New brew

So, farewell and good riddance to 2020. You didn't provide us with good (20-20) vision, just the horrors of leaving the EU at the end of January and the safe harbour of the transition period in just over an hour's time, and the spectre of the much feared but little prepared for global pandemic of infectious disease.

On the plus side, while my horizons feel awfully limited compared to previous years, I did publish a well received book in June, and generally I've made decent progress on various writing projects. There was a small administrative matter in October, which might make future travelling in the EU easier.... When it comes. And Mr A and I have been lucky to keep our health and wellbeing amidst all of the difficulties that have arisen. Unlike many others, we are not ending the year mourning the loss of family or friends, and for that we can call ourselves blessed.

We've also taken the opportunity to explore the neighbourhood a little more in our retail exploits, and today we managed to support the second brewery that has established itself in the Jane Street/Tennant Street trading estate. After Campervan Brewery, please welcome Newbarns Brewery, whose ales we enjoyed this evening. Mr A loved the Plain Dark Beer, which is both ridiculously strong and ridiculously expensive, and I enjoyed cans of Pale Ale: Citra & Ekuanot and Oat Lager Beer (preferring the former over the latter). We also got a bottle of locally distilled gin, from Leith Links no less, which we'd never come across before, which might feature in a future blip.

And amongst all of that, Blipfoto has continued as a constant. Blipping every day is both a habit and a pleasure, not always enjoyed on the day and sometimes done somewhat perfunctorily, but it is, as ever, a source of virtual and real life engagement for which I'm grateful.

Bring it on, 2021. You have to offer something....surely?