Joyeux Noël

And here we are.....our first Christmas living in La Tranche. We can't claim originality for the first photo (Jean & Monique did a better version for their Cartes de Voeux last year) but hope you accept our sincere wishes for a VERY Merry Christmas - perhaps the MERRY should have been in capital letters!!

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Last night we did the 'Réveillon' at J&M's with Cécile, Arnaud, L&M. It was lovely to see the children so excited but it still felt odd that they opened their presents on Christmas Eve. The cousins made a wonderful meal and we wished each other 'Joyeux Noël' at midnight over the cheese course!

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We arose this morning to find Père Noël had been working very hard in the night and left lots of presents under our perfect Christmas tree (Photo 2 - there's the stocking on the right). When Phil eventually got up we set to on the pile of gifts and each of us was well and truly spoiled.

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Photo 3 is just to show you some of the cards we've received from 'back home'. A big thankyou to everyone who sent us cards, bringing us up-to-date with their family news. We miss you, Bingley, especially at Party Time!!

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Tine prepared and cooked a wonderful Christmas Dinner for the three of us this lunch-time, roast pork for a change. We couldn't get all the traditional ingredients but thanks to Nad's forward-thinking there was a parcel with Christmas Crackers under the tree. We're now feeling very full but will shortly be cycling to see Jean-Pierre & Catherine and family to wish them a Happy Christmas.

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Hoping all our family and friends have a wonderful Christmas, AND KEEP READING THE BLOG!!