Au secours!!!!

Ste Alice

HAPPY SAINT'S DAY ALICE!!!!! X X X X X

Yesterday's weather: no better, freezing fog, ice, cold.....

They've come at last.

The chugging of a car was heard climbing the lane towards out house - I scowled, I usually do at strangers, but I nodded and mouthed 'Bonjour'.

Three men unfolded themselves from the car and I noticed that they were wearing the same jackets, black with a reflecting stripe across the middle. The pompiers had come to wish us a Merry Christmas and offer us their calendar. Having heard about this, I was ready with some money to offer them.

The firemen are all volunteers, they attend not just fires but road accidents and other emergencies too. They apparently do not deal with wasps nests as has been widely reported in the past.

These three were not the glamourous men in uniform I had been hoping for. Mr Grumpy was their leader, asking who we are, how long we had been living here and who the neighbours are. All of which was noted in his little black book, along with the note that we had given them a little donation in exchange for the calendar. The other two chaps were equally nothing to write home about but looking at their team photo on the inside cover of the calendar it seems that they were hard pressed to find some nice hunky firemen to send round collecting donations.

Now I am racked with guilt.

Did I offer enough money?

What is the norm?

Will I sleep tonight?

Who else should I expect to come calling?

PS I'm still waiting on the French rugby team.......

The postman always rings twice

Ste Odile
Yesterday's weather; Still bloody cold

I've been expecting the postman, the fireman or someone at least to come round and sell me a calender.


I've been reading that one should expect a call, other people I know have had a call, but the postman doesn't even knock once on my door. I don't even know where the nearest firemen are so that I can go and knock on their door and ask to buy their calendar. It's all a bit of a let down really. I've had a little stash of cash just waiting for them to pop in and offer me their calendar and wait patiently for a Christmas tip but still nothing.

Of course, what would be the best thing would be if the Stade de France popped in to offer me their calendar (click here for details). I'm ready with my 10 Euros, my offer of a cuppa or something stronger.

In my dreams.

I'd have to find a suitable calendar for Jon though, it wouldn't be fair otherwise, would it? I did a little search, carefully mind you, expecting graphic images and not wanting to view anything that would offend. There was the 'Calendrier des Miss', which I thought might have a few scantily clad ladies but they are all well covered up. Other options were the calendar of angels, the calendar of little fairies (?) and all the others were pop stars or TV series. Very boring.

So I'll have to forgo the Gods of the Stadium for this year.

Now, where were those firemen again?

Anyone for rugby?

Ste Emilie

Yesterday's weather: Cooler, mixed sun and cloud

I'm not a great sports fan as anyone who knows me well will testify, but I do love a World Cup. Bring on a few underdogs who somehow have managed to get through to the finals and I'm there waiting for them to be thrashed by the best.

I don't actually enjoy seeing these teams humiliated, it's just that there is this inevitability about it. Take poor old Namibia - beaten by Ireland the other day and thrashed well and truly by France this week, they are bottom of their group with 'nul points'. Gerogia aren't faring much better but France, host and favourite are only in the middle of their group and need to do so much better to get through to the quarter finals.

We live in Rugby country here mid-way between Brive and Montauban but it has been strangely quiet so far. There are a few flags out in Cahors, some of the shops have 'World Cup' displays but there has been a bit of a hush so far. Just wait and see if France get any further in the tournament, then there will be a big noise.

However, if they don't the French team can surely take comfort from the success of their annual calendar, the 2008 version of which was on sale in our local bookshop just last week.

Here's a taster from the 2007 edition:

Unfortunately the 2008 one was still under shrink wrap but I think I should add it to my Christmas list. It must be better than the offerings from the local firemen and postman - actually my postman had better not pose for his, it would make everyone refuse to buy it!