Even if I'm not exactly dry, I feel quite drained. I'm not even going to mention washing the clothes at this time of year. We still have Grandma with us, who pops in and out to the clothes line at the merest blink of sun, a bit like the lady out of one of those little weather houses. It is customary at this time of year in the church, to turn our thoughts to John the Baptist. He too was concerned with washing.
New Year is a time for new starts.
1996 with its triumphs and disasters, joys and sorrows, is gone. 1997 is a clean sheet. I'll leave you with a prayer of William Barclay's of whom I am a great fan. O God our Father , help us not to live a life which is never any further on. May I wish all of you,both near and far a very happy 1997.