I have a plan for New Year’s Eve. I will sit outside, with a glass of brandy and a cuban cigar. I will blow rings of smoke into the air and watch them disappear. From time to time, I will take a bit of the brandy and feel it going down into my stomach creating this burning, warm feeling.

On the first day of the year, I will get up, have a cup of coffee and drive down to the 40 foot. I will meet a few friends and together we will go for a swim.

Leaving the old behind and greeting the new will both be pretty intense. I want to mark that changeover to the new year, because it will mark change in my life.

Some of my German family is over for a visit. Just a few days. We watched old photographs together on a big TV screen. I took a copy of the USB stick the photographs came on. A lot of work had been put in to their preparation. I will keep that copy, but I don’t think I will watch the pictures again. Looking back is hurtful.

Today being Thursday, Pádraig had his friends over for visit. At lunch time, one of his best friends stopped by on the way to the airport, a one way ticket to Nepal in his pocket. Later in the afternoon, another two friends stopped by sharing stories about their lives and adventures.

I’m thinking. What will be our next adventure?