Today is Christmas Dinner.

Today is the reason that this website was created.

The festive spirit built up gradually. Starting with re-arranging chairs and tables in the garden patio area; then placing the tiny live Christmas treee in its pot on a small table in front of the doorway to the entrance door, so that it was visable from up the alley.

John led a search for Xmas decorations, and the little Christmad tree became be-decked in tinsle. We started to get into the mood and put up an old painting sheet with blobs of paint looking like snow, behind the tree. Then the Xmas lights went up. Strung across this backdrop and over the doors and up into the olive tree. With triumph, we discovered more lights, and soon the entire area under the balcony was looking festive. Angie from down the road popped in. It turned out that ahe was a professional window dresser, and later when John found even more lights hidden in the Lego box, the entire courtyard was transformed.

Peter and I were awarded 6 points by Angie for our design. Angie did not say out of how many! Peter reckoned 6/6. I thought she was being polite and that it was 6/100!

Anyway by the time it was all finished the entire courtyard looked really festive a welcoming and exciting place to be.

The ladies went off to shop armed with my credit card. They returned triumphantly with  the very elusive brussel sprouts, and chicken to be stuffed with roquefort cheese and wrapped in ham.

During this time I took the dogs out for short walks. Topsy’s right shoulder is still causing her to limp, but is getting better. I even managed to find some holly-like leaves for the Christmas Pudding!

I sat down and worked out a route to the coast that goes due south from here and should take 3-4 days to walk the 60k. I discussed with John the mechanics of it, and he is happy to keep Topsy while Happy and I walk. Then bring Topsy to meet us at the end, and drive us on to the railway station at Agde.  Then I can catch the train up to see friends in Les Eyzies-sur-Tayac, before going back to St. Malo to pick up the car.

Yorkshireman Andy, husband of Angie, turned up and at 5PM, after ceremoniously transferring the Christmas Pudding to Di, we trouped down to his house for pre-Christmas Dinner beers, leaving the ladies in peace to cook it! We returned at 7PMand had a truly wonderful meal. As it was dark by 7.30PM the lights were very atmospheric.

Then came the time for the Christmas Pudding! As we filmed it, John brought it in and poured a whiskey saice over it and set it all alight! It flamed up beautifully and the holly started to burn nicely! I cut it into 8 and although only 600g, the portions wete very filling. I saved a small bit for Happy and Topsy, as they had helped get it here.

Then Di produced some of her home-made lemon sorbet which was delicious.

A wonderful meal, great company and a great memory at the end of my trip.