Happy New Year in Millbrook

Last night saw many of the Millbrook glitterati stumbling up the slightly uneven pathway to the front door here at Millbrooker Towers to see in the New Year in the traditional manner by failing to know the words to Auld Lang Syne and slurping lots and lots of boozy stuff.

We were also joined by my old mucker Chris and his lady-love Gwyn, both of whom brought along their best tartan. I've known Chris for over twenty five years now and I saw his knees for the first time last night as they protruded from beneath his most fetching kilt.

Soon, Dong and Shazzerooneypoos arrived as well - closely followed by Cousin Dave and Penny Potter; 'ere long the sitting room was thronged with assorted Sumps, Comb-Overs, Liabilities and Leaderenes.It goes without saying that the wine flowed freely and, as Cousin Dave was in attendance, things got quite silly as the night wore on.

The balloons made terrific farty noises as we released them in a vain attempt to interrupt Dong's multi-key renditions of Wild Rover and Me and Bobby McGee. As I think about it, I have vague memories of joining in on Me and Bobby McGee, actually.

The midnight hour came, more or less as expected considering that time tends not to stand still (even in Millbrook, although it might occasionally feel that way); the shambolic mumbling of Rabbie Burns' anthem managed to achieve a fairly respectable volume.

Things wrapped up as people slithered off in the general direction of "home" or "bed" and suddenly it was 2009...

Thanks to everyone who came along and made it a terrific night for Mrs The Millbrooker and me - we enjoyed ourselves hugely.

A very Happy New Year to you and yours from all of us here in Millbrook - have a good one.