Best of Both

25.12.15:

After getting to bed pretty late, we were up relatively early, even Hugo. I think it was because I'd spoken about having brunch and he'd interpreted it as a "full British".  I managed to put together some rashers of bacon that were diverted from barding the turkey, eggs and white pudding (traditional in France at Christmas).  The main thing we'd planned for today was to take a trip up to the cemetery to show Emma, who hadn't been at the funeral, where we'd scattered Papy's ashes. I'd thought it might help to write messages to him on balloons to let go. once all was ready, Maureen pointed out that as they weren't filled with helium, it wouldn't work .... dahhhh! Anyway, we managed as best we

could to attach them to a nearby tree instead.
Christmas dinner was a late affair and even then we weren't very hungry.

• Foie gras and petits fours
• Turkey stuffed with chestnuts, figs and apples, cranberry and orange relish http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/cranberries/cranberry-and-orange-relish.html
• Roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips and green beans
• Cheese
• Christmas Pud (still in the cupboard)

Weather:
Unseasonally warm

24.12.15:

We've planned a Franco/British Christmas in traditional manner. Valérie is in charge of the Christmas eve meal and my good self will do the honours tomorrow.

• Foie Gras and smoked salmon in front of a blazing log fire
• Filet Mignon en Croûte Italienne (The website has some great recipies on it, if you can deal with the French) http://www.marmiton.org/recettes/recette_filet-mignon-en-croute-a-l-italienne_310084.aspx
• Wild rice and boursin sauce
• Cheese
• Bûche de Noël
• Champagne and Baron de Rothschilde

Wee Emma is become more excited while her older brother and sister remained an adolescent cool but eventually midnight came and we went up to the nest to see the full moon know as "la lune des nuits longues", the like of which hasn't been seen since 1977. Have to say I was somewhat disappointed as it didn't seem anyway different perhaps because I was looking at the wrong time or because of the humidity in the atmosphere..

Well, what do you know? While no one was looking Papa Noël had crept into the house and left presents under the tree!