it's the last day of 2017, New Year's Eve or Hogmanay if you're from my neck of the woods, when Scots across the world say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new. Back in the day the house would be cleaned from top to bottom. The the only night of the year that us kids were allowed to stay up to take part in the old tradition of first footing, visiting family friends and neighbours with a bottle of the water of life, a lump of coal, shortbread and black bun to bring luck to the household for the coming year. And it bings back wonderful memories of a sing-a-long round the piano at one neighbour's house, a big bowl of Scotch Broth in another, left-over Turkey sandwiches in the next and as dawn broke, breakfast in whichever house you found yourself before returning home for the traditional New Year's Dinner of Roast Beef and all the trimmings and no matter how many people were in the house at the time, all were welcome to join the feast. Crikey that must have been a logistical nightmare for the cook, planning for 10 and ending up with goodness knows how many happy but very hungry revellers. Sadly it's a tradition that's all but gone replaced by what is now normal on any Saturday night...the drunken city centre behaviour and the nemesis of this dog owner, the dreaded fireworks. I really don't want to spoil anyone's party but Mrs Bah Humbug will be praying for some atrocious lashing rain and howling gale Scottish weather so that the well into the small hours WW2 barrage turns into a great big damp squib.
I'll also be passing on the cleaning part of the tradition, dust is dust whether it landed in 2017 or 2018, instead I'll be tackling a far more important task, transferring birthdays and important occasions from the 2017 calendar to a brand new one...
mind you this still does NOT guarantee that I will turn up for important appointments on the correct date and seeing as it's unlikely that a tall dark stranger will be ringing the doorbell at midnight...the Furry Boy and his Grumpy Old Mum will be tucked up in bed as soon after midnight as is deemed socially acceptable.
Wishing you all a very Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year
Have fun whatever you have planned for tonight and we'll see you all in 2018
Hugs Kath xxx
I remember those Hogmanay days too, they were such fun, but it is nice to have the memories. I am truly wishing for a quiet night for Buddy too... no such luck here, the local restaurant starts at midnight, it is bah humbug for us too. Wishing you all the very best for 2018 my lovely friend!! Big hugs, Anne xxx
ReplyDeleteWe had very similar traditions Kath, and the house did have to sparkle, my mother would be telling us how you couldn't take it into the new year or the house would never be clean ...haha....it does still cross my mind though...
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best, as the bells go I will raise a glass and hope for the best....Happy New year...xxx
Wishing you a fabulous New Year Kath and Buddy! I hope that it is all that you want it to be and lots more!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Linda xxx
I always think of my Doggies ( and Buddy of course ) when the Fireworks start.huggles xx Huge cuddles for Buddy xx
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