Newsletter from Plaigne 2012 / 2013

Newsletter from Plaigne, January 2013

I began this letter on New Year’s Eve and it is now 18th January! Christmas crept up on me and before I knew it, it was over and we were in the middle of January. Anyway, I’d like to thank everyone for their gifts, cards and messages. Then I would like to wish you a Happy New Era of love, peace and consciousness…

Have you planned for your dreams? As Henry David Thoreau said: “If you have built castles in the air, your work needn’t be lost; that’s where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” I’m working on that.

2012 has been a powerful year for me in so many ways with the result that I’m going to live life on my terms and to change the world. Some of you may understand me and others may not when I say that. Well, whatever… It is time for me to be me. Let’s see what happens!

Now for a Whistle-stop tour: David and I with the two little ones started the year at Verity’s in Bordeaux. The city was pretty with its lights and winter market.

In February, I went to England on business and pleasure, although that cold spell wasn't pleasurable – just when the white stuff decided to fall in England and at home in France. Thank you to Simon and Kim for putting up with me, as well as Ann and Bert, in London, for not only putting up with me, but their help too, at a time when I was completely out of my comfort zone! It turned out to be a successful trip businesswise and I met a new co-author, with whom I am working on a big writing project.

For our summer break, we first spent some time at Johnny’s, in Pau which is another interesting and pretty city to visit. Verity visited for the weekend. She returned to Bordeaux and we followed her a few days later to finish our holiday there. Of course, we couldn’t go to Pau without going to Biarritz. I had read and heard so much about it. As is their habit, the girls complained about all the walking we were doing, but I can’t go anywhere without exploring! I can’t just sit on a beach. That isn’t my thing. They did get some swimming time in, with David, but the surf was up and little Isabelle couldn’t stand her ground. The waves were washing her across towards the rocks.

In May, Raymonde, Isabelle and I took part in the entertainment at the friendly society’s annual meal. Raymonde and Isabelle opened the evening very sweetly with “The Gift of a Friend”. We all had a lot of fun rehearsing and performing on the night.

In September, I went on a research/business trip. I travelled to Paris on the night train. That was an experience that I could write a comedy sketch about! It was the first time I had travelled on a train in France since we moved here (18 years ago), and it will probably be the last time I ever travel on a night train. The trip from Paris to Saint-Malo, however, was a pleasant one.

I went to Mont Saint-Michel and was “energized” and I sent out love to the planet and beyond along the ley lines. The energy was so strong, but more of that another time. I travelled by ferry from Saint-Malo to Poole, in Dorset, via Jersey and then to Cornwall, where I visited St Michael’s Mount and other energy portals on the St Michael’s ley line. I had some wonderful spiritual experiences on these travels and throughout 2012. People have encouraged me to share them in a book. I will soon,..

I’d like to thank Ann and Bert again for being hospitable and very helpful, at the end of my travels, in London. It was greatly appreciated. I flew home to Toulouse.

As for new steps for other members of the family, Raymonde started at Collège in September. We had to do a special request for her to go to Mazères, and after being turned down and doing an appeal, she was given a place (phew). As many of you know, Benjamin started up his own Ecolave business. For those who don’t know about it, look him up on face ache, sorry, Facebook! On the note of newness, I will stop so that this newsletter gets out for the New Year! Many blessings and much love to you all…

Sarah & co.

Merry Christmas and Newsletter from Plaigne by Sarah Pritchard

Merry Christmas from Sarah Pritchard par Sarah_Pritchard

Christmas 2011 Newsletter from Plaigne

Hello,

I made a little vlog for those of you who are looking at my newsletter online. Thank you for the gifts, cards and greetings. I hope this letter finds you all in good health.

The year seems to have flown by. I’ll give you a brief tour through time from last Christmas to this one.

In March David and Johnathan went to stay with Sue and Ken and did their bathroom for them. I kicked myself later on in the year when I visited Sue and Ken because I forgot to have a look at the bathroom. I guess I was too engrossed in the family history research with Sue.

