Happy New Year

It’s a bit belated but I wish you a very happy and healthy 2013.  I’ve been down in Yorkshire for about a week, hence the “no show” for a while. 

I saw the new year in with Janet’s family, plus Ian and Colin, to the bells of Big Ben on TV, at a party in Darlington.  Ready with the camera as usual, I think I actually got this shot before everyone pulled their party poppers at midnight.  There’s only one trail flying across the TV screen.

Everyone wished everyone else “a happy new year”, Auld Lang Syne was murdered as it usually is beyond the Scottish border.    Here are the words.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne* ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo, for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp ! and surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes, and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit, sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn, frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !and gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Normally you’ll only hear the first and last verses sung – and the chorus too - and it’s only in the last verse that arms are crossed, as you offer a handshake to your trusted friend. 

The fireworks in London were amazing, and I am sure if we had gone outside we’d have heard plenty fireworks in the Darlington area too.  We got our first foot – the first person over the doorstep in the new year – carrying his piece of coal to ensure a prosperous year ahead.  In this case it was the man of the house who had been sent out of the back door just before midnight, to come round and knock at the front door just after the bells!.  It was a lot of fun.  Thanks guys!

Talk again soon.