I just love the Mousehole lights. They make my Christmas and herald the start of the Christmas holidays.

My eldest daughter Martha-Lilly and her wind band the Penzance Youth Wind Band played in the crisp clear air. The musicians sat along the quay and played their hearts out. Christmas carols drifted across the harbour and mingled with the colourful twinkling lights to create a living advent calender.

We had to wrap up warm and Wilamena my youngest daughter was the absolute best at collecting money for the band ! She is just so cute !

The deep blue night sky, glinting instruments, hats, scarves and colourful lights created such a powerful image in my mind that I just had to paint it.

My mind's eye flew way out to sea and looked back at the village, with the arms of the harbour sweeping around to protect the little fishing boats and community beyond.

Stars blaze overhead and dogs, cats and bats mingle with the musicians and locals.

As a family we visit the lights every year and every year they impress. Mousehole is the perfect stage for Christmas. If you get a chance do go, you won't regret it.

John Dyer