January in the Languedoc

We arrived back in France on January 1st to blue skies. It wasn't much different in terms of temperature than London, but the beautiful blue skies are always a happy sight.
We soon discovered that some friends, Frances and Bryan, had returned to Scotland unexpectedly, leavening their dog Kayla with Ann-Marie who lived close to us. When we first bought our house, we used to enjoy taking Ann-Marie's dog, Guinness, for long walks until he died. We know Kayla quite well and so were pleased to have a dog to roam the countryside with again.








The blue skies turned to grey on Wednesday and soon we were seeing sleet. Snow does fall here occasionally, but it usually melts immediately. This time it was hanging around:




When we woke this morning, the snow had stopped and we were back to blue skies.












The snow has lasted all day despite the sun and temperatures hitting 8 C. This is our first experience of snow that has lasted for more than 24 hours. We await tomorrow.
Pat and John on tour

Last post of the year

We are now back at home after spending Christmas in London with all the family.
Before we left France, we went to a Christmas carol service in the Abbaye de Fontcaude near Cazadarnes, Béziers. The carol service has been organised for the past 20 or so years by David Allner and Peggy Ashworth, both now in their 80s. David was once an organ scholar at Emmanuel College in Cambridge and plays in various churches and Abbayes in the area.
The carol service was originally attended by anglophones, but is now attended by French people as well. Last year it was so full that many were turned away, but this year there were several services on the same day, so it was more comfortable, especially at the bun fight afterwards!
Construction on the Abbeye de Fontcaude started in 1154 according to Wikipedia. Restoration work takes place when money permits and proceeds from the carol service go towards the restoration.




Yes, you can see shells on the robes of the Confrerie de St Jacques (as in St Jacques de Compostela and Coquille St Jacques).
David welcoming the audience




and playing the organ.




There were four readings, including one by Pat reading a poem by Robert Herrick, English and French carols as well as chants by the Confrerie.
When it was all over, we left the church, walked through a courtyard lit by candles and enjoyed the local wines and plenty of meats and cheeses.
We flew to London on 15th of December and stayed at Helen and Nick's for several nights before moving to the flat nearby where we had stayed in August and September. Our time was spent seeing the family including James of course, and Pat was particularly pleased to be with everyone on her 64th birthday. We were able to babysit to let Helen and Nick get some time together and take Ernie for walks in his baby sling. Pat also went with him and Helen into Central London so that Helen could shop.
On the 19th, Ernie held his first Christmas party for his mates: cake and mulled wine for the mums and milk for the babies. Here are some of the 7 babies:




The flat is very close to a very small restaurant/jazz club which we discovered in August. We called in one evening to eat and the chef, Patrick, recognised us immediately. We then returned the next two nights to enjoy live jazz.
On Christmas Day, everyone came to us for champagne, nibbles and wine. Here Is Pat in the flat, waiting for everyone to arrive.




and with Ernie.




and then we moved on to Helen's for the main course and present opening.




Needless to say, Ernie couldn't stay awake for all his presents, but he managed to eat the paper of a few and saved the rest for another day. The robin paper from his Auntie Eira was the favourite.




We really enjoyed our time seeing Ernie and feel so privileged to be able to see so much of him.
On New Year's Eve, we managed to stay up till midnight and to see the London fireworks from Helen and Nick's flat. We returned to France on New Year's Day and were happy to be back home for a while.
Finally, here are some more pics of the young man, the first taken by James.








The 2013 blog, which will feature a trip to South Africa in February and March, is at http://uzin2013.blogspot.com
Pat and John at home