FRANCE - DECEMBER 2004
This visit will be the last for a couple of months since I have holidays booked for January and February 2005, the first since October / November 2003.
Fortunately the gales in the channel subsided the day before my departure to France.In Mayenne there was the usual firework display, and, as last year, many villages had their own street celebrations and markets. After firing up the oil burner to warm the house, I managed a little work in the few days before Christmas, but again nothing major... just finishing touches, tiles, shelves etc.
Bethany's Birthday and Christmas Eve saw some socialising at La Petite Reigniére ... the roast duck was delicious!
Christmas Day morning was sunny, with clear blue skies. There had been an overnight frost.
Christmas day lunch was at La Petite Reigniére, where Sara and Tony had also invited a couple of friends. Smoked oysters and mussels, paté, and Italian ham and figs, preceded the turkey ( Dolly to her friends ).
A good time was had by all ... although some found it difficult to get at the food !
Boxing Day morning saw a little snow, just enough for a light covering, but it soon melted during the day. A start was made on re-fixing and extending the plasterboard panels in the bedroom, and tape jointing them properly ready for plaster and finish.
Again I was lucky to avoid bad weather in the channel on my return on December 28th, the day before had been very bad.