New Year's Eve

We set off in good time to drive to Allendale for the amazing ceremony of local men carrying flaming tar barrels on their heads (actually full of wood) and then lighting the bonfire. Not such a big crowd because of the snow apparently. We had a drink and toasted the New Year and returned to Shirley's for more to eat! 2 small hot air balloons went up into the clear sky. It is a unique event and could go back to Viking/Celtic origins (similar thing in Shetland where they set light to a Viking boat).

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