The morning of New Year's Day is mild but damp and drippy. We heard some fireworks last night, but fewer than usual.
I refuse to get with the meme that 2016 was peculiarly dreadful. That sort of judgement depends on a selection of news items and considerable subjectivity. Yes, a lot of celebs died but they always do. It's just that we got all worked up about it- probably because of the splash that Bowie caused by dying on the back of a very good and much publicised new album- and started noticing all the deaths and adding them to the growing list we were carrying around in our heads. The Daily Telegraph obituary editor- and he ought to know if anyone does- says there was a much bigger reaping of significant cultual figures in 1997. And as for politics? Well, I lost a good friend by determinedly looking on the bright side- so I think I'll leave that one alone...