As usual we left NYE planning to the last minute. None of us knew what to do, do we spend a fortune going clubbing? Go for dinner? Or shall we hold a party? The party won. I managed to persuade Peter to hold one in his pool house...after all, if you have an indoor pool you may as well put it to good use!
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| Photo from Jasiminne. |
The plan was to drink, eat, be merry, meet some cool new people from outside the usual 'clubland' circle, and swim. I did everything but eat and swim. I learnt a vital lesson this NYE. Always eat before you drink. I hadn't eaten all day, then after one glass of wine I started feeling a little woozy. Another glass...ok I need to eat. Peter got some pizza and bread for me, but it was too late. I passed out at around 11pm, missed the countdown completely, and woke up at 2am. I felt a bit better so joined the others in dancing, before feeling totally drained and a bit icky again, so had another nap.
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| Photo from Jasiminne. |
Not only did I learn to always eat before drinking, but I also learnt that I have some really epic people in my life, both old and new friends. I literally couldn't have been looked after any better; they gave me food, water, held my hair back, took my heels off and replaced them with flats, carried me outside for fresh air, carried me back inside, put me on the sofa, took my flats off, put socks on my feet, put two jumpers on me as I was shivering so much, put a pillow under my head, and then covered me with coats to keep me warm, gave me cuddles, and then took me to the main house when I needed 'real' sleep.
The following day we slept in, and then the seven of us who stayed over helped with the clean up before ordering pizza and settling down to Aladdin and Lord of the Rings. The perfect New Years Day, spent with friends eating food and watching good movies. It did end with an impromptu drive from Essex to Heathrow Airport though when someone *coughpartyhost* got their flight details wrong, and had no way of getting there before the flight left unless I drove him. After two hours stuck in traffic on the M25 we made it just in time, and my first good deed of 2014 was complete, and it was time for me to head home for more sleep.
So kids, there's a lesson here amongst all this rambling. Have fun, but be safe. I don't condone drinking to the point you pass out, but sometimes it happens, if it does, make sure you're surrounded by good people who will help you. Huge thank you to all of you - you know who you are! Also you can read about what everyone got up to while I was having my nap on Jasiminne's blog, I managed to drag her along to meet some awesome new people, and she had a blast!
I guess at least I looked pretty happy and content whilst in my slumber? Check out that cheeky little smile.
Happy 2014 Everyone!