Happy New Year! I greeted it as 2014 turned into 2015, up the top of our driveway, watching the fireworks over the distant city and the valley around us.

A morning swim before the Sun strikes the pool and forces us to seek shelter from its cancerous rays. Then, while Mother-in-law looked after Alex, B and I headed off to Miranda to watch the final episode of The Hobbit in “The Shire”. Probably the best of the three movies.

On our arrival home we confirmed that there was no gas for the BBQ, eating cold prawns and salad for our first dinner of the new year rather than miso marinaded steak. It was a pleasant meal in the heat.

Then an evening swim in the pool, the waters above 30C, colourful fairy lights and lanterns above us and the Moon flickered behind the drifting clouds edged by the last of the Sun’s light.

And as the day draws to a close, flashes and thunder as a great grey cloud chases away the heat of the day.

Welcome to 2015.