The magical weather continues. Mid-morning the Old Farmer and the Belgian lady set off in the venerable Ford Transit motor home for Christmas. ' We're free spirits. Who knows where we'll end up ? " he says. Hopefully, somewhere with a garage that'll be open over the holidays thinks Angus. The Old Farmer beeps the asthmatic horn three times as he heads, slowly, along the lane. The Belgian lady is wearing a heavily patterned red and yellow trouser suit with the jacket edged in black fur. A mass of swirls. ' We had a carpet like that in Edinburgh ' observes 'The Font'. The Old Farmer is wearing his brown dressing gown that has been shortened to provide a warm, if unstylish, driving jacket. He is also wearing his green and white checked fur trappers hat with ear flaps.
Bob and Angus set off to the little waterfall. Some days Bob hurries along. Today he's in a sauntering mode. By Christmas the birds have usually picked the berries from the trees. Not this year - the hedgerows peppered with rose hips. Pheasant, partridge and quail everywhere. They're enjoying the sunshine and the late season bugs.
Sophie is not happy at being corralled. She spends her day in the kitchen advising 'The Font' on how to prepare the perfect Bechemel Sauce.
Frogs legs in the supermarket.
Capons also make an appearance. The locals have Capons for Christmas lunch. We tried it once but reverted to Turkey.
In the cafe Buche de Noel have swept all non-seasonal pastries aside.
Our Christmas puddings and Christmas cakes arrive. Just in time. Thank heavens for couriers. The 'new' Postman hasn't been out to the village since Friday of last week.
The Christmas nativity scene carved from a walnut is brought out and put on the mantelpiece. Amazing it's lasted thirty five years.
Quiet rhythms of life with one drooly dog and one feisty 'recuperating' dog in the run up to Christmas.
15 comments:
The Old Farmer and the Belgian Lady are developing into rivals to Madame Bay in the fashion stakes.
That walnut nativity scene is truly remarkable.
The time of year in rural France whe sewing machines are unpacked and 'outfits ' produced.
I am astonished by the walnut nativity. Who made it, where? Such patience and skill.
You paint a very colorful word picture of the Old Farmer and the Belgian Lady. May their free-spiritedness stay bright and shining into next year, too.
Perfect Bechemel sauce requires lots of tasting!
The walnut nativity scene is amazing - would anyone nowadays have the talent to produce something so perfect?
Life can never be dull in your little village when you have such characters as the Old Farmer and now, the Belgian Lady, to brighten your, and our, day !
Poor Sophie, confined again, but with her in an advisory capacity, the Bechemal Sauce will be perfect.
The walnut is a wonder. Not just the carving itself, but that it hasn't shriveled (or gotten eaten) over the years.
It's always good when the mail works as it's supposed to! (I hope you got my message left on a previous post.)
The walnut nativity is lovely and so delicate - Is your Christmas crib with the missing Joseph been put out as well?
"We had a carpet like that in Edinburgh"...I am still cracking up...gotta love the Font with her dry wit.
Sophie my darling you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mum and I LUVS reading your blog. No matter what has happened the day before, we cannot wait to read it (often in the middle of the night here!)
I loved the Font's remark as well; it made me laugh out loud !
I don't recall seeing the walnut nativity before . . . it's an amazing work of art.
Being from the other side of the pond, I am curious what goes into Christmas Pudding and Cake. Do show photos when you open them! Joyeux Noel!
That something so delicate as the carved walnut has survived 35 years is most amazing. A cherished remembrance of a happy time, perhaps.
Keeping Sophie in our hearts and prayers, Bob too.
We'll be away from our computer for a few days over the holidays, so we want to wish you and the font and the two adorable PONs (PON and PONETTE) the best of Christmases and a Happy New Year!!! Joan and Just Harry from South Florida
I was wondering about the crib too!
The walnut scene is such a treasure!
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