New Year and into 2009 with Jo

As ever, Stew and Helen opened their door to the masses and we gathered at the Miller's home for New Year. It was a baby fest until about 8pm, and then as the 'adults' regressed through plentiful wine, spirits and beer, it was baby fest once again as we neared midnight.

Here's Niall and Jim getting intimate with a shocked Amy in the background.

Everyone wanted to try the new diet craze, which involves eating pretzels with a straw. A sure way to lose weight. (HH: Jamie that is a REALLy bad joke!)

Our friend Jo from Canada was up for a week having spent Christmas with family in Surrey. We last saw her when working in Thailand. There she is behind strategically placed balloons.

Jo had already tasted the delights of ceilidh dancing at a street party in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. Here she moved up a level to dancing in the Miller's hoose. (HH: Sorry Jo for constantly making you ceilidh dance, you didn't make us line dance once!)

We took her up to Loch Lomond on New Year's Day. (HH: as usual, Helen trying to lean in close while Jamie keeps a firm hand on her shoulder to ensure a safe distance is maintained. Loch Lomond scrubbed up quite well today, I'd like to say we had it all to ourselves but most of Bearsden followed us up there. Poor Jo's probably thinking at this point: 'are they going to make me ceilidh dance again?!')


And we took a look around Luss.




And then into the Hermitage near Dunkeld the day after.

Ossian's cave. (HH Jo here attempting - and below failing -to keep a safe distance from the lunatic in strange wellies!!)


That's ice next to the waterfall! (HH: Well done Jamie! And what else can you see...?)

Jo had a fairly traditional Scottish experience. She saw the inside of many, many pubs(HH sorry about that!), ceilidh danced and dandered around Lochs and rivers. We promise to see you in Canada soon! (HH: stonking summary from Jamie, can't beat it. Jo we miss you already xxx)