Advent Day Eighteen, Christmas in the village

Ready to help Père Noel

Advent Day Eighteen

Christmas in the village

Today was an exciting day in our village, and that was before the kick-off for the World Cup Final, France v Argentina. 

 

It was the day Père Noel, and his helpers made their annual visit, driving around the village delivering presents to all under elevens.

Delivering presents with Père Noel

 

Some of the children were smiley and excited, some were sleepy as we’d disturbed their afternoon naps, and some just weren’t quite sure what to make of the noisy, colourful convoy that pulled up outside their house.

 

We were lucky, for the third year running, with the weather – it was cold, but the rain stayed away. There is nothing quite as miserable as a soggy, wet, elf on a bicycle.

A sunset ride

 

As we near the solstice, and sunset bike rides this week have been non-existent, we decided to make good use of the fact that the roads were deserted as the TV became the focus for most, rather than the setting sun. It might not have been quite as dramatic as yesterday’s that we enjoyed whilst driving home, but it was a warmer evening to be out on the bike. 

Chef-Boutonne market place

 

It did seem rather strange being the only ones outdoors as the lights came on in the market place, but every now and then we could hear shouts of life coming from one of the bars. Whether they were in triumph or despair, we really couldn’t make out.

 

I certainly feel much better for having been out on the bike today, especially as I’m now only seventeen kilometres away from my five-thousand-kilometre target for this year.

 

Merci Père Noel, it is always a pleasure helping you out, see you next year. 

Père Noel in the village