Boxing day numbers were added to by Alan & Jane who live nearby, and more games were played for some seriously valuable prizes like egg timers and pens etc.
Sunday 29 December 2013
XMAS DAY
What a trip over for the Lancaster family for Xmas.
Firstly the ferry from Pompey to Le Havre was cancelled, so they re-routed from Dover to Dunkirk. That also included an overnight in the ferry car park whilst the storm blew over.
Over 30 hours after leaving home they made it here at 7pm on Xmas Eve.
Xmas day was spent at the Auberge in the village for an excellent lunch.
Then it was back home to open the tradition pack of socks and play some party games.
Wednesday 18 December 2013
THE 2013 LA SAUDRAIE XMAS PANTO.
From the people that bought you
The Adventure that was...
The Children's Classic that was...
The Sci-Fi that was...
The Wartime Adventure that was...
The Violence that was...
The Oscar winner that was...
The Gay Iconic Movie that was...
And the sheer Horror that was..
COMES THE NEW ADVENTURE.
"SANTA CLAUS AND THE 3 WISE DOGS OF DIFFERENT CLASSES."
The 3 dogs had decided to visit Santa as they all wanted to hear about the story of Xmas, and also to bring presents for the baby Jesus.
Shep was first.
"Read me a bit about Xmas Santa"
"Ho ho ho!" Said Santa.
"All in good time"
"First of all, what present did you bring for the baby Jesus?"
Shep being a bit posh but had fallen on hard times thanks to Cameron's shoddy government said.
"I went to Cash Converters and exchanged all my bones for money, with which I bought gold, so I have brought some bling for the infant king" (Great when it rhymes)
"That's very noble of you" said Santa,
"But how will you get all your lovely bones back from Cash Converters, what with their massive interest rates?"
"Not to worry" said Shep. " I am an intelligent Collie Dog. I can
get work on any farm I like guarding sheep, and if I work really hard, I will soon have saved up to get all my lovely bones back. Once I have paid my 25% to the government of course.
Next up was Arthur.
"Ho Ho Ho!" said Santa.
"And what have you bought for the baby Jesus?"
Arthur being working class had also come by hard times.
"Well I was supposed to bring Frankincense but that's a bit hard to
come by now days, so I bought a Brut gift box. Same thing, it's all perfume in my book.
I was a bit short on dough, so I went to Wonga.com to pay for the gift."
"Good grief" Said Santa.
"Wonga charge stupid rates. It will take you
years to pay them back even for this very cheap gift.
How will you ever cope?"
"Don't worry" Said Arthur bearing his teeth in mock anger.
"I work nights doing security on a building site. If I work really hard and bang in a bit of overtime, i'll soon be able to pay my loan off, once I have paid all my taxes to Mr Cameron as well.
With a bit of luck they might have mis-sold me PPI as well, so I could be quids in!
Next up was Bella.
"Ho Ho Ho!" Said Santa.
"I bet you don't know the story of Jesus and how he was
born in a manger. I'll give you a shiny shilling if you can tell me what a manger is?"
"That's easy" said Bella.
A manger is someone who coaches an East End Football club.
Like 'Arry' Redknapp is the manger of Queens Park Rangers."
"And what have you bought for the baby Jesus young Bella?"
Bella being a bone idle dog hadn't worked a day in her life and was very lower class.
"I ain't bought Jack shit"
"Well that's not the festive spirit is it?" Said Santa.
"No it probably ain't, but I don't give a flying.
Give me five Santa and I'll tell you why I is a lazy bitch.
I don't have to work. I got pregnant twice as a young pup. That gave me 14 kids, so the benefits are ace.
The 2 fathers are also paying me a monthly allowance for the pups which covers my booze and fags.
I also get a free kennel for me and the sprogs to live in, with SKY TV in every room.
My heating is paid for, I get job seekers (tho I ain't lookin'),
and food credits.
Thank you Mr Cameron!
Why do I need to work to earn money for presents?"
"You are so right" Said Santa.
"It's bollocks. I'm handing my P45 in on Xmas Eve.
It's damn hard work going round the world delivering presents to all those snotty bloody kids"
I don't need it.
A life on the Social for me from now on"
MORAL OF THE STORY.
Go to work, and you will be screwed.
Get screwed and you will be rewarded.
THE END.
COMING SOON
THE GARDHOUSE PLAYERS
WISH ALL READERS OF THIS
BLOG.
A VERY MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
The 3 dogs had decided to visit Santa as they all wanted to hear about the story of Xmas, and also to bring presents for the baby Jesus.
Shep was first.
"Read me a bit about Xmas Santa"
"Ho ho ho!" Said Santa.
