New Year's eve 2025 - what I've seen live in London, and online from Australia and what I'd like to see worldwide

UK

Local fireworks in London. Vide by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Live in London. Photo/video by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

In London we heard fireworks from about 7 pm which was already midnight in other parts of the world. Then at midnight loud eruptions of waves of noise. I ran out and saw huge bursts of red and green and white lights, one after another. Must have cost a fortune. Amazing. 

I ran back for some warm clothes and went out to the high street. 

A man from Social Dhaba Indian restaurant was crossing the street back to the restaurant. 

He waished me, 'Happy New Year!'

So I reciprocated, 'And happy New Year to you!'

I huge gust of wind carried me a couple of feet. Then the wind died away.

I hurried home, jubilantly.

Australia

Earlier I had been watching online. The first fireworks had appeared from Sydney Harbout bridge in Australia.  Bursts of circular spectacles, plus rows of lights shotting upwards vertically and forwards horizontally. 

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the lights projected from the top of a tower.

Time Clocks Needed

What we need across the top of our screens is a series of clocks, like those in the receptions of hotels, showing where the displays are already online and those starting now.

Dubai

Dubai had varied music, from pop to classical marching songs. The tower was lit by ascending spark, spirals, a diving giant bird, blocks of solid colour, red and other colours. Plus jumping fountains in rows or white, jumping and swaying in formation like trees.

America's celebrations come next, way beyond our bedtime. We will see them tomorrow, January 1st. After 9 am UK time we shall be hoping to watch the UK New Year's Day Parade, later in the Day the American parads. If possible, the New Year's Day concert from Vienna, Austria. It is usually on the radio. But we would like to watch it, pershaps a bit later on the BBC iplayer, so we can see the ballet dancers, the decorated hall and the conductor, and some amusement created between the concutor and orchestra for the last piece or encore. Failing all else, we shall look at some snippets from previous years, such as the dancers in the costumes designed by Vivien Westwood.

Yes, New Year's Day is an artificial creation. I have been reading up about the claendars created by Julian, roman Julian, updated and improved by Gregory (the one we use) and the Jewish and Moslem calendars. The Chinese are preparing for their New Year always in January or February, featuring offering a pair of oranges to family and friends and customers, and reciprocating. 

So much jollity, to overcome the bad things remembered from the year.

Labelling Photos

I have spent the day labelling photos with the birth dates, marriage dates, birthdays, and death dates, of my family.

Diary Records

A friend of mine has all her diaries in order in shoe boxes. Ask her on what date we went on holiday together fifty years ago when we first met, and she went to a box and pulled out a record of places visited and things we said. 

It is good to record and remember the good times, and hope for more good times to come. 

I wish you a safe and succcessful, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

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