Bright and clear.

The French weather forecast predicts strong winds, grey skies and snow. It turns out to be a bright, clear morning with one of those arctic winds that always manages to find the gap between your scarf and the back of your neck.

And so another year comes to and end. Where did it go ? Here in the village the man with anger management issues has come to blows with the German billionaires builder. Monsieur and Madame Bay have been spending much more time at their bungalow on the edge of the village. Monsieur Bay has been having some health issues and Madame Bays eyesight has, almost, led her to give up driving the ' Wild Child' voiturette. The old mayor has retired and passed on the baton to the tile fitter who works bizarre 'nocturnal' hours. The church, locked up for most of this last year, continues to watch over the churchyards comings and goings .  The swaying Jesus no longer sways. Sophie remains on savaging terms with Woolly Mammoth. The Old Farmer is planning a trip in the motor home with his lady friend for his 89th birthday in February. 

On our start of day walk we wave at three passing farmers in their white vans ( two Peugeots and a Renault ), the young garagiste in his 1990's era BMW  with a baby seat in the back, and the old mayor who is on his way to pick up his wife's extra strength Diazepam from the pharmacy in the neighbouring village. This is a part of the world where you wave at every passing car . 

Hogmanay. Just the two of us. What to do ? Have a pizza by the fire or mark the passing of an 'interesting' 2020 into the sunrise of 2021 in the way we always do ? Angus is all for pizza , rugby re-runs and a good bottle of Pomerol. 'The Font' is of the opinion that 2020 should be remembered and 2021 welcomed more formally. Why let a pandemic interrupt the habits of a lifetime ? The world may be changing but in The Rickety Old Farmhouse Angus will wear a kilt ( it and the sporran are found , after much searching, in a guest bedroom where they were put so they couldn't be lost ), 'The Font' will light the candles and Sophie will doze contentedly under the dining room table until the midnight hour strikes. 

On the witching hour absent friends will be remembered and this will be sung in thanks for the kindness that people have shown us over this last year :https://youtu.be/wPnhaGWBnys

A Happy and especially Healthy New Year to one and all ! May the healers of the world have a good 2021 repairing the damage of recent times.