How did they do that? #Blogmanay

Hogmanay - last day of the year and a cause for celebration. In Edinburgh over the last 20+ years the city has taken over the spectacle and made it a world-renowned event which is a far cry from our traditional all getting drunk and gathering at the Tron (ah, the stuff of youth).

This year, the Pet Shop Boys were playing at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, and my dear other half who still loves their music had bought tickets the minute they went on sale. Other bands had been added to the bill - the 10.07s, Nina Nesbit and The 1975. Due to wandering into town we missed the first act (the 10.07s), but saw and enjoyed the others. [More photos in [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanmcnaughton/sets/72157638347847166/]this set[/url].] Each hour, on the hour, a short burst of fireworks was set off, and it is from the 11 o'clock burst that I took this particular image. Don't you love the colours, which are to represent the Scottish Thistle? More fireworks.

Curiously, on the way in to the main bandstand, we were warned that the Pet Shop Boys did not want photographs taken during their set. I, being a natural obeyer of rules, only transgressed 'a little' and have saved a couple of images for posterity. But really, how did they ever think this was going to be policed? There were people with cameras, cell phones and tablets all recording and photographing to their hearts content. They were FABULOUS in concert. A great light show, mad costumes, reminders of our youth in the 1980s. A good time was had. Marred a little by the self same cell-phones bringing us news from home - but that shouldn't detract from the spectacle itself. Oh, and the Fireworks at midnight were amazing. Haven't ever been that close, and when you can feel the spent stuff from the explosions falling on you - well that's close to the action!

Happy New Year to all who pass this way. Let's hope for good things in 2014.