Xmas - Cordelia and her housemates come to visit

Cordelia and her orphaned Aussie flat mates decided to come and visit us for Xmas. The "famous five" better known as the Chestnut Champions hired a car and drove over. Just as well it was a people mover as they brought lots of shopping with them. Whilst waiting for them to arrive we joined the rest of the barge folk at the local bar for drinks, nibbles and music...thanks Dave and Kevin...not forgetting Joseph on the bongos'.

Being 5 they would not all fit on our barge - so we took 3 (after making up the bed in the engine room) Cordelia, Joanna, and Britt and our wonderful friends Debbie and Randy took Murray and Rhiannon.

They arrived on the evening of Friday 23rd, and after a very long day, we had a light supper, lots of wine and champagne and settled in for a good nights sleep.

The Next day- Christmas eve - we wandered the town, and had a visit to Carrefour for last minute supplies. The weather was terrific, so the crew tried their hands at Boules, well played Chesnut Champions!  Then settled down to dinner and lots and lots of wine and champagne.  We played Oh Hell which Joanna won! Well done Joey!  And in general had lots of fun - Mur and Rhi managed to stagger back along the quay to their luxury accommodation (they even had chocolates on their pillows!). Only a little bit of grit on their knees!

Xmas day was lovely with the sun shining beautifully.  As we had 9 for Xmas lunch we had bought 2 turkeys - Debbie cooked one and we cooked the other. Xmas morning involved lots of cooking - opening a few presents and of course lots of champagne!  Then we got stuck into a delicious Xmas lunch.  The full shebang - turkey, ham, Roast veggies, stuffing, bread sauce, sprouts and cranberry sauce! Followed of course by a flaming Xmas pud with custard and brandy butter!  Then into an orgy of present opening.

After lunch we went for a walk around the port, singing carols to any folk who were aboard - Debbie gave out chocolates to other passers by. Then out onto the quay in the sunshine for a game of boules and table tennis.  Then an evening of more food, introducing Debbie and Randy to the concept of bubble and squeak...it seemed to go down a treat, plus wine and champagne and hilarious party games.

On Boxing day we headed off to Marcigny to visit the famous outdoor market market.  We had lunch in a local bistro - starter, main, cheese, dessert, wine and coffee all included for 12 euros!  The chestnut champs seemed to enjoy this!  Then back home for a light supper lots more wine and champagne, and more Oh hell.

We thought they should see some of the countryside, so we headed off next morning (after Debbie had served Murray and Rhiannon a breakfast of Juice, omelets - WITH GARNISH - coffee and the works - our guests just got a croissant) to the dam across the Loire at Villerest, followed by a visit to Chateau St Roche, which is built on rocks out into the Loire.

We took the opportunity to introduce the champs to FLUNCH...mixed results....French cafe eating is not for everyone..and we had made the mistake of taking them to a Prixe Fixe meal a day or so before.

You will notice that there had been rather a lot of champagne drunk.  The crew seemed to like this, so a trip was made out to JB Clair so they could stock up with a few boxes to take home. The winery was set up in the late 1800's with help from wine makers from Champagne - and is a small family run winery, that uses traditional methods.  All the "champagne" is aged for three years in the bottle - which is the same as a vintage champagne - this is what gives it its delicious flavour.

Then on to the evening shenanigans....Raclette for 9 aboard Alouette....Randy and Debbie had treated themselves to  this traditional French cooker......it is used to melt special cheese into a gooey mess that you then pour over cold meats and hot boiled potatoes....lots of fun, and truly delicious. A perfect end to a very busy few days.

Next morning bright and early our lovely crew  departed back to London, and peace descended on the barges Alouette and Affleur D'O.  A great time was had by all with a wonderful bunch of friends.

Britt - ready for anything!

Rhiannon - a wee drop of good ol JB Clair!

Joey

Off for Boules and table Tennis in the sunshine

Yum

Yum all gone!

Whose hair is this - think Murray think

What did she say!

Marcigny market - buying cheese

On the Dam at Villerest

Chateau St Roche

Chateau St Roche

Brittany in the Santa Onsey!

