XMAS DAY

It's 4 years on the trot that we have gone

to the village restaurant for Xmas dinner.

So much easier than doing it at home, also

cheaper, and no washing up.

We have Bob and Lesley here, so the finals

of crap Xmas jumper were being held. 

As usual top notch food with lobster starter

and lamb for main, along with

much more and plenty of vino.

LATE AUTUMN WARMTH

Has been unseasonably warm in St Potan,

No frosts, fairly dry, so that means one thing....

..the harshest winter for 50 years is coming.

The dogs are loving the clear fields at the moment.

RNA XMAS BASH

Saturday was the Xmas Dinner for the

Navy Association at Val st Pere.

We stayed at the 13 Assiettes overnight, after

much drinking and a great meal.

ROAST HAM NIGHT

Saturday night was the last village gathering

of the year at the Salle de Fete.

Around 160 turned up for a 3 course

meal with lots and lots of wine.

The event was to raise funds for the village

football team, and maybe now they can 

afford Ronaldo.

A decent night out ended with a very

euro pop disco.

All good fun.

IN THE NEWS

Our attendance at the 11th November remembrance ceremony,

made the Ouest-France newspaper.

I really don't know why as we go every year.

Must have been a slow news day!

REMEMBRANCE DAY

A good village turnout of 150 or

so attended remembrance day.

Usual routine.

Muster outside the Mayor's at 1130.

Kiss and shake hands with everyone.

A minute's silence.

A speech from Mr Hollande read

out for all to hear.

Sadly we heard nothing as the church

bells were ringing out whilst this was happening.

A local band played the "Marseillaise" to which

we have now learnt the words...

"Der der der der der der de da da,

der de da da de do do da da.

The above photo appeared in 

today[s Le Telegramme newspaper.

HALLOWEEN

I made a couple of curries for halloween at

the Cheval Blanc in Plancoet.

Had about 30 turn up at 8 euros a head,

and profits were for the Hospice Africa

shop in Jurgon les Lacs.

Sadly, not one person from the charity turned

up for the event, which shows a massive

lack of respect for all those that turned up.

Anyhow, a good evening was had by all.

Marie carved a couple of our home grown pumpkins,

and did a real good job.

We now have pumpkin soup for the winter!

TRAFALGAR LUNCH

Thursday we were at the 13 Assiettes restaurant,

at Val St Pere. A few miles on from

Mont St Michel. 

53 of us turned up for the 210th anniversary

of Nelson's victory.

Plenty of medals on show from

veterans of all the three services.

An excellent 4 course lunch with wine, was followed

with speeches, and much port was drunk.

And of course, no Navy celebration is

complete without a tot of rum.....or two.

PUMPKIN FRENZY

With Marie back in the UK for a few days,

it was my task to bring in the pumpkins before

the frosts set in.

Well, last night was damn close to a frost, so all have 

been harvested.

Apart from a few lingering raspberries, and 

slowly improving sprouts, that's

it for this year.

The freezer is full of all sorts, so we are set

for what all signs are, a very cold winter.

AUTUMN NEWS

Now here is a couple of diverse pictures.

Autumn has kicked in, tho not too cold yet. 

Have profited from our friends up the lane moving,

especially with walnuts.

I went back to Bournemouth for Mick Cunningham's funeral,

and caught up with Mum and Bob, along with 

many from my AFC Bournemouth supporting history.

Took a stroll down to my old local, The Richmond in Charminster, Bournemouth.

Still looks the same, but not a pub for native Englishmen anymore.

ON THE WAY TO THE RNA

Once every couple of months I attend

the Royal Navy Association Committee meeting

at Vilde Guingalan, about 15 miles from home.

Thought this morning I would take a few pictures

from the journey.

Church at Borseul.

The bar at Plelan le Petit was open

for early morning coffee.

The church at Plelan.

And finally, Chip, the pub dog

where we hold the meetings.

ST POTAN AUTUMN MARKET

Sunday saw a village arts and  crafts market.

Stalls were inside the salle des fetes, as well

as outside.

A bit of live music thrown in..

And most important of all, a bar,

serving large glasses of wine at a euro a go!!

A FRIEND DEPARTED.

I use this blog for our life in France as a rule,

but I have to make an exception.

When still in the Navy, I was serving on the

committee at Dean Court Supporters Club,

and after an upheaval, became Chairman.

It was tough times for the club, being totally broke, and

nobody was being paid.

When on leave, I used to help around the club, and

Mick Cunningham worked in an office above us.

He did all the press work, as well as produce the

matchday magazine.

I would get in around 9am for brewery deliveries, and

Mick would already be at work, sorting through details for his 

next magazine.

We would spend the first hour or so talking

all things AFCB.

I think he had every press cutting going back to

the year dot.

Mick also produced the fanzine "Not the 8502" to which,

I contributed often.

Then somehow, Mick organised a group of

beer swilling football fans to play the odd

football game against opposition supporters.

One game was on Hackney Marshes against Orient fans.

The pitch was so far from the changing room that a taxi would have been in order to get the game going.

I slipped on a dog turd, then on returning to the changing room,

found there was no water.

I turned up at the main event that afternoon smelling awful.

There are many stories I can tell  about Mick and our

laughs and times together.

Sadly he was sacked as the programme editor by

Eddie Mitchell in 2013.

Disgusting treatment for a loyal servant.

He had a brain hemorrage whilst taking photos

at the Stoke V AFCB game, and died Sunday around 8am.

Just 55 years old. And a military man in the RAF, whom

he served 16 years.

God bless Mick, a true friend and gent.

LUNCHEON

Glorious autumnal sunshine, and post eclipse

we went to the village resto.

Still brilliant value at 14.50 euros

for 3 courses, and of course a 

bottle of wine on top.

ECLIPSE NIGHT

Went to bed quite early Sunday night, and set the

alarm to watch the lunar eclipse.

It started around 2-15 am and went on through till nearly

6 in the morning.

It happened right in front of our front garden.

A beautiful clear night for once when these

things happen.

Am not claiming these photos are mine,

as Marie took them.

A spectacular night, not to be seen

again till 2033.

RUNNY HONEY

Around 6kg of good runny honey has come out of our 

one beehive his summer.

Last year we left it a bit late and we had solid honey because

of the raspberry canes in the garden,

A big thank you to Alan, Jane, Bill, & Sharon for their help and advice in getting us sorted. 

VIRGIN VISITORS

Great to have a first visit from Kenny and Jaqi.

The weather held for a weekend of fun in Dinan, St cast, and 

of course in the village and home.

Kenny being an ex Navy Chef, and life long Rangers fan,

found the appropriate drink to listen to the

football with.

The French equal to Mad Dog 20/20.

Saturday night was spent in the village bar.

Great photo this.

A good end to the summer season.

FROM THE WEEK BEFORE

A few more photos from the port of Dinan, with

the Lancaster's and Vanessa.

Stopped down for a bit of lunch, and was 

entertained by a jazz band going up and

down the river.

DINAN FOR THE RNA

Tuesday 8th Sept, 14 members went to The St Louis 

in Dinan for lunch.

Was a really decent venue with great food,

so will be back on our own soon.