Happy New Year

Another new year is upon us, the time just flies past so fast I had hardly come to terms with 2008 before it was gone and over half the first week of 2009 is already passed, used up, never to be lived again, not even by the recently appointed "youngest Dr Who in history". I have to grudgingly admit that David Tennant was the best Doctor since William Hartnell (younger readers try Googling him), he seemed to be able to invoke the original horror and fear that had us all cowering behind the settee whilst maintaining the humour of the character.
Christmas found us a somewhat disparate family. FabAl was in Dorset enjoying icy, crisp weather and a wind coming in off the see that cut you off at teh knees and rendered any bare flesh numb within a matter of minutes. After a good yomp across the cliffs a return to the warmth of Hive Beach Cafe was very welcome. The bright sun and Christmas cheer had brought out a surprisingly large number of people and all the seats inside were taken so I joined the dog walkers at the tables outside. The marshmallows on top of my steaming hot chocolate immediately disappeared across the Atlantic, no doubt a Christmas treat for a passing gull. Mrs Claus had to work over Christmas so stayed at home with Jetski Boy who had a virtual Christmas, returning to reality only to take on board food and drink as needed. Bodybuilder was in Devon and then Wales, yomping in his own way through woods and across fields at the dead of night with someone called Florence who he would have us believe has four legs. The other four legged one, Hugh, enjoyed Christmas in his own way including one extended walk with Mrs Prim and Proper. On Christmas Eve Mrs Claus and I had drinks and nibbles with Mrs Prim and Proper underneath a trade Christmas tree but the promised purple dreadlocks did not make an appearance.
So, what does 2009 hold for us all. For Mrs Claus and FabAl it should be a pilgrimage to Israel. As I said to some of our party this morning, not to worry, they declared war just before we went last time and we all came home safe and sound (with the exception of one German tourist shot dead at Gethsemane but we try not to think about that). Then of course there was that unfortunate incident in Sri Lanka when the Tamil Tigers declared war whilst we were there! I don't think it was personal. For Bodybuilder and JetskiBoy it should see completed college courses and who knows, maybe even a foray into the world of work. FabAl will continue to pretend he knows what he is doing as Chief Executive of EM (no one has rumbled him yet).
A very happy new year to my reader and maybe you might be joined by others during the year.