The Chestnut Champions

Roanne - In port to Xmas

It was good to settle back into port life. Meet up with old friends and make some new ones.  At the start of the season was the port party held in the capitainerie.
 

Simon, Christian and Scott

Sutsan, Doug, Randy and Madelaine

Randy has just been told that "Yes. he will be served" Sutsan is Soooo happy for him.

Jean Claude serving the Paella

Anton serving Derica

Yes, he was served!

Our lovely Debbie celebrated her 29th birthday on Alouette

 The weather had been lovely and we had a very pretty autumn

In the months leading up to Xmas many of the local villages hold fetes. Villerest is a small medieval village - and their fete was a potato festival! Why?  They told the story of the arrival of the humble spud into France with a play. It also featured a small market full of local produce, and home baked cakes.

This pot was made using the old 'coil' method....and so quickly.

Vegetable carving...an art greatly undervalued!

I had a go at Archery, only to find that Randy was an expert!

The final scene of "The Potato Comes to France" with everybody on stage.

One of the highlights of last year was regular outings to the local chinese for a boozy buffet lunch . We managed to fit one in around the other activities.

Peter and Katinka

Brian, Eleanor and Simon taking advice from May. Good luck folks!

Kevin thinks he really does know the answer! Terry and Mary holding court.

Randy and Debbie decided to hold a Thanksgiving party and invited their friend Katherine who came over from the USA. They turned on a magnificent traditional Thanksgiving feast - featuring the worlds most expensive turkey.  It was fascinating as although very close to traditional Xmas fare the flavours and accompaniments were totally different.  It is the same in that you eat and drink far too much!

The Chef de Cuisine team!

The table is set.

Sweet potato stuffing

Green bean casserole.

Delish turkey.

Cranberry relish

Chef de Partie!

Before

After!

The Chef de Partie may have, well, partied a little to hard. It was a great day...we Ausssies salute a great American tradition.

We had the opportunity to visit a winery in Beaujolais for the release of the 2011 vintage of Beaujolais Noveau.  Last year we had to drive, but this was a bit restrictive, so the Port Association laid on a bus, driven by Alain who lives in the port (he is a bus driver). After a lovely drive where Alain manouvered the big bus through tiny streets in old villages we arrived at the winery.  After some tasting we all moved into the hall where we enjoyed a raclette. (You have boiled potatoes and lots of different cold meats, then pour melted cheese over the top - yum)

The wine is very, very fresh...the faces reflect this!

The cold meats

The raclette cheese

All melted in a raclette grill

Four faces reflect the first sip!

Lots of photos....not many top-ups!

Joseph

Gradus finds an audience for his photography

Josheph and Madelaine took their dog along...he was miffed that only water was put in his bowl.

It was this big - you must be joking

Peter rubbing the labels to reveal the naked ladies!

In addition to the social life, there were of course cakes for afternoon tea from the wonderful Patisseries

Brittany's parents - Michell and Paul with their dog Atticus were passing through Roanne, and we had the pleasure of inviting them aboard for dinner.

Paul and Michell

Atticus

The main time for St Nicolas is the 6th of December. The port association in conjunction with a local club organised the Fete St Nicolas in the port. Herve (the captain of the port) brought St Nicolas (Jean Claude) up the port by boat, where he came ashore, and distributed chocolates to the local children.  There were speeches telling the story of St Nicolas, accordion players and the Dutch and English both sang Carols

Last minute choir advice from Simon.



A few days later Roanne held its big annual Fete, the Tous en Flamme. This was a major production held in the port. It is a show that has been shown around the world and was in Darling harbour in Sydney a few years ago.  As there were lots of floating things on fire, the boats up the end of the port had to be moved. This included Eendracht (Scott and Kartinka's boat) which then provided the ideal viewing platform for the show, and drinks afterwards. 

the show was quite weird and I think was meant to tell a story - although what this was is a mystery! Click on the link to see the video.

Tous en Flamme

Moving Eendracht

Debbie and Randy ordered a bed for their boat - a bit of trouble with their french I think!

And the stirrups?

Of course after the event we carried on partying on the back deck of Eeendracht - a good time was had by all!


To see a short video of the wonderful evening click on the link below -

Tous en Flamme after party