We had a lovely time. No need to know how much of everything we had but it was considerable and, of course, immediately followed by the usual feelings of remorse and guilt about the poor and the starving. The contacts we made through the Internet with all the family on Christmas day and boxing day made it what it should be all about - great fun, much love and laughter permeated cyber-space and thanks for keeping in touch. 
One can only look forward to great improvements in our collective skills by the same time next year. Just imagine how much more proficient we will have become by then? Will we be seeing each other live ? ("beam me up Scottie" sort of thing! ) who knows what technical improvements there will be. I am sure that broadband will be universal by then.
Just a word about Teddy and Spud. Teddy is already too fat and didn't take kindly to the diet I have now put him on and Spuddy got terrible wind which was cured by placing a hot water bottle over his distended stomach. Click on photos herewith for a larger view.
On Christmas Eve we "entertained" our recently acquired friends Jenny and Keith who own the boat "Gulliver", (a Saga Marine Barge Look alike) across the other side of the "Port de Plaisance" (Marina) They are the couple who we met on our various travels, who recommended Briare for this winter mooring.
Here is our menu!
Smoked salmon with black bread canapes, Cremant De Bourgogne
Doz Oysters, Rully ( a lovely tasty dry white wine)
Breast of Local Free Range Duck (with an armagnac and Agen Prune sauce with Parsnip and celeriac, Roast Baby Potatoes and Red onions, Mangetouts and fine green beans)
Cote De Bourg (not unlike a good claret with plenty of tannin)
Terrine of Three Cheeses with Pistacio (Layered Terrine of 3 Cheeses & pistachios)
Creme Brulee with a pudding wine
Coffee and armagnac
With no surprise, we had a little lay-in on Christmas morning before going to Jenny and Keith's boat for a late traditional lunch of turkey and what a terrific lunch they laid on. Just perfect - including the pudding and some very alcoholic sauce. More superb wines with each course and a malt whisky to follow...somehow, over an extended period, Lucie and I managed a little smoked salmon with lemon before tumbling into bed at about eleven - having walked the dogs and restarted the woodburner - just simply marvellous!
In between we have had friends in and been to friends various. Stephen and Sophie with her bump are due to arrive for the New year celebrations - staying for a few days, and Lucie is cooking up another storm! News of this encounter, if you can bear it, will be "soon as......"