Now you know what the rest of us feel like, Verdun...
Great to hear from you, Hosta!
Pretty snow, Fairy - would actually like some of your temps down this way, please. Got midge bites again last week, walking through the woods, and we need proper cold to kill the beasties off.
Lizzie, do people leave their Christmas decorations up for a long time in France? We go to Madeira most years in late Jan/Feb, and find the churches are still decorated with manger scenes etc. One year we had the rather surreal experience of eating lunch (fish with sprouts and banana, odd enough in itself) in a cafe 3000ft above sea level but with a view of the sea, in a room decorated with artificial holly, accompanied by Bing Crosby "dreaming of a white Christmas"...
LilyP, hugs after yesterday's ordeal x
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
So pleased to hear from you Hosta - sounds like fun being had - you don't need ((hugs)) ..... but they are there just in case (no sell by date )
Sat in a coffee shop whilst littlest Chicklet has a trial run/interview to work at a different coffee shop in town (i was banished from that one just in case i put her off). Hope she gets it - waitressing skills are always so useful as a back up ! Bit like bar work.
Then off to Guildford to return some of her unwanted purchases .... Then back home for a bit before evening taxi duties begin. Hope she appreciates me deep down
Glad Hosta and OH are safe and enjoying their holiday! Please don't makes us worry! Southwold is lovely this time of year.... honestly!
Lilyp, pleased to hear your back safely and that such a sad occasion was handled with such care, huge hugs to you. There are some fantastic ministers, glad they did your Aunt and cousin proud, I hope you are able to have a nice relaxing weekend. X
Liri, yes they leave them up longer than the English. When we first came to France in 85, street decorations weren't put up until a few days before Christmas and taken down in February. We couldn't find a tree to buy until the week before Christmas. It's changing now though. But the old RC custom in countries like France and Italy was to take decorations down at Candlemas, 2nd February, which is also French pancake day.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Ah, thanks Lizzie - that explains the time shift! We love looking at the Nativity scenes which people put up in their gardens, as well as in churches, in Madeira. Lots of "extra interest" like one with zebras visiting baby Jesus, or lots of over-scale pottery rabbits etc. And the stable is very recognisably Madeiran, often in a mock-up of a cave. I suppose our Nativity scenes are stuck in 19th-century British farming traditions too. Don't suppose many modern intensive farms bed their cattle on straw these days.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
BL - you've just reminded me to check the calendar for UK Pancake Day date - 9th Feb this year, and Easter Sunday is 27th March just in case anyone is planning to plant their potatoes that weekend
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have been 'absent' this week, have been struggling to get more than 5 hours sleep a night and have just been exhausted, esp with walking to work every day. Managed just over 7 last night so am much happier today
Missed the Egypt news, but like everyone else am glad that Hosta and hubs are safe
Good snow pic Fairy, we should be getting some next week I believe Tuesday is our allotted day
Right, need to get a wriggle on, OH and I are off into town for a spot of lunch and some present exchanges
Posts
Morning all!
Now you know what the rest of us feel like, Verdun...
Great to hear from you, Hosta!
Pretty snow, Fairy - would actually like some of your temps down this way, please. Got midge bites again last week, walking through the woods, and we need proper cold to kill the beasties off.
Lizzie, do people leave their Christmas decorations up for a long time in France? We go to Madeira most years in late Jan/Feb, and find the churches are still decorated with manger scenes etc. One year we had the rather surreal experience of eating lunch (fish with sprouts and banana, odd enough in itself) in a cafe 3000ft above sea level but with a view of the sea, in a room decorated with artificial holly, accompanied by Bing Crosby "dreaming of a white Christmas"...
LilyP, hugs after yesterday's ordeal x
So pleased to hear from you Hosta - sounds like fun being had - you don't need ((hugs)) ..... but they are there just in case (no sell by date
Sat in a coffee shop whilst littlest Chicklet has a trial run/interview to work at a different coffee shop in town (i was banished from that one just in case i put her off). Hope she gets it - waitressing skills are always so useful as a back up ! Bit like bar work.
Then off to Guildford to return some of her unwanted purchases .... Then back home for a bit before evening taxi duties begin. Hope she appreciates me deep down
Hosta , glad ok and G&T helping as well . Keiv sounds mighty cold , no wonder they drink lots of Vodka !
One of my favorite programmes starts again on Sunday " Ski Sunday " , always nice to see the snow .
Off to watch. Lincoln City this afternoon
Have a good day everybody
Morning all, afternoon Pat
Glad Hosta and OH are safe and enjoying their holiday! Please don't makes us worry! Southwold is lovely this time of year....
honestly! 
Lilyp, pleased to hear your back safely and that such a sad occasion was handled with such care, huge hugs to you. There are some fantastic ministers, glad they did your Aunt and cousin proud, I hope you are able to have a nice relaxing weekend. X
Liri, yes they leave them up longer than the English. When we first came to France in 85, street decorations weren't put up until a few days before Christmas and taken down in February. We couldn't find a tree to buy until the week before Christmas. It's changing now though. But the old RC custom in countries like France and Italy was to take decorations down at Candlemas, 2nd February, which is also French pancake day.
Ah, thanks Lizzie - that explains the time shift! We love looking at the Nativity scenes which people put up in their gardens, as well as in churches, in Madeira. Lots of "extra interest" like one with zebras visiting baby Jesus, or lots of over-scale pottery rabbits etc. And the stable is very recognisably Madeiran, often in a mock-up of a cave. I suppose our Nativity scenes are stuck in 19th-century British farming traditions too. Don't suppose many modern intensive farms bed their cattle on straw these days.
BL - you've just reminded me to check the calendar for UK Pancake Day date - 9th Feb this year, and Easter Sunday is 27th March just in case anyone is planning to plant their potatoes that weekend
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Morning all
I have been 'absent' this week, have been struggling to get more than 5 hours sleep a night and have just been exhausted, esp with walking to work every day. Managed just over 7 last night so am much happier today
Missed the Egypt news, but like everyone else am glad that Hosta and hubs are safe
Good snow pic Fairy, we should be getting some next week
I believe Tuesday is our allotted day 
Right, need to get a wriggle on, OH and I are off into town for a spot of lunch and some present exchanges
Have a lovely day all, stay safe and stay well.