As I write it is not entirely obvious that Christmas Day is but a few hours away. It has to be said, and I'm sure it's been said by many others, that Christmas is just not the same as in dear old Blighty, and I also have to say, thank God for that. Thus far we have not had to suffer any of the following that belt out regularly, from the beginning of November to late on Christmas Day in any commercial outlet in the UK - "Merry Christmas (war is over)" yeah, fat chance of that, by John Lennon - and then, you know, the one that goes "are they hanging up their stockings on the wall?." Noddy Holder has a lot to answer for but I suppose this late 20th century hymn keeps the hungry wolves away from his snow laden door, or doors rather, probably massive, double, in oak, huge hinges in black and buried in some far reaching stretch of boundary wall. We can't let these observations pass without a passing tip of the hat to Sir Bob and the eternal, and I mean eternal "Do they know it's Christmas time at all?" Well, hopefully no, if they've got any sense so that brings me back to Ribérac and its environs at this time of year.
Beautiful lobsters at LeClerc, fit enough to grace any table
Lesley and I passed through our local LeClerc supermarket this morning just to pick up a few last minute things. There had been no expense spared as far as the presentation of the fish and fresh fruit were concerned. We noted that a lot more effort had been put into the fresh food displays when compared to other products. I think this tells you all you need to know about the French and their relationship with food and drink.
Some of Corsica's clementines awaiting Christmas Eve buyers
A few onions and filets of garlic
There was an air of general calm about the place. Families were moving gently from row to row stopping now and then to swop a few pleasantries with their neighbours. Topics such as "are you here on holiday?" "Which members of the family are coming to visit?" and of course "What are you eating tonight?" For it is Christmas Eve, "Reveillon" that holds the greater importance for the French; this being the time when the main Christmas meal is taken, normally surrounded by the family and relatives, and which often lasts into the wee small hours. No madness, no mania, just the serious business of getting friends and family together and then to put the world to rights over good food and drink, all taken at a very leisurely pace.
Les jeunes sapeurs pompiers wrapping Christmas gifts
As Lesley and I left we passed 'les jeunes sapeurs pompiers' hard at work wrapping gifts for shoppers. They came in all shapes, sizes and sexes. They were taking their work seriously and I thought to myself that this was an example of what ties communities together. The next generation of firefighters come ambulancmen and women already showing their credentials as regards serving their community. Merry Christmas to you.
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