Christmas Day

We were excited to be invited to spend Christmas Day with our French friends and their extended family, although I was apprehensive in case they gave us raw oysters for starters. The French eat so many oysters at Christmas that the supermarkets erect marquees outside to sell the thousands of boxes.

I needn't have worried (if they did have them it was the evening before, as Christmas Eve is the special meal at Christmas in France). However we did have home made Foie Gras, which we love, (sorry if you have moral objections, but it's delicious and as much part of the French tradition of Christmas as Christmas pudding is in Britain). This was followed by a roast capon and vegetables, then cheese and finishing with  a Christmas ice cream log. Of course each course was accompanied by a special wine which everyone carefully read the label and nodded appreciatively. There were about a dozen of us for lunch, of all ages from 5 months to us oldies. However, amongst those assembled were Charlotte (our friend's daughter) and Louis her husband who have fairly recently become wine producers so there was much admiring  and consuming of their produce.

As the afternoon progressed we were amused to note the similarities with a British Christmas; odd folks seemed to disappear and reappear refreshed after a sleep. In the middle of the evening our hostess suggested a glass of champagne which seemed to revive everyone and bring a sparkle to the proceedings. Eventually we all sat down and partook of left over lunch and more wine. More similarities at this stage as a "heated discussion " took place regarding saving the planet.

Our verdict was that a French family Christmas is very similar to that in Britain, however we feel very priviledged to have been invited.