(Christmas Eve)

Set off for the Scott’s place – about 60km into the Massif Central from Clermont.  Headed up into the mountains.  Some snow remains on the highest points but the roads are clear.  We arrived around midday and were greeted by Di, who was looking very well, if a little tired.  It turned out that Christabel and Peter had gone into Clermont-Ferrand to obtain a few bits and pieces from the supermarket and to meet Noel, Christabel’s husband, who had flown in from Montreal and driven down from Paris.  I guess that we probably passed them. 

Di took us up to the cottage that we are sharing with Ben and Nicki and we moved ourselves in while Di finished off her preparations for later.  The cottage has been totally renovated by Di and Peter and is fantastic.  They’ve made a brilliant job of it and it is very homely.  We wandered down to the main house for lunch and turned up at the same time as Peter, Christabel and Noel arrived.

Di cooked a wonderful lunch and we all tucked in, catching up with things that had happened since we last saw them, at the same time.  Ben and Nicki arrived around 4ish (Ben had been to see a customer on the way) and we spen the remainder of the day relaxing, drinking and chatting.