Christmas Bridge in December 2015, then on to January 2016, both in Roanne and England.

A friend at the Bridge Club sent us some photos of us in action at the bridge table. We look very serious here, playing against Dominique and Marcel in the Téléthon competition! The Téléthon is an annual fundraiser, with various activities throughout Roanne.

Just before Christmas we played bridge at the club, then moved on, with the whole Bridge club, for our Christmas dinner, which was held at Le Château de Champlon at Villerest. This was a superb five course meal, which was enjoyed by all. We look happier here!

This was our last sighting of Cedric, or it might be Cecile, in early January. We thought that these were suitable French names for our tame(ish) coypu friends. We are told that they are now probably in hibernation for the rest of the winter. The warm weather here must have been confusing for them, as we haven't really had any cold weather as yet.

There are usually several camper vans at the Port of Roanne, but in the second week in January we had an unusual arrival. It was a horse drawn caravan, owned by Barney Maurice, of Wanderlusts.co.uk, who was travelling with his wife, Katya, and his young son, Madog. Both horses are tethered on the grazing beside the port, near to the caravan.

Both horses are very calm, but built for strength. I saw this one being shod, and Barney told me that one set of his shoes lasted 400 miles, but for another set it was only 250 miles.

They have travelled a long way from Penrith in Cumbria in this caravan.

The sign on the side of the caravan tells us about Barney's business, with horse drawn holidays in Cumbria.

Barney is travelling with his wife, Katya, and his young son, Madog.

After a couple of days, these intrepid travellers left our port, to travel further south in France. Madog can be seen at the front window.

By the middle of January the weather is much colder, and snow can be seen on the hills beyond the port of Roanne.

Shannon has a new scarf to wear.

Meanwhile, Andy has been spending a couple of weeks in England. He went to Slimbridge Wildfowl Centre with Debbie and Matt.

Feeding the geese is an essential part of your visit here!

They also went to visit the Rococo Gardens near to Painswick, quite high up in the Cotswolds. This splendid carving of a castle, out of a living tree, had been recently completed.

This imposing maze was planted to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Rococo Gardens, as can be seen here.

There were also a series of follies built in the gardens. This one is called the Red House, not surprisingly!

Shannon is just checking out her new sweater. After I clipped her on 10th January, she certainly needed the sweater to keep her warm at night. She has, however, managed to stretch the neck, so that she can pull her front legs in, then out through the neck. This creates a sort of body stocking from which it is easy to escape! Shannon would do this during the night, then wake me up to tell me that she was cold!

1st - 19th January 2015. Motor Museum in Schagen. Sally visits England.

The Motor Museum in Schagen has been closed for the winter since we arrived here in November, but opened for one day, so we managed to visit it. It is mainly classic cars there.
The weather has been windy, but not too cold, for the first week of the year in The Netherlands.

Sally went to England for a visit, going by ferry on the Hook of Holland  /  Harwich route to Norfolk. Here are Elaine and Mary in Wayland Wood, with Louis, a cute Padenko hound.

From Norfolk it was on to the coach via London. Our bus took a scenic tour over the River Thames, so we could see the Gherkin, and other new buildings in the city.

The Shard is on the south bank of the river.

Next to see were the Houses of Parliament, but there was little traffic on the river here.

On past the Tower of London, back among the older buildings.

I am staying with Debbie and Matt in Cheltenham. We walked up Cleeve Hill, which gives superb views over the surrounding countryside.

On Sunday we went to Slimbridge to see the birds, which are not frightened of people. There are very many different British birds here, as well as seasonal visitors.

We could buy grain to feed the birds, and these geese were most appreciative!

These flamingos are in the African section of the sanctuary. The cold does not seem to bother them.

Monday 19th January was a very long day, leaving the house with Debbie at 8.30 am to walk to the station. Two trains later, I arrived at Birmingham airport in good time for my 1.15pm Flybe flight. Walking through, I could see a Flybe plane, and thought how small it was. However, due to fog at Amsterdam, my flight and also several others were cancelled.

In the end I was moved to a seat on a KLM flight, which was also delayed. This was a much bigger plane though, which was reassuring. It was early evening by now. We eventually boarded, then waited on the ground for ages until there was room for us to take off. Once over Schipol airport, we had to circle three times, because we were late, until there was room for us to land safely. We could not see the landing lights on the ground until we landed! We taxied for a long way to reach the airport buildings, then walked for ever to get to the main building. By the time I had found my case and then the station, it was quite late. At Amsterdam Sloterdijk I caught the last train of the day at 1.23 am, which took me to Heerhugoward, where ongoing passengers had to catch a bus to Schagen. Andy and Shannon met me at the station, and we eventually reached The Puzzler at 2 am.