Yule blog
Christmas Day just isn't the same in France.
Not my view necessarily but that of the French person I know best, the woman I am married to.
"We all go back to work on the 26th so it's more like our Boxing Day," she commented as we drove back through fairly heavy traffic from Le Mans to Paris.
And it is true that Christmas Eve, the time for le réveillon, feels much more, well, Christmassy. Lots of shops were open in Le Mans and Paris today, some of them the sort of shops that might be in trouble if they thought of opening on a Sunday.
But let me forget all that for a moment and welcome my great nieces Manon and Clara into the world.
Well, they've been here for three weeks now but yesterday, deep into La Sarthe where they live with their parents, Christophe and Karline, we had our first meeting.
It made more of an impact on me than on them, but they did put up very sportingly with camera flashes and being hoisted out of their cots to be cooed over.
The twins so far have no known views on the French presidential elections, or even the Nathalie Gettliffe case, but they join me in wishing a very happy Christmas - and an even better Boxing Day - to anyone who may be up and about in the blogosphere tonight.
Labels: babies, Boxing Day, Christmas, France, Le Mans, Nathalie Gettliffe, Paris, réveillon, shops, twins
By Colin Randall @ Monday, December 25, 2006 ¦
7 Comments:
It's still afternoon here. Unlike the States (and France) we have Boxing Day off (except for Lesley, who has to work), which is civilized but probably symptomatic of something lacking in our work ethic.
I thought at first you were calling them great nieces because they're so lovely and cooable over. But then I realized it had more to do with age. Ah well, try not to think about it. And they do look delightful.
It's 8:15 in Paris. Probably time to open a bottle of something bubbly. No, not Perrier. Drink to a bright future for Manon and Clara.
Colinr, my best wishes to you and your family. Nice to see you didn't forget the blogoshere. We had a most enjoyable franglais xmas. I was well behaved and didn't attack the brits. I am not sure I can do it for two days running though.
It seems as though the hardcore is still around, even on Christmas Day! We had a lovely lazy day doing nothing and then presents early evening followed by an enormous amount of 'boeuf sauce bearnaise' and now everyone has gone out partying which has given me time to clear up, take Angus for a trot with his flashing luminous collar, put on the dishwasher and washing machine and think to myself that this is how Christmas should be - no hassle, no worry, just a good time with family!
Well done, Richard, for being on your best behaviour - you see it can be done when you want!
Hope you all had a lovely day!
Mine's been very quiet; just the two of us so not much chance to get into any trouble. And a wet Christmas rather than a white one. Good food and drink, though, and a really terrible old Brit movie -- "Helldrivers" with Patrick McGoohan, Sean Connery, David McCallum, Stanley Baker and Gordon Jackson, all incredibly young -- to round off the day.
I had a lovely Christmas, also, quite franglais, the French bit for the Réveillon, and the English bit with turkey and Xmas pud yesterday.
Glad to hear everyone had a nice time, and Richard, it's not because they are English that they are difficult. There are lots of difficult French people out there too.
Well done on the newest members of your family, Colin. Cheers!
Your blog is quite a little family, Colin. Unusual I think but very nice and conversational. Not so anonymous as sometimes. Your real family is very nice, too.
Bill Taylor: I have the Canon you recommended but not the Tamron lens. It will have to be a special order or I can buy a Canon zoom lens. But I'm very pleased with the camera.
Back to work for a couple of days. Damn, how did that happen? Are you all set for the big move, Colin?
Simon: Canon lenses are every bit as good as their cameras so you won't go far wrong. I'm simply used to the Tamron; I've been using one for years.
Post a Comment
<< Home