New Year's Day 2013.

The 1st of January 2013 greeted us here, at least, to a cloudless clear icy blue sky.And sunshine! Something I cannot resist! So, wrapping up warm, I decided to have my breakfast outside sitting at a patio table covered in ice patterns.

A first for me, like the day itself. Hubby was snuggly oblivious to all this, being in the Land of Nod....zzz

I so enjoyed the novelty of the sun, low down in the sky, as it's rays climbed and crept across the garden, melting the frost.  

The steaming mug of coffee left a ring where the ice had been. 

The previous evening having already spent 3 hours in the cinema earlier, to see the new Hobbit film, we decamped to another friend's house to await the old year disappearing.    

Breakfast on New Year's Day. 

 I had not had much sleep the night before, necessitating another visit to the doc's on the morning of New Year's Eve, (due to a continuing bout of sinusitus), so we left before midnight, like Cinderella, to drive home. But we were able to watch the fireworks all around the area, as they burst into the sky, and the sound resounded in the clear air. We were in the loft bedroom, which has a panoramic view over the gardens and rooftops. As we remained there for awhile, Chinese lanterns began to appear, floating one by one against the back drop of the stars. We counted 15 in total, a they drifted high up, from the west to the east.
So the New Year was ushered in for us.
Uncharted territory.                    

The Hobbit

As a passing reference to The Hobbit, we found it a bit too long. I have read the book twice, and also The Lord of The Rings, which caught my imagination in the early 1980's. I think you either like Tolkien or you can't understand what all the fuss is about!
The film itself is extremely good. A second being in the pipe-line.
There are 3 in the Lord of the Rings saga.
The epic journeys undertaken in the books are translated very well on to he cinema screen. Yet, as I have already remarked, the whole thing was very drawn out.
So, as I write, Tiger having insisted on sitting on my lap, and  now curled up asleep, the first day is now no longer fresh and new.
(Incidentally, typing on a laptop which is balanced on the arm of the settee, can be a bit tricky at times! Fur ball having taken the available space).
It is almost time for tea. We have spent a lot of time today out of doors, completing a walk this morning and another after lunch.
The cold fresh air is beneficial for me.
It creates a healthy appetite!
Now it needs satisfying............before the day closes.