2014 already

It's hard to believe these dates that roll around with disturbing frequency. 2014 in say 1974 seemed an    eon away.
While not as cold as Toronto, Aberdeen has been a bit dreary and miserable over the Christmas/New Year period. We've been having a good catch up with the Old Girl's mum (the Older Girl) who we haven't seen for a few years.
On New Year's Eve we went for a jaunt to Stonehaven, a picture-sku town just south of Aberdeen. They were setting up there for a Simple Minds concert but also preparing for flooding. It was raining heavily and we got soaked just going from the car to a small museum which was beneath the restaurant that the Old Girl's cousin used to own (raining too hard to take a photograph). The museum was one of those enthusiasts ones full of tat and run by a couple of aged nutters.
The restaurant was closed so we drove to a country inn and had a delightful lunch in an authentic 18th century setting. Blazing fire in a coach room with hearty Scottish fare was real cosy.
Back at the Older Girl's place we hunkered down for a night in, cracking a bottle of champers and watching TV but by 11pm we thought we'd brave the outdoors as the rain had stopped. The Old Girl and I wrapped up warm and headed out for town which is about a half hour walk. We found an historic pub and had a Hogmanay whiskey each (Cragganmore 12y.o) and then walked up Union street at midnight to watch a magnificent firework display.

We wandered back down town and decided to celebrate with a glass of champagne. After trying three bars who had no champagne by the glass we found one that was serving Prosecco. We looked at each other and decided that Life's too short to celebrate New Year with a cheap Italian sparkling so ordered a bottle of champagne instead. They only had Moët but needs must. We lingered over the bottle until they closed the bar just after one am and made our way home. Cities at this time are always interesting. There is a combination of risk and excitement. We greeted a few festive well- wishers; circuited a few drunks ( and their deposits on the footpath); nodded to young police persons (the polis) and enjoyed the conviviality. There was only one sour note. Going down a side street we came across a couple on the other side of the road having an argument. The man was yelling and screaming at the woman. I grabbed the Old Girl's arm and stopped her saying we should wait there and watch them as the man had shut up when he saw us (the coward). The Old Girl was a bit concerned that I might get stabbed or something so I suggested that we just walk to the corner where the traffic lights were and wait there under a light so the man could see us. We stood there looking back at them making it very clear that we were watching his every move. After a while they walked back up the street to a main road area where there were more people so we decided that things were OK for the moment anyway.
The Old Girl said that as the woman was giving ad much back verbally as the man was dishing out that the situation might not be too dangerous. She said it would be a real worry if the man was doing all the yelling and the woman was mute and cowed. I guess she should know as she was in an abusive relationship years ago. I hate seeing things like this but it's universal. Too much booze I suppose.

We got home at about 2am feeling we'd had a good night out.