On the Beat

New Year itself was spent in the big house; there were fifteen people around the table (they had 35 for Christmas – it really is the big house!).

My contribution was peeling the potatoes and carrots, which I did with my godson whilst watching what was billed “Jim Henson’s Jack & the Beanstalk”. I thought this would involve muppets and assorted things, and so I was disappointed. Also, it was very, very long – so I don’t know why I watched it to the end…

We later watched the DVD of Prince Caspian which I had couriered from Edinburgh; I thought it was much better – an awful lot better – than the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, so I was disappointed to see they won’t be making any more of the series. (Still, it wasn’t as good as my memories of reading the books thirty five years ago.)

To feed the fifteen, they roasted chicken and duck, and lots of potatoes, parsnips, cabbage, carrots and a variety of stuffings. (All of which tasted excellent, and made a wonderful base for bread sauce, which is what big meals like this are all about. Much better than stuffing!) I excelled myself by being the only person who wanted seconds… And wine, too; there was a lot of wine. The kids worked out how to take out the stoppers from party poppers and put things inside, thereby making a small handheld cannon; the wall was spattered with cranberry sauce.

We toasted the bells with champagne and flaming raisins (soaked in rum or brandy and set alight; a little dangerous, but rather nice).

It wasn’t too late a night – it was so cold that no one chose to go first footing in the village (and, let’s face it, I would probably have avoided that anyway!).

But it was a good way to start the New Year.

I don’t get too excited about New Year’s Eve; too often, it has been a disappointing anti-climax. Fortunately, my wife agrees with me.

So instead of indulging in a mad round drinking, parties and carousing, we have a really great time at home.

This habit – almost a tradition, now, I guess – started with the Millennium, a few years back. There was so much hype and noise and people demanding attendance at this or that party, that we decided to say No! and stay at home, drink a lot of champagne and wine, eat some great food, and catch up with some old videos. We had a marvellous time – just the two of us. We even managed to see some of Edinburgh’s famous fireworks from our kitchen window.
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