wearing jewellery and so they want to give it you in exchange for money. However, this ring is a fake, and is usually made of copper with counterfeit hallmarks. It will rust in a few days and then turn green. How should you react? Don't take any interest in the ring. Go on your way and don't hold it in your hands. Above all, don't hand over any money. If you are the victim of or witness this scam, notify the police.
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. Geese will often protect their territory, young and nests where they have been “a laying”. They are known to chase or attack humans who disturb their territory. While geese may chase people, an actual physical attack is fairly rare. You can stop a goose's aggression by respectfully leaving its territory. Back away slowly, while remaining calm. Do not do anything that may escalate the situation, like yelling. In the event you are injured, seek medical attention to assess your injuries.
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. Swimming safely always reminds me of a sign on holiday in Turkey a few years back, where something got lost in translation:
Our hotel is not responsible for your valuable stuff lost on the beach
Do not leave your children alone by the seaside
Do not swim alone
Do not use alcohol before swimming
Do not jump from the wharf
Use the specially separated from the accidents that may occur in the beach during sport despite the fact that daily beach cleaning is made.
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.
To aid the eight maids, the Food Standards Agency has produced a useful 64 page guide to help milk producers to achieve the standards of hygiene required to conform to the legislation as it applies to milk production holdings.
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. It doesn’t specify in the song what type of dancing the ladies are doing, so I shall choose one that some ladies often do. Pole dancing is becoming more popular as a form of exercise. But it can be hazardous too. This website gives advice: http://www.learn-pole-dancing.com/pole-dancing-safety.html
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. Many of us rent properties from landLORDS, and they have many responsibilities to ensure you are safe living in their properties. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-landlords-safety-responsibilities
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.
Anyone who knows me will know that bagpipes are not my favourite musical instrument. But the eleven pipers piping can play out of my earshot if they wish. However they must be aware of “bagpipe lung”, which killed
a Canadian piper a few years ago. And it’s not just bagpipes. The moist interiors in wind instruments foster the growth of yeast and mould, the study suggests. Two previous cases showed the lung condition developing through fungal exposure in a saxophone and trombone. In those cases, the players began to clean their instruments with disinfectants and their symptoms improved.
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! Twelve drummers will be loud. One drummer is bad enough for noise levels. If you play the drums protect your eardrums by wearing suitable ear defenders. Many types are available, as this video shows. https://youtu.be/lHV_mC8suc4
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