Happy Hogmanay

B&P

 2012, that stooped old man with his wizened white beard is leaning heavily on his walking stick, while that young pretender 2013 is lurking around the corner. 

It is Hogmanay today, amongst other things, ( cleaning the whole house of stoor) I have to stay awake long enough to accompany hubs to First Foot my mum after midnight to bring her home luck, safety and abundance.  Only tall dark  'strangers' need apply, preferably carrying black bun, a lump of coal, whisky, shortbread or a combination of all four.  Mum is very superstitious about this, in the past I was made to stand outside my parent's house  on January 1st in the freezing cold on more than one occasion until a  non related dark haired man came along bearing the requisite gifts. At a push this would involve sending my brother round to the front door,  forget First Foot, our First  Blazing Fight was often held before 10.00am.

Why was dark hair so imperative? Well, back in the olden days a strapping blond at the door after dark often   meant a gorgeous, (oops)Viking on a spot of  pillaging and the rest.

( Dad was blond, funny that.) 

We Scots are infamous  for enjoying a well libated shindig at this time of year.  Post Reformation, Christmas  was seen as a Papish festival and was virtually banned for close to 400 years from the 17th century to the 1950's and so Scots went out and got absolutely bladdered at Hogmanay.

Don't ever  let it be said that I would  let the team down, I stand up for tradition and ritual - so very very Papish.

B&P

B&P

I don't know what to do tonight, I have a ticket to head into that bubbling cauldron below  to enjoy a Viking led spot of paganism or head to the country pub and settle  in front of an open fire with a dram and stinky  damp dogs at my feet. 

 Or, whisper it, the most decadent option of all, explore the far reaches of the  plump pillowy and toasty and warm sofa.

Can we start a sofa chant? 

Edinburgh Castle- Hogmanay

I had planned to keep this short and sweet but I am a bit of  a babbler. Thank you all for popping by this year. What ever this is; badinage, killing time,  a hate read or  dare I say it, friendship, I am so very thankful for the fellowship.  

Wishing all of you health and happiness in 2013.