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marché de noel

December 21, 2009

village%20under%20snow.jpgLes pauvres marchands. Yesterday, was the marché de noel in my village but at 8.00am a mini blizzard was blowing outside the window. By 10am, there was a thick new layer of snow on the ground. And when I took Biff down to the river it had frozen over (see picture).

The surrounding countryside has been transformed into a winter wonderland by the snow. But it wasn't great for the Christmas market. Not surprisingly, given the treacherous state of the roads, many of the stall holders stayed away. As did most of the customers. So those poor people who did show up stood in the snow and glacial wind all day and from what I hear, takings were very slim.

But at least the local bookshop was busy as people picked up their home made Christmas cakes and took shelter from the icy weather. The other bright spot was the impromptu bar serving vin chaud, set up by Elsa, the proprietor of the organic épicerie. I have nicknamed this the 'hippy corner' of the square, as it is also home to Pascal, the local artist, who had set out brightly painted tables and chairs around the bar. Unfortunately, it was far too cold for anyone to sit on them.

The serial killer meanwhile, ever the opportunist, stood on his hind legs and was about to steal a very expensive cheese from one marchand's table, while my attention was diverted by a neighbour. Fortunately, Jon Wakeman (whom those who have read Tout Sweet will know) was passing by with his local butcher, Jean-Michel, and spotted what my naughty dog was about to do. Otherwise, since the cheese cost €24 for 100g, it could have been a very expensive Sunday.

comments (6)

1. Posted by pierre l on December 21, 2009 2:29 PM

You are going to have to start leaving Biff at home, however lovely he is :-).
I think I need to read Tout Sweet again.
Also, it is great to see all those new blog posts.


2. Posted by mimi pompom on December 21, 2009 5:42 PM

Thanks Pierre. Yes, I agree. Tough love is the way to go with Biff and instead of accompanying me everywhere, and enjoying all kinds of privileges extended by friends and local restaurants, he'll now be staying home alone from time to time.

Mimi x


3. Posted by Patti on December 21, 2009 11:25 PM

Non, non you cannot do that to poor little Biff !
He is at the age when he is throwing his wild oats and testing his boundaries. Or testing yours !
Maybe he is just extra hungry ? What about double portion before you take him out !


4. Posted by mimi pompom on December 22, 2009 6:36 PM

Chere Patti,

it is very kind of you to stick up for Biff. But if he were a human (as opposed to dog) teenager, I fear he would be staying out all night and smoking crack cocaine in his bedroom by now. I don't want to look on indulgently like those liberal parents who let their children run amok while everyone else watches in horror.

Mimi


5. Posted by Jeannie on January 21, 2010 9:22 AM

Are you sure that price is right for the cheese? €240 per kilo sounds a bit steep for rural France!


6. Posted by mimi pompom on January 21, 2010 8:53 PM

Hi Jeannie,

Yes, I'm sure I must have made a mistake. It was probably €24 for that particular chunk

thanks for pointing out the error (though once i did get clobbered for €26 for a tiny slice of saucisson in the local market so some stuff is surprisingly expensive

v best

Mimi


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