posted on 20 December 2007 15:33
by
Christine Phillips
20/12/07 Joyeux Noel
I’ve just got time (I think) to get a quick post done for December before we leave to spend Christmas with the family in the UK. We have just managed to get all our preparations done in time – we lose a couple of days due to travelling and it gets tight to have everything finished by the 21st instead of Christmas Eve! This year saw us putting up the tree and decorations later than ever before – partially due to Geoff having booked the chimney sweep to come and sweep both the chimneys the week before Christmas! The sweep came, took one look at the bit of snow on the roof, decided a roof visit was not appealing and left saying he would return in the New Year when the snow had gone.
We did manage to find a carol service this year though. Geoff saw an advertisement in the local paper for an English carol service in Clermont Ferrand at the Protestant Church. We really enjoyed it – it was a traditional service with readings and carols - all in English too. We found ourselves sitting next to a couple who live in Sauxillanges (the village near us) and have subsequently been to see them for a meal. Another nice friendship I think as we all got on very well together.
We also went to the Christmas Market in Clermont but found it very disappointing so next year I am going to treat myself to a trip to one of the big famous markets in France. We did enjoy all the Christmas lights in Clermont and Issoire though. Issoire in particular has some stunning displays this year.
I have also been helping with the Croix Rouge’s fundraising activities by spending a couple of afternoons gift wrapping presents at a toy shop in Issoire. I have to say that some of the toys these days are very odd shapes and wrapping them is not easy! The guitar was particularly challenging! All the buyers got a very good deal having all their present wrapping done for them – and some of them were not very generous in their donations I can tell you!
I mentioned in last month’s blog that we were going to see Isabelle and Jean-Pierre’s bread oven in action in the village. We had a very interesting evening – peering though the billows of thick smoke at times – with some other neighbours. We had all taken something to cook in the oven (Geoff made some bread which was delicious) and a good time was had by all as we waited for the stuff to cook. It was fascinating to see how the oven was prepared and how the whole process worked from the lighting of the fire in the oven itself, to the clearing out of the burning embers, the cleaning of the stone chamber and then the actual baking itself. We found it all very interesting and it was great to talk to some of the older people who remembered all this as an everyday event. The food and drink wasn’t bad either!
It has been very cold here for the last couple of weeks with temperatures as low as -8 some nights. The mountains look fantastic though, all covered in snow. They have opened the ski pistes already, which is very early for this region. The garden is totally frost bound and the poor old fig tree which Geoff had such high hopes for, is a total goner, I’m afraid! Geoff has also declared war on the moles in the garden as they are becoming a menace. In some parts of the lawn there are more mole hills than grass at the moment so he has taken steps to try and reduce the numbers of the little furry things. I am not asking or involved in this process – I just hope it works!
OK, time has run out! It just remains for me to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and best Wishes for 2008. And, please keep the comments coming – I do like to know who is still reading.