Another year nearly ended!

Every where in town is looking very festive, and we are looking forward to Christmas, but also wondering what the new cruising season will hold in store for us!

December was a very busy and socialable month for us in Briare. We began by putting up our Christmas decorations on 6th December to herald the arrival of Saint Nicolaus at the Port de Plaisance.  He was preceeded by Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), a Dutch tradition introduced by our new Dutch port Capitain, Dorothe Maas.  This was timed to co-incide with day-long fun raising events being held at the adjacent Cultural Centre.

Arrival of Saint Nicolaus with Zwarte Piet

That evening we dined out on local fare:

Too much food for us, but Tashi benefitted!

For the rest of the month there were dinner parties, and drinks parties to attend, and new faces to meet.  Time was filled making and baking seasonal things, ginger bread men, mince pies, and finishing many projects for simple gifts to present to friends and family.  The trouble was that as fast as I baked mince pies they got eaten so I had to set to and bake some more!

The second batch!!!

The time just flew by.

We cheered up our view through the dismal month of  December by adding our own colours through our windows:

Baubles and candles.

Beautiful blue hyacinths!

There was even time to go walking to find fallen fruit and make jam, and pick mistletoe:

VERY sweet jam from unidentified fruit!

A quick kiss under the mistletoe!

and for visitors to stay a while and walk:

Lovely sunny day for a walk by the Loire

 We managed a traditional Christmas dinner even with our limited on-board facilities.

What no crackers?

October 2014

After visitors came to join us for a meal out in Le Chapelle Montilinard Tashi was left with a new toy!

November 2014

This month saw us attending a happy family party to celebrate the Golden Wedding anniversary of Geoff and Jill at the Haven Hotel, Sandbanks.

The Cake Cutting!

We managed our own early Christmas family gathering, which due to "The Dreaded Lurgy" didnt turn out quite as expected. However we did all get together for lunch.

The Happy Gang!

Tashi and I found some interesting things growing when walking around Briare!

     These strawberries looked pretty but had no flavour!            





 

These 'funghi' looked downright evil!

Sounds much better than "Meals on Wheels"!