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