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