BLINK. AND ITS A NOT SO NEW YEAR.

I can hardly believe that we are already almost halfway into January. How time flies. So much for my resolution to be better at staying in touch in the 06. Ah well. We ushered in the New Year pretty quietly... On New Year's Eve, we popped over the Gnat's (http://www.gnatweds.blogspot.com) for a couple of glasses of mulled wine (which they actually had for the first time - I think - at ours over xmas!!). The original plan after that was to head into town, drown in champagne and watch the fireworks with a couple of friends... Of course, what really happen was after Gnats, we went home, cooked up a meal (Must try: Jamie Oliver's recipe for baked cod with cherry tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, from his Happy Days with the Naked Chef. Really simple, done in 20 min and gorgeous - someone's put the recipe here: http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blsea159.htm) - and the variations of cod and veges are limitless) and then watched the countdown and caught the massive firework display on TV. And the rest is, well, history. Was pretty grateful because it was nice, really, and I really really didn't wanna be near the mayhem that was Orchard Road (here's a taste: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,100067,00.html?). I have vowed that each year from now, I will plot and scheme to try and make Pete feel like staying home on the eve of the New Year... Maybe I'll cook again... Muahahaha. Pete kicked off the year the next day making his famous butter chicken (which I think is better than most Indian restaurants), and then we hit Mum's for the big family dinner. The kids made individual place settings for everyone and there was lots of wine. Very civilised. That was also the end to the fun because the minute we got back to work the mayhem began. It's also been a really, really wet start to the New Year - its been pouring almost all day, everyday. In fact, the downpour that began early yesterday morning has yet to stop. Its like there's an endless supply of rain up there. It's gorgeous weather for sleeping really, but hardly something you want to deal with when - like I had to yesterday - you have to work. Wish some of it would float on down to Australia, which, with its bushfires, probably would appreciate it more. I guess you could call it training, though - apparently, things have been rather, well, moist in Ireland too, with loads of rain and the temperature hovering from 5 to 9 degrees Celsius (panic). Of course the big difference is that even when it rains here, the water isn't freezing, and we don't have to deal with gail-force winds... And I ask myself again why we aren't simply going in the summer. Too late to turn back now. All our bags are packed and we're ready to go. Well, almost. Flights and hotels booked anyway.... So.... Slainte Art