11th - 31st December 2016. Christmas with our friends on Rook, then fantastic frosty trees, leading up to New Years Eve on Eendracht. More frost on New Year's Day, January 1st 2017.

There has been quite a lot of rain, and this skateboarder cannot come across to us. Il est désolé!

There were 15 of us on Peter`s boat, Rook, for Christmas this year, with everyone sharing the cooking.

Chief chefs, however, were Gorete, Peter and Nikki. We had a great meal!

The ice is starting to encroach on The Puzzler.

We have had fog, followed by frost, creating a freezing wonderland.

All the trees are frozen beside the road, behind the capitainerie.

Along by the River Loire, everything is covered with ice.

Even the grass has a covering of white.

The heavy frost is on all the trees.

Each tree creates a different pattern.

We celebrated New Year's Eve on Eendracht, where a good time was had by all.

With a mixture of cultures, we sang Auld Lang Syne, then continued with the hats and whistles of France. Cora had also brought a metre sized ball of mistletoe, under which we all had to kiss everyone else. No-one was averse to this!

Back on The Puzzler, Shannon tried out one of the hats for size.

However, she decided that she preferred the laid-back ribbon look!

On New Year's Day our winter wonderland was back again, with a bright sunny day to help the icy effect.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Dec 2015 - early Jan 2016. Festive celebrations in the Port de Roanne.

It really does not seem like winter at all here as the weather is consistently dry and warm. Walking continues to be good around Roanne. We start along by the River Loire, then have a choice of several routes back to the port. The Loire can be seen in the distance to Andy's right.

Shannon had a wonderful time at Christmas opening her presents. This one contained a soft duck which was already a favourite toy, rewrapped for the occasion!

We were lucky enough to be invited to Christmas dinner on the barge Rook, with 17 people present altogether. From the left we have Mick, Trevor and Vicky, Sally and Foster, Ghislaine and Jean-Charles, Altz, Andy and Sally, Mary and Brian, and Graham.

At the other end of the table, again from the left, are Jill, Altz(again), Graham(again), mine hosts Pete and Jan, Frank and Mick(again). It was a great occasion.

Everyone shared in the preparation of food on their own boats, before coming to Rook for the meal. Mary carries in the Christmas puddings, which did burn merrily for a short while.

Pete saw some French people outside, who were watching our celebrations, so they too were invited in for a glass of wine, and a good time was had by all!

After the meal it was time to relax. More dogs arrived, and we ended up with 7 of them on Rook too.

Shannon, on Sally, and Escot, on Ghislaine, are now the best of friends, although Shannon thought she would chase Escot when they first met! Jean-Charles and Ghislaine are French friends of Pete, who live near to the port.

By Sunday we had recovered from Christmas, and took the bikes to explore further along the River Loire. Leaving the bikes, we walked on to reach the old quarry, which is very peaceful and a lovely place to walk.

Sunset over the port of Roanne. This is the view from The Puzzler – aren't we lucky!

For New Year's Eve, we were all invited to the barge Highlander by Roger and Mary, who had been away for Christmas.

Here is the rest of the gang!

The two Marys are getting quite merry with the oysters! We all had a taste, but some people enjoyed them more than others did. Neither Andy or I were too keen on them, the oysters that is!

By New Year's Day it was all too much for Andy and Shannon!

Frederick, who lives next door to us on his cruiser, Willusty, is one of Shannon's best friends.