"All in good time"
"First of all, what present did you bring for the baby Jesus?"
Shep being a bit posh but had fallen on hard times thanks to Cameron's shoddy government said.
"I went to Cash Converters and exchanged all my bones for money, with which I bought gold, so I have brought some bling for the infant king" (Great when it rhymes)
"That's very noble of you" said Santa,
"But how will you get all your lovely bones back from Cash Converters, what with their massive interest rates?"
"Not to worry" said Shep. " I am an intelligent Collie Dog. I can
get work on any farm I like guarding sheep, and if I work really hard, I will soon have saved up to get all my lovely bones back. Once I have paid my 25% to the government of course.
Next up was Arthur.
"Ho Ho Ho!" said Santa.
"And what have you bought for the baby Jesus?"
Arthur being working class had also come by hard times.
"Well I was supposed to bring Frankincense but that's a bit hard to
come by now days, so I bought a Brut gift box. Same thing, it's all perfume in my book.
I was a bit short on dough, so I went to Wonga.com to pay for the gift."
"Good grief" Said Santa.
"Wonga charge stupid rates. It will take you
years to pay them back even for this very cheap gift.
How will you ever cope?"
"Don't worry" Said Arthur bearing his teeth in mock anger.
"I work nights doing security on a building site. If I work really hard and bang in a bit of overtime, i'll soon be able to pay my loan off, once I have paid all my taxes to Mr Cameron as well.
With a bit of luck they might have mis-sold me PPI as well, so I could be quids in!
Next up was Bella.
"Ho Ho Ho!" Said Santa.
"I bet you don't know the story of Jesus and how he was
born in a manger. I'll give you a shiny shilling if you can tell me what a manger is?"
"That's easy" said Bella.
A manger is someone who coaches an East End Football club.
Like 'Arry' Redknapp is the manger of Queens Park Rangers."
"And what have you bought for the baby Jesus young Bella?"
Bella being a bone idle dog hadn't worked a day in her life and was very lower class.
"I ain't bought Jack shit"
"Well that's not the festive spirit is it?" Said Santa.
"No it probably ain't, but I don't give a flying.
Give me five Santa and I'll tell you why I is a lazy bitch.
I don't have to work. I got pregnant twice as a young pup. That gave me 14 kids, so the benefits are ace.
The 2 fathers are also paying me a monthly allowance for the pups which covers my booze and fags.
I also get a free kennel for me and the sprogs to live in, with SKY TV in every room.
My heating is paid for, I get job seekers (tho I ain't lookin'),
and food credits.
Thank you Mr Cameron!
Why do I need to work to earn money for presents?"
"You are so right" Said Santa.
"It's bollocks. I'm handing my P45 in on Xmas Eve.
It's damn hard work going round the world delivering presents to all those snotty bloody kids"
I don't need it.
A life on the Social for me from now on"
MORAL OF THE STORY.
Go to work, and you will be screwed.
Get screwed and you will be rewarded.
THE END.
COMING SOON
THE GARDHOUSE PLAYERS
WISH ALL READERS OF THIS
BLOG.
A VERY MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Tuesday 17 December 2013
XMAS PARTY
Sunday there was a Xmas get together at the Cheval Blanc in Plancoet.
Mostly ex pats, and a few French, and ....
AN AUSSIE!
Just my luck to meet up with Cathy, as soon as the English Ashes humiliation was complete.
Despite my informed instruction on what was wrong with England's batting and bowling, it really didn't matter.
You can't win the Ashes with a Satsuma!
I have got up most mornings at 3am to watch the cricket.
Thankfully for the last 2 tests I won't have to.
Well done England.
XMAS IS COMING
Just a week to Xmas and Marie has made the cake decorations.
Even I have to admit they are quite good!
Wednesday 11 December 2013
2014 EVENTS
If you are thinking of visiting in 2014, of course you are welcome anytime.
But if you want to tie it in with a local event, here is the village "fun days" for next year.
Sat 1 March. Football club dinner.
Sun 6 July. Country show and BBQ lunch
Sun 13 July. Bastille Day Pig Roast
Sat 9 August. Moules frittes at the lake. Outside night disco.
11Nov. Armistice day Lunch. (I am a speaker)
WINTER ARRIVES
The last for nights have bought a hard frost to St Potan.
AT least the house is nice and warm with the new double glazing and the wood burner chucking out some serious heat.
The weekends before Xmas sees the local hunt out blasting anything that moves just to make sure they have something on their plate for the festive season.
We have taken no chances and stuck high viz jackets on the dogs.
The hard frost doesn't stop Shep digging deep for mice, and to our horror actually caught one this week and swallowed it whole.
