Our last day of 2006 was actually very quiet. We headed back to the Royal Mile planning to do some more sight-seeing. Unfortunately the wet, windy and cold weather drove us to find refuge indoors in a pub (The Tass). We brunched, wrote postcards and waited out the weather. Regrettably, the weather won this battle. We returned to our hotel to prepare for our big evening with a disco nap.

On our journey back to the hotel we experienced "the weather" that instigated all the warnings from the meteorological bureaus. While we were walking, the heavens opened and it started to pour. This rain storm combined with a 110km/h (70mph) wind, meant that the raindrops were being driven horizontally into our faces as we ran to get out of the rain. It stung!

Back at the hotel we napped for a bit and then started to get into party mode with a few rounds of drinks and a packet of twisties. Our plan was to head out at around 8.30pm. Sadly this plan was turned on its head when at 8pm we heard the news that the street party had been cancelled.

We regrouped and headed in to the Royal Mile to meet up with some Aussie friends of friends. Unfortunately this plan also failed when I left my mobile phone in the hotel (oops!). We spent most of the evening in the Albanach chatting with the people around us and knocking back beer and cider. At midnight we all spilled out on to the street where we hugged total strangers and wished everyone around a happy new year.


While it wasn't best New Year's Eve I've ever had, I can't say it was the worst.

Next up: pushing through the pain barrier on New Years Day...