David and I went to Bordeaux at the end of May. Verity had just completed her work experience in a hotel there. At the same time as collecting Verity I wanted to explore Bordeaux as I hadn’t been there before. The hotel offered free room, breakfast and drinks in the bar for the weekend. It was very close to our 25^th wedding anniversary so that was a lovely treat for us. We enjoyed wonderful weather (I got sunburnt) and Bordeaux is a beautiful city to explore. Here’s a photo I took. I had to wait for the moment the spectrum appeared. I was sure it would, with all that sun and water, and I was not let down.

Later in the year David and Johnathan went to help Nigel in the Alps with some work on the house. Verity, Raymonde, Isabelle and I joined them for the second half of August, along with Deb and Zoe. We had a great time as per usual despite the house being a building site this time. Raymonde and Isabelle always love to see their cousin Zoe. Verity and Johnathan left a day earlier than us and we did a slow journey home, stopping overnight and exploring Montélimar, which is another city well worth discovering.

In September David and I drove to Girona in Spain where I had rented a riverside apartment. We stayed there one night on our own and then the next day we collected Steph and Tom from the airport. The apartment was in the old town; right on the river and we had great views up and down. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. On the return journey David and I visited the Dali Museum and then Collioure, once we got back in France. We like Collioure. We sat on a bench with the old people, looking at the sea and didn’t move til the sun started going down. Then we thought we’d better eat before going home. We had the best pizza I’ve ever eaten, in a restaurant in Argèles. It made an excellent ending to a great long weekend break.

David spent most of October at his mum’s. Raymonde, Isabelle and I flew over and visited for a week, catching up with family and friends, which was rather lovely, and then we visited Ann and Bert’s in London (thank you to Enid, Ann and Bert). Raymonde and Isabelle enjoyed being tourists. The Tower Bridge exhibition was their favourite. We had a bit of an experience on the underground when Isabelle and I got on the train and then turned round to see the train door shut on Raymonde’s fingers, the train starting to move, and David and Raymonde still on the platform. Raymonde pulled her hand out and we eventually met up again at Baker Street.

Everyone was here on Christmas Day and for the New Year celebrations, David, Raymonde, Isabelle and I are going to Bordeaux to spend the long weekend at Verity’s. We’re taking the trailer with some furniture in for her.

We still often have a full house especially at the weekend. I love it when they are all here so that’s fine by me.

Raymonde is still mad about Polly and horses in general. She has made plans for a stable complex and has asked David when he will be finished at the chateau so that he can start on her project! Isabelle is still a fairy and makes lots of fairyland encampments, no matter where she is, indoors or outside.

Demelza is home and works at the clinic and is doing a correspondence course at the same time, to work with small children. In October, she used two weeks of her holidays to do work experience at Belpech School. Raymonde and Isabelle loved having their big sister at school with them. Verity completed her course and was presented with her diploma. We went to the presentation. Demelza came too and confused everyone at first. She had fun telling everyone that she was not Verity. The hotel where Verity did her work experience offered her a contract which she accepted. She has now found an apartment in Bordeaux. She comes to visit when she can and is in contact very often with her twin.

Johnathan decided to upgrade his qualifications. He works for EDF and is also doing a higher apprenticeship and is working towards a professional Bac. He spends some of his time during the week in Bordeaux and some in Pau. At the weekends he is here, along with his washing!

Benjamin is here. He took on a contract with the logistics company where he has worked on and off for the past few years. He travels to Toulouse.

Geoffrey is here or with Alice. He has just completed a course and received an attestation for driving the biggest engine (sounds like Thomas the Tank Engine doesn’t it?) At the moment he is doing the experience part of the training to eventually receive his certificate. This should open up opportunities for him in logistics.

It has been very mild here which pleases me but does not please Raymonde, David and Benjamin who want some snow on the Pyrenees for their skiing and snowboarding.

