Good news from Niort hospital

  I spent a week in Niort hospital after having my illiostomy bag removed and my small intestine reconnected, a much shorter op than the removal of my cancerous rectum. Kim visited every day, which mad her very tired. Aft r a blood test, it was confirmed that no further treatment would be necessary, terrific news!

Christmas at Lille

  As is our habit, we went to visit our friends in the north. However, we broke our journey near Orleans at the gate managed by Laeticia, the Pasteur at Matha. The gite is spacious and luxurious and the dogs are allowed in, although not on the furniture! We take in their car rug so as they can lie down.
  The next morning, we drove on to Wattignies, to Cecile and Patrick's large house. We had hesitated to go, as Cecile was really not well, having lost the hearing in her left ear and suffered from vertigo but Patrick had insisted on our coming, as he was on leave , and Elise and Dimitry were also there to help with the copious meals cooked by Eric. We ate loads of delicious food and must have gained pounds. The Gilets Jaunes didn't hold us up much , about five minutes near Orleans, so we had an uneventful trip, despite rain and fog patches.
  Coming back, we did the trip in one day, arriving back home tired out and went straight to bed. The animals had been cared for by Agnes and Phllipe and seemed pleased to see us back. Settling down to warming the house by stoking up the fire...A smashing way to spend Christmas. I forgot to say we went to early Mass on Christmas Eve at St Lamberts church which we both enjoyed very much.