Hello, dearest daydreamer. Welcome to the Isle of Neverwas and the Lost and Found Exchange.

The time following the Yule Feast focuses on renewal. It is an opportunity to enjoy all the small moments, to slow down, and welcome the new year with joy and hope. Today is the sixth day of Yule, and you, my dearest daydreamer, are joining Sally the Cat and her friends for a walk along Bubble Beach.

Early morning walks help to blow away the cobwebs after three days of Feasting at Castle Nod. Sally the cat lives at the top of the harbour. She takes care to bundle up. The snow has stopped, but the dark sky is clear, and a thick frost covers the garden. Sally pulls a beautiful, bright pink, hand-knit bobble hat over her ears, safely tucking them away against the cold. She wraps her matching chunky wool scarf around her neck, covering her nose to keep her face snug and warm. Before leaving the house, she carefully buttons her coat and slips her hands into a pair of mittens. Slipping quietly out of the front door while it is still dark, Sally meets her friends, joining them to walk in small groups along the beach.

The group walks down the winding harbour street towards the beach, more of the islanders slipping out of their front doors. Some of the island folk have sensibly brought a torch with them. Silently greeting friends with a wave as they join the rest of the group.

As you get closer to Bubble Beach, the sound of the waves crashing against rocks and sand grows louder. The tide is going out, leaving behind a wide crescent of wet, dark sand. A strong breeze blows off the sea, and the walkers huddle closer together as they make their way across the beach. Take a deep breath, dearest daydreamer. The cold, salty sea air fills your lungs and wakes you up.

The birds begin to sing as the sun starts to rise, the clouds illuminated with splashes of pink and purple. In these moments, as the sun wakes up and climbs into the World, the islanders stand still. They admire the view, but they also silently thank the sun for its return.

One thoughtful way to show kindness to one another is to exchange baked goods. The islanders like practical gifts that are personal and have been made with love. The fairy folk know that words and actions are powerful. They say well wishes for the year ahead as they mix the ingredients into the bowl and knead the dough for their baked items.

Sally the Cat and her friends remove brown paper-wrapped packages of shortbread and ginger biscuits from their pockets and bags, carefully unwrapping them. Gingerbread is a recipe each family has. Gingerbread stars are a favourite to make and decorate. The islanders hang them from their Christmas tree as decorations. The biscuits are often taken on early morning walks. The treats are shared with friends, and Joe the Bear has brought a flask filled with rich hot chocolate. What better way to start the day than with a walk along the beach with friends, enjoying biscuits and hot chocolate?

Following their walk along Bubble Beach, the friends return home to continue their own Yule celebrations. Stories are important to the islanders. Books are gifted to one another. Sometimes, islanders will gift each other books from their own collection. Something carefully selected, a special book that means something to them. You may find that inside there is an inscription from the person who gifted it to you. There might even be more than one inscription if the book has been loved and enjoyed by more than one fairy folk.

After three days of feasting, you sit down to a simple supper. Nuts, fruit, cheese, and crackers are placed on the kitchen table with the Christmas cake. A jug of milk and a teapot brimming with tea are ready to be poured into china cups and mismatched mugs. This is a time to swap stories from the Yule Feast and revisit moments of joy. Laughter fills the kitchen.

Across the island, after supper is finished, the last Christmas gift of a book is exchanged. In some homes, peace and quiet fall as the inhabitants retreat into their own worlds. Books are opened on laps, and members of families curl up on the sofa or in armchairs to read.

Other islanders are stretched out on the rug, propped up on their elbows, their book open on the floor, engrossed in a fresh story. In other homes, they pick a book to read and take turns to read the story until it is time for bed.

For my daydreamers, mischief-makers, and restless souls. Welcome to the Isle of Neverwas. You are home.