| Every year, preparations for the 31st of | | | | but homely, 'cottage' feel throughout. The |
| December have followed the same pattern for | | | | bedroom has a sumptuous, king-size bed |
| Andy and Julie. They invite all their | | | | adorned with beautifully crisp, fresh linen |
| friends round and Julie spends the best part | | | | and an opulent quilt, together with a |
| of a week cleaning the house from top to | | | | hand-carved vanity unit and dressing table. |
| bottom, trying to make everything look | | | | The bathroom has a separate walk-in shower |
| respectable following the rigors of | | | | and huge, fluffy white towels hang invitingly |
| Christmas. By the time New Year's Eve | | | | on the rails. The kitchen, newly fitted in |
| arrives, even the vacuum cleaner doesn't want | | | | pine, has everything they could possibly |
| to cooperate, refusing point blank to pick up | | | | need; fridge/freezer, oven, hob, microwave, |
| the Christmas tree's fallen pine needles from | | | | dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker... and the |
| the carpet. Andy goes to the off-licence to | | | | lounge is the ultimate in comfort, with a |
| buy enough alcohol to sink a battleship, | | | | fabulous view from the window of the |
| whilst Julie (by her own admission, no Delia | | | | tree-lined street below. There's a huge, |
| Smith) heads for the kitchen and attempts to | | | | soft sofa to sink into, and even a great |
| tackle the buffet. Many hours and scores of | | | | selection of books, videos and CDs to choose |
| vol-au-vents later, Julie's exhausted, | | | | from, in the highly unlikely event that they |
| covered in flour and a bit fed up, and there | | | | need to create their own entertainment. |
| isn't enough room in the fridge for all those | | | | |
| chicken drumsticks. Andy can't remember | | | | It's the last day of the year, but Andy and |
| where he stored the guests' inflatable | | | | Julie have plenty of time to take in some of |
| mattresses from last year and seems to be | | | | the sights of London before the festivities |
| suffering the mild depression that many of us | | | | begin. They begin with a leisurely stroll |
| experience at the end of the year. | | | | around Kew village, with its wonderful shops, |
| | | | and finish with a first class dinner in one |
| On the eve itself, it's very much an 'open | | | | of its many marvellous restaurants. Then |
| house', a case of 'all welcome'; the party | | | | it's back to the apartment to freshen up with |
| comes and goes, but then there's the | | | | an invigorating shower and get changed into |
| aftermath on New Year's Day... paper plates, | | | | party gear. New Year in London wouldn't be |
| half eaten sausage rolls, party poppers and | | | | right without a visit to the London Eye, and |
| streamers all over the floor... bodies | | | | a short taxi ride takes them there. There |
| littered everywhere in various stages of | | | | must be thousands of people, young and old, |
| slumber, including one individual, curled up | | | | all soaking in the wonderful atmosphere. |
| in the bath, wearing little more than a party | | | | It's electric. And as the big countdown |
| hat and an apologetic grin. Eventually, | | | | starts and Big Ben strikes midnight, a mighty |
| their groggy guests having gone, Andy and | | | | whoop goes up as the crowd is entertained by |
| Julie have a hearty breakfast of paracetamol | | | | the most breathtaking firework display from |
| and water, and set about the business of | | | | the floodlit London Eye and the river, |
| clearing up the devastation. (Did they | | | | accompanied by the sound of countless |
| really get through that many bottles?) | | | | champagne corks popping. Cries of 'Happy New |
| | | | Year' abound, as complete strangers laugh and |
| It's going to be very different this year. | | | | embrace each other. It's a truly spectacular |
| Andy and Julie decide they're going to have | | | | start to a brand new year. |
| some time to themselves - all the fun of New | | | | |
| Year, without the fuss. A luxury serviced | | | | Happy and giggling like teenagers, Andy and |
| apartment in West London fits the bill | | | | Julie return to the luxury of their serviced |
| exactly. They're pleasantly surprised at the | | | | apartment which is every bit as spick and |
| cost, and booking on the Internet couldn't be | | | | span as when they arrived. In their absence, |
| easier. | | | | as if by magic, the dishwasher has been |
| | | | emptied and the contents tidily put away, and |
| The apartment is situated at Kew, in the | | | | fresh towels have been placed in the |
| Borough of Richmond, just minutes away from | | | | bathroom. The clothes they wore earlier have |
| the famous botanical gardens. From the | | | | even been folded and placed in a neat pile on |
| moment they arrive, they know they've made | | | | the bedroom stool. Later in the morning, |
| the right choice. The apartment is | | | | with not a vol-au-vent or party popper in |
| absolutely spotless. It's light, airy and | | | | sight, Andy and Julie laugh as they snuggle |
| spacious, immaculately decorated and | | | | up in bed, thinking back to last New Year's |
| tastefully equipped with every facility they | | | | Day. It's strange, they never did discover |
| could wish for. Neutral cream furnishings | | | | who the guy in the bath was. |
| and natural warm woods give a contemporary, | | | | |