We enjoyed some of the best ever New Year celebrations last night. It was simply great that we had the Suffolk and Midlands Branch bears staying with us, and it is undoubtedly the case that a house full of bears is a happy house.
The evening started off in the best possible way with a wonderful Thai meal prepared by our very own Chef Oakley. While Oakley was busy preparing the meal, those of us who aren't much help in the kitchen sorted through some fireworks, ready for later.
By the time we'd finished dining, it had, unfortunately, started to rain. We were a little dismayed as fireworks and rain don't mix. However, we still had pudding to go, and Oakley had really excelled himself, conjuring up a take on a Heston special, a reconstructed Black Forest gateau, with the posh name of a 'buche'.
Polly's nephew, Helmut, who is motorcycle crazy, tested the strength of the chocolate casing by riding along the top (we think he was trying to reconstruct the opening rooftop bike sequence in Skyfall). The chocolate was of excellent quality and very smooth, so stood up to the riding test (we had insisted on a drive through a disinfectant bath first).
Pudding was so delicious we lingered over it, long enough for it to have stopped raining by the time plates were scraped clean. We all trooped outside to see our big box of fireworks go off. Police girl Polly, being a very responsible type, acted as chief pyromaniac for us, and took charge of lighting.
It was a splendid selection and gave us a feast of colours, bangs, whistles, splutters and fizzes - all very exciting stuff. We were sad when they were over, but not for long, as back inside the Bear Cave we settled down to a few games of Boggle and Jenga - all fiercely competitive, with Branch honour at stake.
After toasting the New Year, we headed back outside for a midnight launch of some sky lanterns, kindly supplied by the Suffolk Branch ...
We'd seen them before, but this was the first time we'd lit and launched one. We all took a turn at sending one off into the dark sky and making a wish. We thought it was quite magical and a special moment.
The New Year had started very well for us, we hope it has for you too.
Love from all in Norfolk, Suffolk and Midlands Branches xxx
