The ultimate lock-in

How did you celebrate New Year? Staying in watching tedious telly reviews of the past year and decade? A wild night out in a big city with fireworks, silly hats and Auld Lang Syne? (Me? I settled for champagne, a rental film and bed before midnight... sad aren't I?)

Well, 30 guests at the highest pub in England certainly got more than they bargained for - and had a New Year's celebration they'll never forget. They planned on staying overnight at The Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales - and ended up staying three days because of the wintry weather.

The resident DJ told BBC News that people's spirits were kept up (gin, vodka, brandy, sherry no doubt) and that it was a "heart-warming" experience - again, probably helped by the copious amount of alcohol quite literally 'on tap'. Everyone mucked in, doing chores around the inn, which stands at 1,700 metres above sea level in Swaledale.

It must've been quite a community - the ultimate 'big brother' experience (without the cameras!) Among the group were students from Leeds University and one summed it up by saying, "It's been fun - the ultimate lock-in!" I'll raise a glass to that!

No doubt when snow ploughs got through the seven-foot drifts on Sunday and it was time to finally head downhill and back to reality, some of the guests felt a little sad. I wonder if a local bobby was on hand with a breathalyser at the bottom of the hill - it would've made for interesting results.

I've enjoyed a relaxed, family Christmas and New Year. The week spent with the in-laws in the Kent countryside was fantastic, though it was a shame my father-in-law was only just recovering from a knee operation and not on best form. He's a very active guy usually, so being stuck on the sofa and struggling with sticks was frustrating for him to say the least.

Seeing him certainly made me wonder how I'll be in 30 years' time - and made me appreciate my working joints. My mother-in-law certainly made the most of it, getting me to shovel snow and ice and collect logs for the fire. Hope you're back on your feet properly again soon, Alan!!

Finally, one resolution for 2010 - to ensure my blogs are more regularly written. This is my first 'muse' for six weeks and I'll endeavour to add more in the coming weeks. And for those on Twitter, you can follow me at www.twitter.com/andrewdubock