Saturday, January 1, 2022

A New Year.

The sky is clear, the stars bright. A perfect Hogmanay night. The church bells chime in the New Year. They peel out 13 times followed by a pause then chime 14 more times before lapsing into silence.  The tikes light fire crackers. These set the old widows mutt a howling. The farm dogs in the valley lend the mutt their vocal support as does the visiting Bassett. The Old Farmer appears on his balcony. We wish him a Happy New Year. At 2:26 Sophie finds she's wandered into the library and the door has shut behind her. She alerts Angus to the enormity of the situation.

Out in the garden at one in the morning we discuss what the high point of 2021 was. 


No doubting the answer.  Sophie got her first view of the sea .... and discovered it was both wet and cold. This choice may say much about the enforced 'domesticity' of a pandemic ordered year.


And we had our first trip away in eighteen months.


 What new horizons await in 2022 ? Stay safe !


 Could any song be better this morning ? :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD4K1v2lKk4

10 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Happy New Year to all at the ROF. Maybe 2022 will bring another trip to the seaside for Sophie?
Bertie and I are now in Torridon, where 2022 began with an explosion of fireworks from across the loch at the Torridon Hotel.
An ebike? Go for it!
Cheers, Gail.

Coppa's girl said...

Happy New Year to you all. We hope that this year you will be able to travel further afield, and Sophie will dip her paws in the ocean again
We watched Fireworks here too, from our terrace, but at 11:30 p.m. - obviously an official display, but someone's timing must have been out!

Lisa in France said...

Happy New Year! Your post is wise - we also learned to value some "smaller" things like escaping to Kyoto for three days with Charlie. Today we went up the hill to the park to look at Mt. Fuji across Sagami Bay. Fuji was indeed a beautiful sight, but Charlie wasn't much impressed with that. Luckily, he found a group of people who were kicking around a ball in the park, and they were kind enough to allow him to join in their game. Day 1 of 2022 rates an "excellent".

Maudie said...

Happy New Year!

Fay said...

Today's photos certainly are hopeful!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
I am tardy again... but still I wish all in that wee village, particularly it's narrator and his hound, the very best that 2022 will put on offer... YAM xx

Travel said...

Happy New Year to you and yours,

Stephanie said...

What a splendid finish to the year, Angus! May you, the Font and Sophie have a bright new year of grand adventures and good health. The Old Farmer is much in my thoughts, as well. Thank you for all the cheer you bring to so many!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

So similar to Edward's face the first time he saw the ocean. xx

Sbuckley said...

Healthy and Happy 2022!

The photo of Sophie with the sun rising behind her is beautiful and makes me think of hope. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of life in your little village