2016 DOGS XMAS PANTO

Sadly this years Xmas panto has been affected 

by industrial action.

That's the trouble with French dogs.

They have gone on strike over working conditions.

The panto will be played out by dog actors,

who are not members of the "WOOFS" Union.

(We're out on frigging strike)

I give you this years panto..

Woof Justice.

It had not been the best of years.

Xmas presents were hard to come by,

and the dogs were really disappointed.

Just look at the sparse gifts.

A manky old rawhide bone, a satsuma,

and one tiny chocolate.

"Stuff this" said Arthur

"The worst Xmas ever. I am off on the lash

to get totally wasted. 

Bella said "As Xmas is so crap, I'm off to 

play with my ball till I am so tired, I can't stand."

Shep the slightly violent one said,

"I want to go clubbing"

"Seal clubbing. Arf arf!"

"Good idea the others" agreed.

"I know a good place to pull birds" said Arthur

"Let's face it, we have had 4 sparrows, 2 blue tits,

and a blackbird off this table already this year" 

The WOOF Union had a meeting and all agreed that their

demands should be a good Xmas feast.

All the Xmas trimmings and festive cheer.

And also a 20 hour walking week.

And the owners gave in to their demands.

A festive fresh chicken with pigs in blankets,

and biscuits.

Hang on.....

"Solidarity Brothers and Sisters"

The strike is over.

Food is the most important thing for

mutts this Yuletide.

And any other day of the year to be honest!

"This is now the best Xmas ever" said Arthur.

Merry Christmas Chums. 

MARIE'S CAKE MAKING

Marie made another cake.

This one was for Marylene at the

local bar. 

Another great effort.

CURRY NIGHT

Had 10 guests for a curry night at ours last night.

Chicken Dhansak, Beef Rendang, all the trimmings.

Chrissy and John have sold their house in the village,

so it was a farewell bash for them.

BAZZA's VISIT

My old HMS Invincible mate, Barry, came

over for his first visit last week of November.

A couple of days out around Matignon, and St Cast,

then an overnight in Dinan, where I got a couple

of photo tips from the maestro.

The port of Dinan out of season is  

tranquil, but fortunately most the bars are open.

IN THE PAPER

We are in the Ouest France paper this morning.

The link is here..

http://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/saint-potan-22550/le-coquelicot-symbole-britannique-des-soldats-morts-4613092

Explaining all about the poppy to

the local school children.

VILLAGE BASH

Last big village get together of the year.

About 150 turned up for a simple

4 course meal with wine.

And I mean simple.

Soup, ham and chips, cheese, and apple pie.

Plenty of wine of course,

then a bit of a euro pop disco to 

work it off.

CHICKEN DUTY

Looking after friends chickens whilst 

they are back in the UK

Heading out first light around 8am, and 

then locking them up around 1730.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

A good village turnout for the 

Remembrance Day ceremony

For the first time I had the honour to

march to the memorial with the Mayor,

and French veterans.

Flowers were laid and we had a small

remembrance cross with a poppy.

The Mayor's Mother teaches at the infant school in the village,

and gathered all the children together to

tell them about the history of the poppy.

The Kids were most keen to take a close look at our medals,

and take a look at the Queen on them.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween was spent at the Cheval Blanc in Plancoet.

Marie carved a couple of home grown pumpkins.

So plenty of soup has been made with the contents.

Fancy dress was the rig of the day.

Myself as the Prince of Darkness, 

Ozzy Osbourne...

...And Marie didn't bother.

The bar slowly filled up with a mixture

of locals and natives.

A bit of live music from Flashback Station.

Maybe 40 plus turned up for a fine evening.

TRAFALGAR DAY CELEBRATION

Yesterday we went to the 13 Assiettes,

near Avranches in Normandy, for our

Royal Navy Association France Nord Branch

Trafalgar Lunch

53 attended.

Had a great meal, a bit of rum and port, and all

in all a fantastic lunch.

Here is me in a picture taken so long ago, in fact, just before the Battle of Trafalgar

CAMPERVAN ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE

The annual weekend visit of the campervan

crew came out 1st weekend of October.

Nick, Pam, Jock, Janina, Pete, and Tim, joined

us for a weekend of alcohol and food,

and of course plenty of laughs.

Usual trip up to Le Nautil, to run

up a huge bar bill, and generally keep the 

local commerce's going.

MORE GARDEN STUFF

Having a warm September here in St Potan.

Been a great year for produce, and the apple harvest

will be the best ever.

The chickens are in fine fettle, but egg 

production has dropped off.

Must be a dispute over laying hours or something,

after all, they are French

And still much more to come.

Pumpkins in early October, 

(Google Sri Lankan Pumpkin Soup)

Just the best winter warmer ever.

Butternut's galore and sweetcorn.

The raspberries have started to go mental too.