The Tobbot Clan has been up to its eyeteeth in festivities: a Christmas feast with some friends, a New Year celebration with some more friends, (ending at 4 in the morning), and finally, a 150-mile round-trip to friends in Northampton shire for First Footing on New Year's Day!

And a strange First Footing it was too; traditionally I should have brought a lump of coal, money, salt and bread; instead, I turned up with Mrs Tobbot's Ricotta & Raisin Pie:


This was joyously accepted by our friends, and eaten with relish!

But yes, I did forget my coal, and did think about this as I walked through into their new kitchen. We sat and chatted for a while, when Mrs Tobbot commented on how cold it was. My friends then told us that their boiler had given up the ghost two nights previously, and they were waiting until Wednesday to have the plumber 'round. I asked to have a look at it, and 2 minutes later; we had warmth!

So, a tallish, dark stranger (can't get stranger than me!) bringing warmth (by re-setting the boiler) and bearing a pie; shurely a harbinger of a prosperous New Year?

And the festivities continue; Russian Orthodox Christmas this weekend, and a Russian New Year on the 13th!

So, before I forget, Se Novim Godom and Nas Dorovie!


Tobbot, aka Tobstv