When I lived on Colonsay, we used to celebrate ‘old new year’ which was traditionally on the 13th of January. The real new year was celebrated in typical island-style and required a number of days to complete, given that it was the habit to visit EVERYONE on the island. Now of course work had to be fitted into the equation, so returning to it offered a bit of sobriety, and a chance for the body to recover. But then along came ‘old new year’ and the second footing began in earnest! January tended to be a very busy month on the island, especially when Burns’ Night concluded this feast of celebrations! You certainly had to be fit to weather January on an island!!!

This year is a wee bit different! No rowdy parties or extensive first-footing. It was a pretty quiet New Year, one which passed with little over-indulgence. Old New Year will be this week-end, and we’re in Carlisle to see the boys, so I imagine sobriety will be the order of the days, although a glass of wine or two may well accompany our evening meals!! We don’t have the stamina for emulating the island parties of yesteryear, but the memories of them can still raise a smile!!

Posted with Blogsy