November Fireworks

Limoges panorama

The kids and me spent the end October to 6th November visiting the U.K.  We based ourselves at Grandad's in Fleet and were well looked after.  We has a great time seeing friends and family,  I saw my sister for a fabulous chicken lunch and visited my mother, who at 87 is in a care home with Alzheimer's.  She seemed frail, but in good spirits, however since Covid and a two year break, could not really remember the kids or I, which is very sad.

Evie spent time with friends at Frencham Little pond, dressed up as a cat, carved pumpkins and did Trick a Treat.  She had loads of fun with her friend Meg.  Thanks to Jo and Jason who were the perfect hosts.  Tom visited friends in Weybridge, rolled a pumpkin down a skate board ramp, played pool, went on a trampoline and slept with five mates in a heated shed!  On the same day I enjoyed lunch with friends in Weybridge, then dinner of Monkfish curry, loads of beer, wine and finished off with Monkey Shoulder whisky.  

Worthing fireworks

Climbing wall

A brief visit to Holt allowed the boys to carve pumpkins and do their own Trick or Treat, with a friend Fin.  The kids then went wall climbing and experienced VR, before a last night with Grandad at Pizza Express.  At the end of our trip we went to stay with my friends John and Jeanette, the kids enjoyed the Brighton sea front, arcades and  dodgems.  I hated the roller coaster, which I only went on as it was a minimum of three and Charlie did not want to ride....sensible boy.  The kids ice skated and enjoyed shopping for clothes.  On the last night we had pizza, followed by a fabulous firework display on Worthing pier.  On the trip back I left my wallet in Brighton and discovered you can't use cash on EasyJet or the péage (toll).  Lucky I have one card in France and will be going back to UK for a 60th birthday party in London, so I can collect my wallet and warm winter coat.

Brighton skating

Autumn sits on the hill, with the trees turning orange, gold, red and amber.  Morning mist makes the vista even more magical.  Outdoor jobs are a pleasure as not hot, but not cold...yet  I have some gardening jobs, hedges to cut, vines to prune, wisteria to extract.  All will have to wait until my back feels better.  Since my tractor incident, it gets very sore and I feel could take another few months to heal completely.  

Red legged partridge

Driving to the post office in Lautrec reveals Roe deer, hare and black winged kite hunting the nearby fields.  Last night a little owl flew into the tree by the Grange, called and flew onto the roof.  I have found owl pellets and it must do a circuit most nights searching for prey, even though they are mainly diurnal.

Limoges getting ready for Xmas

Limoges street art

Le Mans cathedral

Record shop

Market fish fare

Tomorrow involves a trip to Limoges then on to Le Mans.  I have never attended the Le Mans 24hour race, but you never know.  We visited a few good restaurants, went on a Ferris wheel, the kids ice skated and went to the cinema. I enjoyed the market.

Nice cakes

Christmas will be at La Bastide which the kids are looking forward to. Log fires, traditional Christmas tree, which Evie is looking forward to decorating, advent calendar (mine is a beer one)! kid's will be chocolate.  Christmas market in Castres and long walks with the dog.  Christmas day will be turkey dinner, champagne and Xmas pudding, made from a friend's recipe passed down from his great grandmother.  We have sorted out what the kids want or need so it's a question of shopping!