Ringing in 2011 at the camper

Once again, we spent New Year's Eve at the camper.  This year it was just the four of us, Dave & I and Valerie & Mark, which was nice for a change.  We would have enjoyed the girls' company too of course, had they joined us, but Val's girls were working and mine had other plans.

Dave and I were first to arrive, around 2pm.  Dave shovelled a few paths in the snow, while I unpacked our pile o' food and also emptied the firepit so we could start a fire.  (The pit was full of snow and ice and frozen ashes...not much was going to burn in that!)
 


Dave surveying the fire (good thing we brought dry paper from home!)







I tried to sneak up on Dave for a candid shot of the two of us...I think it turned out remarkably good considering how hard he was trying to twist away from the camera! :)

 




Valerie and Mark landed a couple hours later...here they are, all cosy and full of good cheer! :)


The weather was relatively mild, so it was a wonderful winter evening to sit outside. 





I stuck the end of a stick into the fire until the end was glowing, let my inner child loose and spun it round and round to make circles and ribbons of light in the night...



 

I love this photo Valerie took of the sparks leaping off the fire...our own little fireworks display.  Another group of campers set off *real* fireworks, but in reality, they weren't as interesting as our bonfire!

Nearing the end of a wonderful and relaxing evening...enjoying the warmth of a roaring fire and the love of a best friend!

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.

~ Irish Toast