CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

OK! - It's winter, it's been raining stair-rods, the days are short, the skies are grey and it's cold. BUT - although we're not so active, there is plenty going on here in St Jean de Losne.

Slo-Motion winter mooring

We made an unscheduled flying visit to the UK at the end of November, mainly to have our MOTs with Doctors, Dentist etc. We had also decided that without a car, we were wasting our winter by not being able to visit some of the beautiful towns and countryside which are all around us. Our plans to use public transport didn't work out - there are few buses and trains, and they run very early and very late, serving the working and student population, not much good to a couple of late risers.

We didn't manage to see everyone we would have liked to, but thanks to Mal and John and Nick and Val for putting up with us and it was great to celebrate Rob's birthday with Ze, Jamie, Paddy and Hannah and of course, Moose. We will hope to catch up with our other friends and family during next year.

Moose

Now we have wheels we can visit local markets and buy the very best of local produce, not only good but not expensive. Our experience so far is that wherever we buy our food, the quality is consistently higher than in the UK.

We can also get to the big retail parks for DIY supplies, electrical and household goods and yesterday we enjoyed a meatball lunch at Ikea - we know how to live it up.

The towns nearby are decorated with Christmas lights and there are varied activities during the lead up to Christmas, but, on the whole, we find it not so rampantly commercial as the UK. A bit more wholesome?

We saw drummers in Dole, they were really enjoying themselves on a cold and frosty Saturday last week. Glen is proposing drumming courses as a form of anger management!

Twelve Drummers Drumming

The week before last was St. Nicholas day. This is a big occasion in St Jean de Losne and we, (the boating community), are invited to form a guard of honour for St. Nicholas as he crosses the river by boat and disembarks at the Town Quay.

Black Peter et al

Provided with white tabards, paper hats and flaming torches, we accompanied the horse and cart carrying Saint Nicholas, the Town Band and Black Peter, through the streets to the river, escorted him on board his boat, then legged it across the bridge to meet him on the other side. Dignified it wasn't! 

Just got there in time....

But, we did have fun and then processed around the town as darkness fell and the wind got up, blowing sparks and molten wax from our torches - what do you mean "health and Safety"? 

The children all loved it - and there was a great party for them afterwards in the equivalent of the community centre.

Bramble - Murray & Kate's cabin dog - best dressed in the parade

Unfortunately we also brought back with us some of the UK bugs - and have been variously laid up coughing and spluttering but were fortunately recovered enough to go along to the Festive Boaters' Information morning last Wednesday at the Museum. A really good turn out, lovely food and mulled cider - think everybody is now really in the mood for celebrating - so it bodes well for tonight when we're having our Christmas Party at Nathalie's Bar on the quayside - watch this space…..

Meet Tache - Janna & Jo's little dog - think we might dognap!

Sorry, it's a very doggy blog this time!

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year.