Christmas crashes in

The subterfuge worked. The packages that I had suggested might have been worm farms, and which had the Sprogs at least partly convinced contained something  that might be alive, were in fact a pair of iPhone 5’s. A lot of disguise had to go into the wrapping otherwise Sprog 2’s noseyness could have spoiled the surprise. To be brutally honest, the main reason for getting them iPhones is that they can teach us both how they work.

With the present opening over and the champagne breakfast behind us, we popped next door to the White Hart for a festive pre-Christmas lunch pint of Harvey’s. My Christmas present to my followers is live. For the rest of today through until around 10am tomorrow morning you can download my first book “Summer In The Côte d’Azur” onto your new kindle for free! I know my friends will be downloading it and offering up 5 star reviews as I write. I will be finding out soon enough if I have any friends. I shall convince myself, if there is no uptake, that none of my friends own kindle’s.

Obviously even Currencies Direct have to have a day off, despite the value and importance of their services, unlike my good self who has once again produced this column, the 1010th in succession.  I feel it is my public duty now.

Waking up yesterday moring at 9am and discovering that it was not dark, and with a high tide forecast accompanied by a gale force wind, the temptation was to head for the coast and see what carnage was being wrought. It was a temptation that was not to be denied as my picture today captures. It was the only 10 minute break in the weather all day. You will not be surprised to hear that it rained again for most of yesterday and more rain is forecast today.

High tide on the south coast

There are certain traditions which are unavoidable at Christmas. The evening before we introduced the Sprogs to the talent that is Morecambe and Wise, not altogether successfully as it turns out, but we had more success with Mrs Browns Boys. Last night was expecteded to be a real test as we had planned to watch The Royle Family Xmas special, but that will have to wait due to my over enthusiastic consumption of most of a bottle of 1994 vintage port, a very welcome gift from the Sprogs with my money.  I do not have high hopes that they will enjoy this as much as I. The last time I watched it with them, they asked if that was what life was like when I was a kid, and I admit that I squirmed a little uncomfortably in my seat before issuing a firm but unconvincing denial.

The Downton Abbey Christmas special was enough to complete my Christmas Day and I retired to bed at a little after 11, stuffed full of various diet-avoiding foods as befits this time  of year. I suspect that even as I doze, a foodless  campaign is being planned for me. Purgatory now awaits but until then I have a few more days in which to continue to enjoy the rest of that 1994 vintage port, and the Montechristo  no 2 cigars, which were a gift to myself from err…myself.

Today, Boxing Day, was originally forecast to be nicer than the last few days, and there was half a plan to organise a walk on the beach, but nothing seems settled on that as I write, I guess it should be galoshes to the fore just in case. If I feel a little moist today, you will know the reason.

Chris France
@Valbonne_News