November 2014

11th November. The blog has been a bit quiet but that is not because nothing is happening, on the contrary if anything it is because too much is happening. Settling back into life in town meant catching up with committee work for the VillCo and Aster committees, being talked (against my better judgement) into joining the River Rats committee. Making a start on changing the window displays around town. Getting back into Franglaise classes. Winterising the boat. Keeping an eye on four boats for folk who are away………need I say more! Another reason I have been quiet is that I have been quite boring in as much as a very sore right knee has been inhibiting my activities somewhat but I have an appointment with the orthopod on the 13th. The highlight of the recent past was a flying visit from Grant who was in France on business and kindly took the trouble to take the train from Paris and come to see me for a day!

11th Nov. The autumn has been spectacular as a few photos here demonstrate….

 

 

 

 

and today it has been pleasantly warm for the Remembrance Day Parade. The ceremony at the town cenotaph was presided over by our new Mayor, Marie, who is the wife of Phillippe who runs the H2O workshop.

                        

 

It also featured the town band and representatives of the Police, Cadets and Fire Services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even some of our lot made a real effort!

 

After all the speeches, payers, silences                      

and wreath laying we all repaired to the Mayoral Chambers for a drink.

13th. Saw othorpod and am booked in for right knee replacement on the 6th Feb.

15th November Today we had a wake for Mike Hoffman who arrived on his boat with his wife about 30 years ago and was well known and liked in the community. Sadly Carry took her own life some ten years ago which was a source of great sadness for Mike. He was an interesting man with many interests and vast collections of all sorts of machines from the sublime of his vintage MG’s to the (rediculous – in my view, but I guess it is a boy thing!) fleet of tanks. There was a very good turn out and quite a few people spoke of their relationship with him with great affection.

                     

                  

 

16th The day dawned bright and beautiful          

The tree in the apartment gardens looks

Magnificent!

17th A busy day ahead. Some shopping and admin, followed by Franglaise in the afternoon and then I drive to Dijon to pick up my Son Paul who is staying for a couple of days on his way back to Cape Town.

    Paul’s visit was lovely if somewhat short.

23rd Nov, Took a walk down the canal to Jane and Robert’s farm where Steve and Helen are house*sitting. It was a brilliant day and quite warm in the sun. The reflections of the mistletoe laden trees in the waters of the canal were lovely. Pete and Glennie joined us and we had a good dinner together with some of the Beaujolias Nouveau which is just hitting the shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mondy 24th Saw me leaving early by car for Auxonne to put in my application for my French Health Card. On returning to St Jean I joined 7 other boaters for some knot tieing and splicing lessons from Pete and Ian. It was very interesting and much needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27th Nov

We also have art classes in town now. They are properly structured and run by Georgie, who is an art teacher. It is huge fun.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28th Nov.  Georgie and I had a shopping day in Dijon prior to picking Alexandra up at the railway station in the afternoon.#

29th Alex got roped into arranging shop window displays with me! In the evening we went to the Sauconna Hotel where we had dinner and listened to a great folk group who are to be touring in Canada in Feb. There were about seven on our table and Charles and family were on the next table. It was a jolly good evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 30th Nov. We went out to the old lock and Charles helped us to collect some Christmas tree material for window decor and a huge bunch of misletoe. We also went to the Christmas market at Brazey. We were underwhelmed!