L’approach du Noël

A quick update on my totally bogus journey before I head down to the Alps. Two weeks back was the Saint Nicolas parade through the centre of St. Dié. This character is the patron saint of children and the parade consists of illuminated floats (with children throwing lollies out to the crowd) and marching bands. The Père Fouettard, the dark, méchant anti-Saint Nicolas, who threatens to beat all the naughty kids with his big stick, trailed behind amid jeers and whistles from the crowd. Was a treat to see.

Tuesday night was Xmas party night at Lionel’s place. The meal was nice and light – fois gras, champagne, grapefruit salad, baked fish, chicken, trifle and bouche de noël (traditional French Christmas dessert). Also there was Cécile (from the college), her boyfriend Séb, and friends Cesar, Marie, Jerome, Jacqueline and Valérie. The trifle was my concoction and despite a few hurdles in the ingredient department, it came off OK. If anyone’s looking at an Aeroplane Jelly franchise there’s a big hole in the Lorraine market.

It was Christmas lunch at the school canteen today as well – tables decked out and decorated and the highlight was a massive table full of different desserts. The students were in heaven.

Moreover, winter has well and truly arrived – the mercury has had a bit of trouble getting above zero for most of the past week. Beautiful sunny days though and you can feel the mood lift a bit when the sun pokes its head out!