It kicked off around 4pm as soon as some of the young dancers arrived. Those who were not involved in the dancing made themselves useful by preparing foods for a modest New Year’s Eve feast. A few of the old men made the best of the 6 hours remaining of 2005 visiting a selection of the pubs that were open along the Grand Union Canal at Fenny Lock, Fenny Stratford and Simpson, and Caldecotte Lake.

The feast started at 7.30 pm for the women and children. A few hours later the missing old men joined in.

One or two younger children (Chloe, 5 months; Christian and Zebedee, both coming up to 2 years) had a nap but joined everyone else for midnight, as marked by the chimes of Big Ben via the radio. Thus, 2006 had arrived and was greeted with several renditions of Auld Lang Syne.

A bit of bubbly grape juice was consumed (someone forgot the malt) and games were begun, starting with musical chairs, musical statues, overhead and tunnel ball and a few hours of that ever so popular mwaneaba game, Sorry.

Some fireworks were displayed spectacularly, thanks to the Simon, Keith and Nigel. The hall went quiet by 3 am except whispers from Tooti and Hegnes who were reminiscing on life in their old high schools. Midlife crisis and their biological clocks are definitely ticking away for these women I suppose.

People were in no hurry to get up the next morning to greet the first sunrise (or was it rainrise) of 2006. It was a self-service breakfast of toast and soup for those people who had to leave for other commitments. The dance practice carried on by those who stayed behind. One new dance was learnt at this time. Quite productive I must say.