HAPPY HALLOWEEN

.......................Creepy..............

Well Manu was working this weekend so a little lonely but Stephanie always comes to the party and invited me and the kids to celebrate Halloween with her.  So we made a ghost cake or as they say here a Phantom Gateau.  I am slowly getting into the French way of life and so far I like it.  Miss Bovril and Pronutro though and Halloween always seemed to feature in South Africa in some way or another.

Not much happening in France for Halloween.  Tomorrow is Tousant, or All Saints, so a public holiday.  I am staying in bed as the clocks went back last night and the kids got up at 5am...............AAAaaarrgghhhhh.

New car on Thursday - watch this space for photos.

COLD SATURDAY

So much for bragging about warm sunny days in the Alps which arrived after all that snow, well we've now gone back to winter mode.  We've had friends staying for a week from northern France who are on their way home today.  Samuel and Benjamin have enjoyed little Pierre pictured here.  And before you ask NO I do not want another one thank you.

BACK TO AUTUMN

Seems we've gone from Winter back to Autumn with snow on the mountains but melted on the ground.  It's going to be 16C today so I intend on being outside, I'm starting to think like a European and follow the sun. 

Our shipment arrives on Tuesday, it's taken over 2 months and I' ve forgotten what I've packed actually.  The boys are excited though to receive all their toys.  Looks like we're getting our new car next week, a white Renault Dacia.  Manu is so excited having his dream fulfilled of owning a brand new car for the first time in his life.  Feels like we've arrived...............well briefly anyway.

CARS

Well that's it our car has officially died.  So Manu has his dream come true - a new car, all depending on the bank naturally.  A Dacia, is made by Renault and it's a good little car, big boot and comfie.  Renault have a really great service plan.  If you have a problem with your car they give you another one while they fix yours.  And it doesn't come with a spare tyre - have you ever - no if you blow a tyre, you phone them and the nearest dealer sends a repair man with a tyre.  We'll see.

LA LUGE

HALF TERM

So finally kids have a weeks break and we have friends staying with us from Vande - 10 hours north, I've known them for 11 years as David is Manu's school friend except they now come with three children.  Busy but we're all having fun.  So finally it snowed enough to sled and here is the proof.  Too much fun.

SAM'S THE WINNER

Samuel had his cross country with the school on Friday before they broke up for mid term.  Here are some pics.  He won his section too.

MY ARTICHOKE

Forgot to show you my artichoke - hahaha bet you've never heard that one before, O and I learnt how to cook it thanks to My mother in law - 20 min in a pressure cooker, then tear of the leaves, dip into vinaigrette and suck out the flesh, a messy affair but worth it.  Manu says the only dish where you have more on your plate when you finish than when you started.  Too true.

BIG HUGS

Thanks to all you guys who read my blog and send me emails about it, it makes me all fuzzy inside to know you guys are following us, even if adding yourself or making a comment on the actual site is virtually impossible, I really appreciate it.  I had such a down day yesterday, I missed everything South African - Bovril, Pronutro, a decent shopping mall, the beach, the sun, my car, mom, dad and of course you all.  I actually climbed into bed at 2 pm and stayed there until it was time to fetch the kids.  It was -2C which didn't help either. 

So today I took myself off to the market, bought myself the biggest Artichoke you've everseen and I am going to light a fire and make Gluwhein.  Have no idea how to cook an artichoke by the way so it should be interesting. Pics later.  Love you miss you mwaaaahhhhhhh xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

SNOWBALL FIGHT

Our first snow on the ground and we took the boys up to the Altiport in Megeve to play a little.  It wasn't long until they were complaining about the cold.  Still first time they've seen snow and of course what fun.....for now.  Not sure if they'll be signing the same tune in April.  Sun has melted most of it now but it was so beautiful.

IT'S SNOWING

It's October and the snow fell during the night on the mountain behind us.  Really pretty and really funny the way the top is all white and the bottom all green.  I went to a friend, Stephane, (yes I have friends here) yesterday and I asked her what happened to Autumn.  I was expecting everything to turn yellow and red, but she said Autumn and Spring all last about three weeks and then it's long winter and short summer.  Better get used to it.

 So friends here, well there's Stephane and Pascale from Bourgoune - two boys ages 8 and 10 , then Murial from down south who has three children - 8,9 and 11, then Athina - mad and Greek - no children, and that's about it.  It's not quantity though is it it's quality and they are all quality.  I never seem to befriend locals, it was the same in Cape Town with most of my friends originating from outside Cape Town.

Manu working today but the boss leaves at 5pm so home to a nice warm fire and dinner, probably leftovers.  Going to have a good week, fetching our car tomorrow which broke down last weekend on the highway or autoroute as they call it here.  Just a radiator hose, but still not cheap.  Then I'm going to explore our markets this week, one in Megeve and one in Sallanches.  Last week for the boys then a weeks holiday.  They are tiered and they need it.

Taken from the dining room window, too much of a woos to go outside - CCCCOLD

AUTUMN FUN RACE

Autumn my ***, more like arctic winter, 3C and frozen to the bone we merrily watched Benjamin complete his fun race.  Just love my husband for buying me a thermos coffee mug as it came in handy.  The race was so well organised, with the kids having to complete four different things before receiving a little certificate in the shape of a cute hedgehog.  Manu is working this weekend so we're all alone,  I've lit a fire, and we're lazing around watching the rain pour down.  Good excuse for movies ALL DAY LONG. 

TRUTH TIME

So the unveiling of all the mom's hard work and my milk tart.  All a success and so much food.  We all tasted to our hearts content, Tiramisu, cup cakes, sushi, prawn nems, carrot cake, speculous, cheese cakes, and off course the famous South African Milk Tart.  It was great fun and here are a few pics........



SEMAINE DU GOUT

...........or week of the taste directly translated is happening this week in all the schools around France.  So it was off to Samuel's school to make Milk Tart which we will be eating tomorrow if hopefully it's all turned out fine.  Kids loved it and so did we even if I spoke FRANGLAISE.

FALLING LEAVES

Such a beautiful day for a walk, cold but sunny, all the leaves are on their way down and it is like walking in a rainfall of leaves.  The children spent their time throwing leaves at each other in huge bunches, soon it will be snow and not so soft a landing.  For the moment I'm enjoying the crispness of Autumn.

BENJAMIN GETS A BIKE

Taken at the park next to the house.

A WEEKEND IN BOURGOGNE

Well on Saturday it was off to Manu's sister - Fifi in Chagny, Bourgogne to meet Samuel and Benjamin's little cousin - Romain.  Three hours later and we arrived.  A fun weekend, nice and warm and in the heart of wine country. 

Then it was off for an afternoon stroll into Chagny and down the cannel and of course not forgetting the train station for the boys.  Chagny is the only village in Chagny that does not have vineyards running through it.  Lots of social services and the village definately looks old and a little run down.  However, they do have the 3 Michelain star restaurant Lameloise, which is where Fifi's husband, Tilak works.  The who's who of France goes to stay in the hotel and eat the fabulous food which starts at R 450 for a starter.  Needless to say we stayed home and had a delicious roast Pork.



The kids playing in the fountains in Chagny Centre

The next day we hit the market, Chagny is famous for Poulet Bresse - a free range chicken prized for it's tender meat.  Lots of truffles, vanilla, peppers, chickens etc

So what fun we had with little Romain, and Samuel and Benjamin are completely in love with their little cousin..............