I have focused on using my writing skills, this year, doing more ghostwriting and I have recently started my own PLR store, but there isn’t much there yet. I am making plans to create the PLR every week of next year to boost up my stock and form a thorough service for my clients. I’m also planning on creating a lot more of my own products. In writing this down I am committing myself.

I will love you and leave you and wish you all the best for the coming year with much success and abundance in every form. Have you made your plans yet? Oh! Don’t forget to find me on Facebook and find my cause, Pritchard family in aid of UNICEF UEP vortex. We did complete a whole vortex this year and I was able to send a cheque to UNICEF, so I would like to say thank you to those of you who participated. Together we make a great difference.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah (& co.)

UBIEE ENVIRO Project, helping you, me, the environment and UNICEF

Newsletter from Plaigne 2010

Plaigne Newsletter December 2010


Another year is coming to an end. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I hope you are well and would like to thank you for the cards, presies and wishes.

At the end of February we visited my Barton family in Solihul. Deb and Nigel were kind enough to welcome us, so that I could visit family and see the area where Daddy was born and continue my family research. It was lovely to see the family and visit historical places in and around Birmingham. The Black Country Musuem and the Back to Backs were very interesting and useful in providing background to my research. Raymonde and Isabelle loved being with their cousin, Zoe too.

We extended our England visit a few days so that we could visit David's father, Dennis as he was unwell. Our unexpected Sittingbourne visit was made easier by Simon and Kim, who put us up after my surprise phonecall.

I've also extended the family research to the Pritchard Family. David couldn't understand my enthusiasm for genealogy so I decided to involve him by researching his family. He soon became very interested in his ancestors!

David returned to England later in the year to do Deb's bathroom and he took the opportunity to visit his parents again. I held the fort here in Plaigne, through tempest and snow storm (and I am not exaggerating ha ha!). We had a rather devastated garden after the freak weather conditions.

In the summer, we stayed at home and visited places that we hadn't explored before and re-visited places that had pleased the first five children and we thought would please the last two. We were correct. Raymonde and Isabelle loved the African Safari at Sigean. We visited the mountains and the wolf park. Two of the wolves wanted to play with Raymonde and Isabelle. That was my treat to go to see the wolves. I love them. I want one!!

The cousins, Emily and Jemma (aka Jemily) came to stay and the girls enjoyed being together. It was a working holiday in the maize fields. I think they enjoyed it despite the hard work, especially as many tears had to be mopped up at the good bye time!

In September, David went back to England again to spend some time with his father and say good bye. Dennis passed on and David stayed til after the funeral. The "boys" went over together and Verity had already gone over and was staying at Simon and Kim's. We have to thank them again for stepping in and helping out. Verity was supposed to be going to London, but that is another story. David and Verity flew home together the day after the boys.

Demelza and Verity finished school this year after both obtaining their Bacs (with very similar results as per usual). Verity started at the same hotellerie school that Benjamin passed through and obtained his diploma. She has just finished two months work experience in Bordeaux. Demelza is working part-time in a clinic and doing a correspondance course at the same time. My babes are all growing up which is really quite frightening at times! However, the two younger ones are keeping us young, especially Isabelle who is a real live wire. We call her Tinkerbell. She tinkers and creates fairy houses and camps (in and outdoors -- we have a tree in our bedroom at the moment full of little fairies and creatures of all sorts!). She even looks like Tinkerbell, especially when the twins give her the Tinkerbell hairdo.

Raymonde and Isabelle sang "Fly to your Heart" from the Tinkerbell film, in the Amicale spectacle in April. Their mother sang "Super Trouper" with her Amicale friends, Suzanne, Adrian and Perman. We had a lot of laughs practising and we got an encore! We have received a request to do another one next year at the spectacle. I must put my thinking cap on.

Raymonde and Isabelle are continuing the Pritchard tradition and both do tennis training. When they are not at school and the weather is fine, Isabelle is found in bushes and trees with the fairies and Raymonde disappears with Polly and Loupio.

