Background music .

Wet . Very wet . One of those days when the Atlantic rain seeps deep into your clothing . Wilf prefers to lie curled up indoors rather than go outside . Reluctantly he joins us for a late afternoon walk along the banks of the stream . '' It'll be good for you " I tell him . He looks unconvinced .

Ten thirty at night . The family fellow decides to turn in . He wanders into the dining room and is soon blissfully asleep in front of the fireplace . From time to time he passes wind . He's been given brussel sprouts with his evening kibbles so these interruptions are both more frequent and more highly pitched than usual . As the old year gives way to the new , the sound of a snoring, trumpeting sheepdog joins the skirl of the pipes and the clink of champagne glasses . The background music of a family house blessed with an old, faithful, friend . Laughter all round .

The mayor proposes a local toast . '' Love works its miracles every day, weakening the strong, strengthening the weak, making fools of the wise, and wise men of fools. Happy New Year ". The old widow finally smiles .