MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
We have now been in France for over 5 months. How quickly it has gone. We are loving every minute of it.
Christmas decorations are up in the shops and so very well displayed. The french seem to go to so much more effort. The flower shops are all amazing.
Christmas markets are in most villages around France.Visited the Christmas Markets at La Chartre for Bill's birthday - then, of course went straight to the hardware shops.
The price of seafood seemed quite high at these markets. The lobsters were selling at 78 euros per kilo.Decided to have Roast Lamb for Christmas dinner this year.
Seemed more appropriate anyway seeing as the temperature only 8 degrees.
We made a trip to Montmorillon a few weekends ago to purchase a second hand wheelchair in case my Mum needs one when she is here.
That's some more wonderful news that we had a few months ago. My elderly parents will be flying across the world to visit us for 3 months next year. We are so excited and planning out places to take them. We can't wait.
We went to the Bourganeuf markets a few Saturday's ago and we had the lovely opportunity to meet a lady called Deni Ibbs. She and her husband, Doug, renovated a derelict Chateau about 60kms from us in La Creuse and it was filmed by Grand Designs in 2004. They are both an inspiration and it was lovely to meet her. Ended up having a photo taken and buying her book. They have since sold the Chateau in Vidaillet and moved on.
We had our Christmas luncheon at the Parish on the 20th Dec. The place was rockin'. Interesting for the entertainment - there was a guy dressed up with a red cape, texan boots wearing a texan hat, playing Abba's "Waterloo" on his loud speakers. Complete with a strobing ball in the background.
Christmas "Cafe Franglaise" night was a hoot. Lots of food, wine, Santa and we got to practice our french.
During these winter months there never seems to be enough time in the day to do what we need to get done. Maybe it's the shorter hours of sunlight or maybe it's that we are cramming too much into our days or being too social. Whatever the reason, it's still fun and what we don't get done today we leave for another day.
Some pics of the projects Bill is working on around the house and barn.
Fixing up the walls in the wardrobe.......
Christmas day was a quiet day for us. Reminiscing with photos of family and friends, making phone and skype calls back home and then playing some french monopoly (I won of course).
Followed by a rather large lamb roast and vegies.
Today (Boxing Day) received a beautiful Christmas cake from Deb and Graham - thanks heaps guys.
Looking forward to munching into that once we do the Christmas pud thing with the gallon of brandy (it's called cognac in France) that Bill just has to put into the pudding sauce.
Bonne année
Wendy