I have been doing some private tuition and have registered as an auto-entrepreneur, which is a new regime that started here for people who want to do a little business and pay charges only as you earn. Yes, it was about time they came up with that one!! They say it is simple but it is more complicated with more paperwork than one would think, but I am persevering with it. I registered for the gîte and IM. I haven't really been doing much advertising for the gîte, but we still get enquiries, so that is cool and I can go along with that.

I was asked to do a couple of videos on YouTube. The one you see above (if you are reading the newsletter on the blog) is about the UBIEE ENVIRO Project and the Pritchard Family Vortex in aid of UNICEF. You can see the video by going to YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMFgwFAFiVA

As part of my sharing angel cuddles mission I also set up a cause on FaceBook; if you would like to join the Support the Pritchard Family in aid of UNICEF Cause, you can do so here: http://www.causes.com/causes/510841

I would appreciate your help in supporting our forgotten children in this world. Thank you to those who have already joined the cause and even better, joined the vortex
(http://ubiee.com/enviro/?tag=pritchardinaidofUNICEF).

Now, it is time to wish you a happy new year, many blessings, angel cuddles, love, light and peace.

Sarah xxx

Newsletter from Plaigne, December 2009

Hello one and all.
It’s that time again. It seems to come round so quickly! Hope you are all well. Thank you to those who have sent Xmas greetings and presies. Now for a rapid tour of our year.
In February, we took the four girls to Spain for a week, in Santa Susanna. I had done a late booking offer in a self-catering apartment not far from the beach. The day before we were to go, I received a phone call to say the apartment wasn’t available. They offered us two rooms in a 4 star hotel right on the beach. Bang went our self-catering food budget. The hotel was great. The girls all wanted to stay for another week! We were about 45 km away from Barcelona, so we went there on the train, along the coastline (remembering our last visit to Barcelona with the car). Barcelona is a wonderful city and we visited as much as we could. On the way home at the end of the week, we visited Gerona. Again, the old part of Gerona is beautiful.
April saw David and I meeting up with Steph and Tom in Dublin’s fair city and it really is a fair city. We had a great time and we have photos to prove that it isn’t always raining in Ireland and that the sun does shine sometimes. We had a whole mixture of weather and got wet, warm and cold over the short period we were there. As per usual on our trips, we did much walking and exploring. Like to see as much of the places we visit as poss!
In June, we took Raymonde and Isabelle to England for ten days. We flew from Carcassonne to Bournemouth on the first day that Ryanair were starting that route. The flight cost 1€ each! We stayed with David’s parents, Enid and Dennis (thank you), and visited family and places that we like, such as Broadstairs. I managed to fit in a bit of family research in the cemetery. We went to Ann and Bert’s, in London and stayed for a long weekend. We all enjoyed it very much. Raymonde and Isabelle had done research before we went, looking in books and watching DVDs. Raymonde drew a picture of all the things they wanted to see. We decided that a boat trip on the Thames would be a good plan to cover everything. Tower Bridge was very cooperative for us and they saw it going up and down. Mummy was instructed to take lots of photos as their camera had run out. We spent the last day, which happened to be Raymonde’s birthday, in Bournemouth. Her treat was a visit in the oceanarium. I nearly had a fit when I found both girls with hands in the piranha tank! LOL.
In the summer, it was lovely to have family visitors and meet up with family. Simon and family came, and cousin Deb and family came. The cousins on two levels all enjoyed each other’s company. We actually did an impromptu visit to Deb and Nigel’s in the Alps so that David could help Nigel with the guttering. We had a really active but relaxing time. The weather was very good then and all summer long too.
In September, we did our annual trip to London. We stayed at Ann and Bert’s again (thank you for your kind hospitality and sorry about our departure time!), after a couple of nights at Den and Enid’s (and visiting recuperating Simon after his back op). We visited Buckingham Palace again and the National Gallery and spent a day in Greenwich.
