Noel, Noel

This year le Comte and I christmassed in dear old Angleterre, collecting Princess 2 en route. She was billeted with her brother Prince A who has installed himself with his Welsh maid in the Chatelaine’s ancestral homelands of Bicester. These days Bicester is known mostly for its outlet shops and eco-houses, but the Dowager Chatelaine lives there still in the estate bungalow not far from the station so it is always a pleasure to visit.

From Bicester le Comte and his wife progressed northwards to Birmingham, not on donkeys which would have been more traditional, but in a Vauxhall Astra provided by Hertz. Nor were there any stars visible, but this may have been due to light pollution that the Three Wise men simply didn’t have to contend with. Instead les Cs had GPS, much more reliable, and arrived without incident on Christmas Eve. Having thought to book ahead we were able to spend the night cosily billeted with the Comte’s family. The following day turkey was eaten, gifts were exchanged and Downton Abbey was watched by all.

On Boxing Day the three merry revellers journeyed through rain and sleet to visit the Vegetarians on their island in the south. Here we partook of an excellent spinach and ginger soup and chatted to the younger Vegetarians. We were sad to discover that the boy has been recruited by the Dark Side following a Stars Wars DVD, but delighted that the girl is learning to play the bassoon.



A sea wall

Finally the weary trio spent a day or two on the east coast tramping round sea walls and over tufty hillocks. Le Comte and I visited the town where we were married and drank a celebratory pint in the local hostelry. By the time we returned to the airport we had journeyed 678 miles round dear old Angleterre.
 

After a long day traversing la France we eventually reached Chateau Coldspot late at night. The heating had been switched off during our absence and the house was 6 degrees centigrade. Nobody took their coats off. In fact, I donned an extra one and wore them both to bed.

Le Comte and I had decided to take the youngest Princess back with us to France as we were missing her but she has apparently taken it upon herself to book a flight back to the Pays de Galle almost immediately. She claims to have exams. I have reluctantly agreed to take her to the airport on Thursday, as long as she promises to come back to Chateau Coldspot soon.