Christmas and for the year 2010
Here we are - latest awful photo - but the only one with us "en famille".
Getting more grey by the minute but thankfully very well to date.
We've had another busy year full of social events and visits to places around us in Aquitaine. We seem to have developed a love for Meilhan- sur- Garonne and this area. We plan to make this "Home" and make seasonal trips back to the Lot and the Baise.
You can see from this rather wintry scene - "Body and Soul" - moored on the only pontoon in the Port. With our chimney smoking and a few woody Christmas decorations on deck. We are as warm as ever inside and will be having our Christmas lunch "A deux". The village of Meilhan towers over us, high up and to the right.
It is hard to imagine just a few weeks ago we were sweltering in the summer heat and dressed in, what seemed to be, permanent T-shirts and shorts. Lately we've had some frosty sub-zero temperatures but have ample supplies of wood and the "ruddy Erbespacher" delivers additional central heating if required.
One of the great benefits of the Meilhan port is the adjacent campsite and this was well used this year by the Falshaw family, seen here - Amanda, Harry and Lois. (Taken by Alan)
We have bought all the essential camping gear - now safely stored for the next coming, in the engine room. But please note that we can still accommodate two adults on board with our splendid IKEA sofa bed..... just don't hesitate to come and visit at any time and any season! You will always be welcome.
Autumn feel. Lucie and Spud taking the last of the Sun.
Click on any photo to get the full size.
Our new double roomed tent.
Launching the "pod" (with Amanda and the Capitainerie behind)
Of course, the arrival of a baby brother for Charlie (Lucie's second grandchild) was the highlight of the year and for the latest photos of him with Charlie, Sophie and Steven just "scroll down" this blog. He was born in Bath Hospital on Nov 26th at a healthy 8lbs 14ozs. Mother and Baby are fine. I suspect there will be more photos to come! ..... and, not forgetting, Nick's Laura is due to produce another sprog in January. Our special best wishes to them.
Harry and Lois on board Body and Soul
Just to put the usual spoke in the wheel, our lap top has just crashed and, with the generous and ever helpful aid of the port Capitaine, I am only able to get computer time using his computer. Our new one - a decent Dell desktop - is on its way and scheduled to arrive by Jan 7th 2010. This means that we will be out of touch if using "Skype" until then and a bit slower to respond to emails.
But, as 'oft said, "it really isn't all plain sailing, y'know!"
Lots of love from us both. Cheers!