The wee one was up and away for his long-distance football fixture in Oban. Me and the big one were whisked away to the park so that my skating buddy and I could do the first few laps of the new year.

Then she headed off to the movies and me and Radio 4 cooked tea. The promise was £10 for dinner for 8 people. With a bit of clever accounting, I stuck to my budget. Not sure my guests did when it comes to making pudding for £5 but at least they didn't come bearing half of waitrose which is a breakthrough.