The Hewitts barging in France 2010

And so we settle into port life - a typical week -

Monday - Brian and Mary come over for our ongoing competition with Mexican Train, a few drinks, the odd snack - followed by watching Only Connect, a quirky English Quiz Show. We feel great if we can answer at least 25% of the questions and then its all quiet for Gareth Malone Choirs program. We now all extemporize beautifully!

Tuesday - Domestic chores, shopping for fresh fruit and veg at the fabulous Grand |Frais...a store that brings as a huge range of produce from France and around the world. We try each time to buy something that we haven't ever tried before...quite easy here... do Crosne, Raifort or Barbe de Capucin appeal? Tuesday night is our 'at home' night.

Wednesday - Stitch and Bitch - the ladies come over to gossip and do a little sewing and knitting over coffee and biscuits - Andrew gets the afternoon off!

Thursday - Drinks at the Bar - anyone in the port meets at the L'Authentique - Jeremy and Katya host a great few hours over glasses of wine! It is a great chance to catch up with folks from the far side [well the other side of the Port] and exchange information, news and arrange social events for the coming week.

Friday - we often have lunch at one of the local Brasseries or perhaps get a group together to partake in one of the many Chinese buffets on offer in Roanne.

This particular week is leading up to Christmas St Nicolas fete - in a moment of madness [note to self, try one drink less at the bar on Thursday nights] Laurel offered to organise a 'Ladies Choir' to sing Carols at the Fete St. Nicholas, and so a choir rehearsal on board

Saturday - a visit to Emmaus - a huge charity shop sale held every two weeks, those who follow our blog know that this is a 'must do' - followed by us all meeting up for cappucinos at McCafe. Saturday is usually spent with friends for dinner or a games night...and yes, some more delectable French wine may be consumed.

Sunday - in the season a morning 'vide-grenier' often followed with a chance to explore some remote village. Weather permitting a game of boules is held for anyone who wants to suffer ritual humiliation....the French like to saunter slowly past and offer 'help'.

No wonder we have no time left to do anything!

Xmas starts early in France - our first event held in the port is the Fete St Nicolas. St Nicolas arrives by boat to the capitainerie - where there are carols, dancing, music and mulled wine.

Our fellow bargee, Jean Claude, has taken the role for several years now.

St Nicholas taking a little refreshment....traditional biscuits baked by the chef and owner of L'Authentique, Jeremy.

'Black Pete' a Dutch addition to the St.Nicolas story...slightly controversial these days.

Laurel leading the ladies in "we wish you a Merry Christmas"

Mary and Caroline

Most of the villages hold Xmas fetes - these are generally small and simple and rather delightful - generally some form of entertainment and local produce, cakes and food. We normally manage to visit a few of the these and also explore some delightful ancient villages.

One the the amazing old houses that the locals take for granted, and inside will look like an ad for Vogue Living.

This was a man on stilts 'riding' a huge chicken...clearly it meant something to the crowd, we just loved the wackiness.

Then the town of Roanne holds its big events - a parade at night with floats and a theme - this years was totally incomprehensible - very strange - added to the fact that it was very cold following the procession around town!

This is followed by the Foire Froide - a huge market with around 400 stalls held around the port - good fun. (even if we did buy 2kg of chocolates - unfortunately these did not survive Xmas (happy days whiteys)

Heather and David Arrive

It was great to have Heather and David come to visit us for Christmas. David had hurt his foot, so we planned activities that did not involve too much walking.

We did not have snow this year, possibly a blessing bearing in mind Davids leg.

We also restocked the wine cupboard, with a series of reds from some of the key wine regions - mainly Bordeaux, Cote du Rhone, and Cote du Rhone Villages - and of course Chardonnay for the ladies.

As with all our Roanne guests we visited the barrage at Villerest, and the over to Chateau St Roch.

Welcome to Roanne Heather and David

Most nights featured copious quantities of wine - great food - a game of cards, Rumikub or the ever popular game of Mexican Train and of course great conversation!. - (oh & I forgot the chocolates!)

And on to Xmas - Brian and Mary joined us for Christmas day - the weather was lovely and we managed a glass of Champers on deck before lunch.

What? A glass of champers in my hand...how unusual!

Heather explains to Brian the finer art of Bon Bons

Merry Christmas all!

Happy Christmas 2013! Heather, David, Brian, Mary, Laurel and Andrew

David shucking oysters with the knife he bought in Thiers

Seafood...yum!

Table ready!

Brian

David

Just a drop of Chateau Neuf du Pape to wash down the oysters, prawns and smoked salmon...it's a hard enough life alright!

Let the action begin!

Lunch was followed by a walk around the port singing carols to any unsuspecting boaters - presenting chocolates to amazed French people - all in all a good time !

Having not had enough to eat or drink, on Boxing Day we decided to have a 'Games' afternoon in the great English tradition, for all those in Port. We all got together at the Maison du Port , a very impressive turnout of 28 people, - we all brought food and drinks and spent a fun afternoon playing silly games....and l just want to say here that a Dutchman, trying to do a charade of an American film that he had never seen to a group of Australian, Swiss ,Dutch did lead to a very funny and in the end totally incomprehensible outcome.-

On the door, just one glass more

You had to give a gift and take a card before entering

The belle with a bell!

Caroline showed us how to 'work' a pair of glasses

Yes, Scott we did say take a card.

A Dutchman giving up a present...insider joke!

Happy people! Robin and Millie 'en Fete'

Food to share

Getting ready for the first game..a rather nasty variation of Kris Kringle, allowing each person to either choose a gift from the basket...or take the already unwrapped gift of a previous turn. The surprise 'most taken' gifts turned out to be a rubber chicken, a set of Provence tea towels and of course the rather dashing hat that May is wearing!