I'm just going to Scotland; I might be some time...

It's finally time to get to really enjoy married life. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've had a miserable Christmas or owt, but even with the stress of the wedding planning over and a lovely wedding day had there was then the misery of illness and the chaos of family frolics. It was lovely - a blessing, to be surrounded by so much love and plenty especially when some have both in such short supply - but it was also not particularly restful.

Now we get the chance to just... be.

On Christmas Day at the table we spoke of the situation in Zimbabwe and the way some small children like the Little Weasel are starving or being prepared to work in factories while he was happily stuffing his face and playing with Gordon the train. We are so, so lucky. We're planning to try and give something back in the New Year. I don't do resolutions, but I can do promises. We don't know yet exactly how but volunteer work almost certainly and definitely a good clear out of decent stuff that we're no longer using that might help a charity raise a few pennies. Whatever we do it will not be enough, but it's certainly better than the big fat not much we do now.

In the meantime we're also going to indulge in the ultimate luxury of the Western world - the holiday. We're going to nip on a train to Glasgow, pick up a car and then drive a couple of hours north west to a secluded little place where log fires, champagne, beautiful scenery, a New Year ceilidh and a lot of cosseting await.

It's a beautiful way to begin 2009, in privacy and contentment, and if we can't appreciate that then we deserve nothing.

See you next year - may it be the chance for any fresh starts you're waiting for, the catalyst to fulfill your dreams and the symbol of a happy, healthy, productive year ahead.

Hugs all round.