Friday, 2 January 2015

Wednesday, December 31/2014

New Year's Eve. In theory St Helena's has a used book sale in its courtyard on the last Wednesday of the month (currently reading the second of three Ian Rankin books from one of last year's sales) but clearly the impending celebrations have trumped the book exchange as the courtyard is empty. 

Our age must be telling, as we don't give even the customary pretence that we are intending to go to the celebrations at the beach. There will be a concert, with Greek music that is a bit younger and louder than we'd choose, as well as free wine (très ordinaire but perfectly drinkable) and beer. No one will be drunk and there will be a touching moment at midnight when people will turn to their nearest and dearests via mobile phone. And the walk is only ten or fifteen minutes, depending on which of us you ask. But the fireworks have contracted in recent years to about three minutes' worth of oohs and ahhs and we know already that we won't wish to leave the cosy flat when the time comes, assuming we can stay awake.

Yes, we're awake. A wee dram at midnight and fireworks visible from the balcony glass doors. Welcome to 2015.