BRASS MONKEY!

After the snow at the weekend, the temperatures have not got much above freezing and as I type this at 10-15am, it is minus 3.6.

Here is the icy scene looking out too the left of our house.

And here is the icy scene looking out too the right.

Luckily this morning Mr Bonenfant has just delivered our domestic fuel oil for the winter.

ANOTHER FINE SATURDAY NIGHT

Mikhail & Natasha invited us round for an evening of Georgian style food.

That is Georgia the country not The House of Hanover Georgian era (1714-1811)

A lovely cheese stuffed flatbread, beetroot and walnut puree as well as soused peas for starters.

Then pork dumplings with a lemon chicken casserole.

Delicious.

MORE DARTS

Has been quite an impressive start to life in the National league Division 3.

We lost on Thursday 10-9 (Al did not play owing to squad rotation)

So that is Won 3 and Lost 2 so far.

Still happily in the top half of the table!

EARLY SNOW

It was certainly expected, and this morning we have had a layer of snow across the Cotes D'Armor. It started about 8am here and lasted 2 hours.

Just enough time to take the "Snow Dogs" out.

It's disappearing rapidly, but more is expected in the week.

FAREWELL TO ST LOERMEL

Friday night saw the closing of the bar in St Loermel

Morgane and Benjamin have run the place for 6 years but with two young children it has become a bit too much especially as Benjamin also works as the 2nd chef in

our village restaurant.

There was a happy hour and a good few turned out.

And Ulysses the dog can retire from his pub duty of trying to mount anyone who enters the bar.

The new owners are hoping to be up and running by 6th December, but it will re-open as a creperie and bar.

A QUIET WEEK

Not so much quiet really, we just forgot to take pictures..

Last Friday we lost 16-3 at darts to Plousane. A team that were 5 divisions above us 2 years ago.

Totally thrashed out of sight, and they will almost surely win our league this season.

Saturday we hosted a curry party for 8. Alain, Josie and their girl, with John, Chrissie and Natasha joined us for Sheek kebab, Tikka Massala, Jalfreizi and all the trimmings.

Tonight is another darts match, this time at home to Pleurtuit. Would be nice to win and maintain our top 4 position.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Once again we turned out for the remembrance day parade in the village.

A wet and blustery morning meant that the main part of the service was held indoors at the Salle de Fete.

The march off at 1140.

About 100 people attended.

The laying of the wreath.

Every year a citation is read out to honour someone who served in the 2nd World War (Obviously there are no 1st World War vets left!)

A 97 year old local had this years award.

I didn't catch his name but he joined the army in 1935 and at the outbreak of the war was sent to the Luxembourg border.

He was captured in 1940 and spent the war in internment near Rennes.

Ooooo. Look at our medals.

And to complete the look. A Canadian poppy and a MOD Guard pullover!

I couldn't find my George Cross and other medals for making Cornish pasties under gunfire. (Well, at the Portland Thursday War at least)

VETS IN PRACTICE

Call the emergency vet!

Poor old Athur has a poorly paw!

He split his left front dew claw playing in the garden.

It's painful for him when you touch it, but hopefully it will drop off in a few days.

If not, it's up to the vets !

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER.

And it is unseasonably warm.

The clocks going back now means it is dark at 6pm and light at 0745.

Long nights eh?

So what's coming up in the Gard household this month.

All darts matches are on Thursdays this month.

We are at Languenon tomorrow and in the interests of squad rotation, I am dropping myself for that game.

But Dinan, Baguer Morvan and Pleurtuit are on the horizon.

Thursday 11th is remembrance day, so as usual we will go to the village ceremony, and raise a glass to all we have served with as well as remember those that are no longer here.

We certainly will go up to St Malo soon and have a Chinese buffet!

That is really it socially for November.

The veg plot will be rotorvated very soon and we are going to re-plaster a bedroom ceiling.

Don't forget to save a few pennies in the new year to come to my "surprise" 50th, which will take place in the village bar on Sat 2nd April.

4 days after the big day, but the most viable option.

Seems we have a few coming but there is space for more to stay!