Some of our gang close to the top of Bennachie on our traditional New Year’s Day jaunt. It’s a busy old place on the 1st, akin perhaps to Sauchihall Street on a Saturday afternoon (a reference which probably only make sense if you were in Glasgow in the 90s) with people making a steady pilgrimage to the top.

I didn’t quite make it to the top this year due to the crazy ice. My oldest two boys did with their pals, but I hung back near the top and then slipped and slided all the way back down.

Back home we gathered, as has become our custom, with a bunch of friends for some food* and games and drinks and chat to welcome in 2018.


The food has always included a selection of deserts made by those who come, but in recent years the responsibility for delivering these feasts has been passed to the next generation. This year we had an amazing chocolate and stout cake made by my pals 12 year old boy and a fabulous four tiered baked cake made by my personal cake baker, 10 year old Ems.


Happy New Year fellow blippers!