WELCOME to the camera club as we close on the countdown to Christmas.

By now the Christmas lights will likely have been turned on in towns and villages across the area.

Over the next few weeks excitement will build.

For some the festive season is their favourite time of year but for others the idea of Christmas is less welcomed.

However one thing we can all agree is that December evokes a different feeling in all of us.

It’s the time of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more.

For a couple of weeks out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.

It’s really a sort of a miracle because it happens every Christmas Eve when families come together and memories of their own past Christmases, and those no longer around to share them, are remembered all the more.

OTHER NEWS:

There are people that are having trouble making make their Christmas miracle happen.

There are people that don’t have enough to eat and there are people that are cold who face an anxious few weeks and Christmas will come and go without cause for celebration like the fortunate many.

If we carry the spirit we carry in our hearts over the next few weeks into our daily lives then these miracles will make the magic of Christmas happen every day for all of us.

County Times: Caersws and Llandinam Valley. Picture by Clive Poston.

Caersws and Llandinam Valley. Picture by Clive Poston.

County Times: A barn owl keeps his eyes on the camera. Picture by Bod70 Amateur Photography.

A barn owl keeps his eyes on the camera. Picture by Bod70 Amateur Photography.

County Times: Orange skies above Builth Wells. Picture by Mick Pleszkan.

Orange skies above Builth Wells. Picture by Mick Pleszkan.

County Times: The long abandoned Montgomery Union Canal near Abermule. Picture by Caroline Higgs.

The long abandoned Montgomery Union Canal near Abermule. Picture by Caroline Higgs.

County Times: A stroll alongside history. Picture by Elaine Lewis.

A stroll alongside history. Picture by Elaine Lewis.

County Times: Deer at Powis Castle. Picture by Stuart Jones.

Deer at Powis Castle. Picture by Stuart Jones.

County Times: A robin ponders breakfast. Picture by Milton Jones.

A robin ponders breakfast. Picture by Milton Jones.

County Times: The Deri Woods crew in Llanfair Caereinion. Picture by Anna Jones.

The Deri Woods crew in Llanfair Caereinion. Picture by Anna Jones.

County Times: Four Hercules above the mid Wales hills. Picture by Dave Lister.

Four Hercules planes above the mid Wales hills. Picture by Dave Lister.

County Times: Welshpool High Street and town hall. Picture by Gary Williams.

Welshpool High Street and town hall. Picture by Gary Williams.

County Times: Sunrise in Rhayader. Picture by Tim James.

Sunrise in Rhayader. Picture by Tim James.

County Times: The famous Elan Valley. Picture by Garth Maul.

The famous Elan Valley. Picture by Garth Maul.

County Times: The most scenic roads in the world. Picture by Terry Holloway.

The most scenic roads in the world. Picture by Terry Holloway.

County Times: The stunning Pistyll Rhaeadr near Llanrhaeadr. Picture by Bod 70 Amateur Photography.

The stunning Pistyll Rhaeadr near Llanrhaeadr. Picture by Bod 70 Amateur Photography.

County Times: Relics from another time. Picture by Trudy Davies.

Relics from another time. Picture by Trudy Davies