Despite the cold, it's still a pleasant quiet walk across the countryside.
Tuesday 3 December 2013
FARM SITTING
Marie volunteered to look after Bill and Sue's small holding in Plancoet for 5 days.
A selection of poultry, goats, and two cats had to be fed and watered.
Nice enough place but even more out in the sticks than we are.
Talk about quiet.
NOT MUCH NEWS
This is probably the longest time since I made a post, and that's because November is pretty much a quiet month.
And it was even quieter when Marie went back to "Pastyland for a few days to visit her folks.
Highlight was visiting Aileen and Dean to see the new baby.
After Pastyland, she went up to Essex to catch up with cousins before flying home.
Sunday 10 November 2013
CEREMONY AT ST MELOIR DES BOIS.
Saturday at St Meloir there was a ceremony to commemorate Norweigan wartime pilot Jan Gert von Tangen who was killed in action 70 years ago.
The story is told here.
I represented the Royal Navy Association France Nord by laying a wreath at the newly built memorial.
A service was held in the village church, which was packed out with veterans, locals, and relatives of the dead pilot.
There was then a service held at the crash site.
Pilot von Tangen's picture hangs above the memorial.
The two memorials were made in Brittany.
Veterans from many regiments across France attended, along with the RAF.
Friday 1 November 2013
HALLOWEEN
Thursday night being Halloween, was celebrated like a bunch of kids at the Cheval Blanc in Plancoet.
Marie carved two home grown pumpkins which were excellent, although using all the flesh up is going to be interesting the next few days. Lots of soups I suppose!
I did curry for 30, a Chicken Kashmiri and Pumpkin and Lentil Xacuti for the Vegetarians!.
It all went down very well, including a French couple having their first ever curry, who really enjoyed it.
Tho they couldn't understand poppadoms!
Most people dressed up for the event, apart from me because I am a grumpy old sod!
And who wants to eat their food cooked by someone dressed as Dr Crippin or the like?
Friday 25 October 2013
RNA TRAFALGAR LUNCH
32 members turned up at the Brit Hotel, Relais du Mont for our annual RNA Trafalgar Lunch.
3 courses, along with "splice the mainbrace" and of course port and wine, made it a great occasion.
Sadly the venue where we always hold this event is closing soon, so we are looking for a venue in France next year that doesn't mind the Brits celebrating duffing up the French in 1805.
Wednesday 23 October 2013
RUSSIAN COOKING
I said Russian Cooking not "Rushing Cooking"
We don't do microwave meals here.
A real glut of beetroot means we are copying the recipe from our Russian friends and made a big batch of this soup for winter.
The closest I can find on the net is this recipe.
Serves 4
300g beetroot, peeled
50g butter
1 small onion, 1 small carrot, 1 stick of celery, 1 small leek, all peeled where necessary and cut into small dice or rings
2 grains allspice
½ bay leaf
1.5l gelatinous beef stock
2 medium floury potatoes, eg Maris Piper, peeled and cut into small dice
½ small cabbage, shredded
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp ground black pepper
Sour cream and fresh dill, to serve (preferably Polish sour cream, which has a richer flavour)
50g butter
1 small onion, 1 small carrot, 1 stick of celery, 1 small leek, all peeled where necessary and cut into small dice or rings
2 grains allspice
½ bay leaf
1.5l gelatinous beef stock
2 medium floury potatoes, eg Maris Piper, peeled and cut into small dice
½ small cabbage, shredded
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp ground black pepper
Sour cream and fresh dill, to serve (preferably Polish sour cream, which has a richer flavour)
1. Cut ¾ of the peeled beetroot into small dice (you may want to wear rubber gloves to do this) and set the rest aside. Melt the butter in a large pan, and then soften the onion over a gentle heat for 5 minutes.
2. Add the carrot, leek, celery, diced beetroot, allspice and bay leaf and stir well to coat with butter. Cook for another 10 minutes, adding a little stock if the vegetables begin to look dry. Meanwhile, grate the remaining beetroot.
3. Pour in the rest of the stock and the potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes, then add the cabbage, garlic and grated beetroot. Cook until all the vegetables are tender (about 10 minutes).
4. Add the vinegar, sugar, pepper and a pinch of salt and taste. Add a little more of any of these if necessary, then serve with a dollop of sour cream,
Seriously hearty winter food.
Friday 18 October 2013
60th BIRTHDAY
Last Sunday we went over to Plancoet for Bill Graham's 60th birthday bash.
The weather held off for a live music set from the Black Country Jammers, and then we all had a bit of a BBQ, with wine and beer of course.
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