Hogmanay celebrated on the hill

New Years Eve came in with a great snowfall then settled into a cold starry night with a big full moon, a blue moon, that is when there are two in a month or 13 in a year!
We drove on the white on white roads and there was no other traffic, no traces in the snow whatsoever. The valley folk are wise.
Arriving at Shield Law, the hill overlooking Bellingham, was quite the challenge. We did not want to crash into a stone walls or slip and slide off the road altogether. I was holding the tray with the cooked salmon filets and in the back was the potato dauphinois a la Suede and a bag of goodies slipping and sliding about.
The trip itself was such an exciting adventure! Thanks to the bright full moon light we could see for miles and that really helped. It was so beautiful
Hogmanay was spent in the company of Ben, Ruth and Fred plus their three cats Patricia, Hemlock and Bramble and Molly the black lab.
It was a relaxed cosy evening and I am particularly fond of that family. It was so kind of them to have us over.
Around midnight Ruth opened the window to let the old year out and the new year in. We toasted with some delicious port.
The food was not necessarily traditional but very festive. Bubblies, starters of tomatoes baked with chevre, salmon, apple pie and mince pies made by Ruth and were delectable. I think it is a marvellous idea to share the cooking, like a potluck! It worked out very well indeed.
Hogmanay comes but once a year. Last year we were at home in Sheep Cottage with friends from Germany having cheese fondue.
Next year?