G'day Charley Noble,

: ... How are you planning to greet the New Year? ..." By the time you posted that question, Patricia and I had greeted the New Year with a toast in champagne, over at the home of friends Kathy, David and their kids Sarah and Harriet ... and quietly tacked on a few more sips at 1.00 am Eastern Summer Time for the non-Daylight Saving Time New Year (on EST, we are 17 hours ahead of you!).

The evening was pleasant; the bushfires has been kept in check with moderate temperatures, low winds and the efforts of ten thousand firefighters; the north easterly winds cleared off the smoke pall and brought perfect conditions for the NYE fireworks (going ahead after consultation with fire authorities!). We saw a bit of it above the rooftops of Mosman, where Kathy (plays flute in Backblocks) & David live.

Very few band gigs, New Year's Eve ... too hot and evryone is watching the fireworks ... or drinking too much.

I hope you enjoyed your far cooler NYE!

Regards,

Bob Bolton