Last year, we had a lovely multi-course dinner at 'Fat Canary', a beautiful restaurant in Williamsburg, and watched fireworks at midnight with champagne, on Duke of Gloucester Street.

This year we will be having osso bucco and red wine by our own dining room fireplace, and will no doubt be asleep well before midnight.

In between, we've had career and health challenges, and both the immediate and long term prospects for our nation seem very uncertain. But in our house we have faith in God, country, ourselves and each other, and we'll raise our glasses with calm optimism.

A happy and healthy New Year to you all!