I adhere to the Scottish tradition of cleaning thoroughly in the morning of the 31st. I've just finished washing the kitchen floor (the last one to be done). Washing was done yesterday, so now I am having my so-called rest, on gransnet and checking e-mail.
The component parts of the trifle for this evening's dinner are cooling in the kitchen. Dinner menu adheres to the Danish tradition (or one of them, the other being boiled cod, to which I am not partial, and neither of us cares for the price of cod these days.) We shall be having boiled ham with kale in white sauce and boiled potatoes fried in sugar that has caramelized and margarine.
Being past the age of wild parties, and sharing the dislike of stray kisses and cuddles, we stay at home. This year no guests, cats are a perfect excuse for staying in, although neither of them are scared of fireworks.
At 6 p.m. we will listen to Queen Margrethe's New Year's address to the nation. On New Year's eve we dress for dinner. At midnight being t-total we toast the new year in fruit juice diluted with tonic water, makes a nice fizzy drink, if anyone else needs a non-alcoholic beverage with bubbles. Stand to attention for the playing of the national anthems of which Denmark has two, one for the country and one for the sovereign .
Probably we will nip outside and wish the neighbours a Happy New Year just after midnight.
Go to bed as soon as the fireworks have all been let of by our neighbours and we are sure nothing has caught fire here or been damaged by youngsters playing tricks like setting fire to the bins, or shoving a firework into our mail-box.
"On parade" again by 11.30 on New Year's Day for the broadcast of the concert from Vienna.
Trying hard not to dwell on the fact that my sister died in the early hours of New Year's Day 2016, so my warmest sympathy for those of you ´who are mourning loved ones.
Best wishes to you all for a Good New Year and a prosperous and healthy 2018. See you next year!