The new year beckons. I've got the calendar, I've got the diary, I've got a review of 2013 as well. What I was not expecting was this dreadful New Year's Eve turning into a pale imitation of what I dreamt it would be. It's been raining all day and I can just about see a slash of yellow light below the dreadful clouds somewhere beyond the Brompton Cemetary, West Kensington direction. The Christmas break wouldn't be quite complete without a stinking cold which arrived, hook, line and sinker, this morning. With weather like that and a nose like this... I may well eschew the fireworks and ring in the new year with a bottle of something or other at home. Last year I was in a very similar predicament. I recall spending New Year's Day in bed, grumpy, angry and sorry for myself, unable to taste food, let alone enjoy myself (well, aren't the two related, truly?). My special word for 2013 was SOAR and soar I did, in many ways. I've just had a flick through pics from the end of 2012 and, apart from being an exceedingly painful time, it also couldn't be more different from what I am experiencing now. I started this year still between Cheshire and London, tired and adrift, and I finish it well settled, quite happy and with a plan to cover these vast wooden floors (Syberian wood, I am told) with rugs from Liberty's. In preparation for tomorrow and for cracking open... Read more →