Merry Christmas!

          We spent a lovely weekend in Lille visiting Lisa, Remi and Tanya and were joined by my niece Gemma, Anthony and Gen, making us a party of nine - sadly only Naomi missing. Lisa and Remi have bought a terrace house in Lille which they have been working on with the help of a builder and have completely rebuilt the inside, knocking down walls and changing staircases etc..The floor, the kitchen and the electricity, nearly forgot the wall in the bathroom, have just to be completed and they are very optimistic that they will be moved in at the end of January! On Saturday evening we toasted their house with champagne and then returned to the comfort and warmth of their flat for a fun evening. On Sunday, which was a cold but clear day, we drove to Bruges which is so charming and like something out of a Christmas card. There was ice skating in the main square surrounded by a lovely Christmas market. Horses and carriages were trotting around the cobbled streets and all the shops and restaurants were tastefully and invitingly decorated. The only downside of this beautiful town are the prices and the tourists , however we just about managed a hot chocolate in a cafe.

  Despite the rain, wind and a little snow, I am just thinking what a lovely time to return home during the Christmas season. I have been able to see all the family before we all gather again for the actual Christmas celebration at La Ferme des Vallots. I have been included in several end of term "dos"; I'm off to make wreaths and candles this afternoon and then another dinner with friends tonight; there will be Christmas Carols sung on Friday evening in a little church nearby and more mulled wine and mince pies. Despite many of us "anglais" having been in the Normandie for many years we still like to cling onto some of the traditions such as mince pies and sausage rolls in preference to oysters and foie gras! I was hoping that I might have had time to be organised for Christmas but I should know better by now - there are still more presents to be bought and much cooking to be done, not to mention the tree that has to be decorated etc... Yet somehow we'll muddle through and despite the imperfections I know that we will have a wonderful Christmas together. On that optimistic note I would like to wish you all and your families a very happy Christmas  wherever you are and thank you for all your kind words of encouragement about my blog. Joyeux Noel!