In October, David and I, who were both rather stressed (you will see why later), escaped to Brussels. We did much walking and discovering, eating of Belgian chocs and, of course, I had moules and frites. Brussels is a wonderful city to discover and the Grand Place is delightful.
From the end of August to October, I spent a lot of time at the hospital. Three of our darlings were admitted to hospital, one after the other. Firstly, Isabelle went to children’s emergency. She was rather poorly and very thin. Her umbilical hernia which she’d had since birth, decided to go inside. This caused distress and pain to her insides. Couple that with swollen stomach glands caused by a virus, and you get a child in a lot of pain who can’t eat or drink. A blood anomaly was found at the same time. She’s okay now, although she still has an anomaly with her blood, but this doesn’t seem to bother her.
Next in hospital was Johnathan. He had a very bad car accident. He fell asleep at the wheel and ended up in the middle of a field after rolling over. He was discovered, two hours later, in an unconscious state, by a hunter. The rescue team had to cut him out of the car. He was in intensive care for a while before going to the normal service. His injuries included a fractured skull, shoulder and collar bones, bruised lungs and air trapped in his chest cavity. One of the rescue team phoned me to see how he was and said that he was very lucky to be alive, and it was probably due to him driving a VW, a strong car. After a couple of operations, and recuperation, Jn is fine.
Two days after Jn came out of hospital, Geoffrey went in, in the same service, for a hernia operation. The heavy work he’d been doing had taken its toll. Everyone is now recovered and back to “normal.” Yes, I know; what is normal? LOL.
As for activities, GC is continuing his correspondence course and is doing work experience. Benjamin is at a hotel school and has just returned from a hotel in Bordeaux where he was on marked work experience. He received top marks. Well done! Jn finished his apprenticeship and is a qualified electrician. Well done too! He is taking a year out before continuing with his BAC Pro. He is looking for a big enough enterprise to take him on so that he can continue his studies for the BAC. Demelza and Verity have started their last year of the Bac at the lycée. They have been looking at their options and choices for the future.
David continues with helping people with their renovations and is getting a good reputation for lime washing and tiling. He has found time to make quite a lot of progress in the chateau and Jn has been a great help in there too. We no longer rent out the apartment and he has knocked an entrance through from the rest of the house. As for me, I have been writing a lot and devoting much of my time to world peace solutions and healing the environment. You can see what I am up to on http://angelcuddlepublishing.com and http://6-musketeers-agency.multidomainrotator.com and one of my green blogs is: http://sarahpritchard.wordpress.com There aren’t enough hours in the day especially as I am only on dial-up and everything takes so long to do! We’ve been told that we may get adsl in 2010 so I am ever hopeful, but not holding my breath!
I have created a Peace Dot page on a sub domain, http://peace.angelcuddlepublishing.com and I would like to encourage you to e-sign the FUTURO-Plan world peace petition. You will find the link on that page. It won’t cost you anything but a little time. I will leave you with the link to the UBIEE ENVIRO Project Pritchard Family in Aid of UNICEF vortex which I have set up. I invite you to join us in supporting UNICEF, and at the same time, the environment, yourself and your children. Here is the link: http://ubiee.com/enviro/?tag=pritchardinaidofUNICEF I gave each of the kids a one time contribution in that vortex for Christmas.
If you want to contact me, my Skype ID is: sarahprit
Email: questions@sarahp.earthgreenmail.com
I wish you all a Merry Christmas tide and a Happy New Year, full of abundance in all its forms.
Many blessings,
Sarah

What does Christmas mean to you and the forgotten children

http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/post/907456/WhatdoesChristmasmeantoyouandLesEnfantsOublies/11.aspx

Bonjour and Merry Christmas to one and all.

I have revived this forum thread because it is very relevant to my recent activities.



The Christmas wreath symbolizes true love. Real love never ceases; it is a continuous neverending ring.

One of my missions is to remind people about the forgotten children on our Planet Earth and to help our forgotten children. Spare a thought for them and send them some positive energy. They will feel it, even if they don't know where it has come from.

On this line of thought I would like to bring your attention to UNICEF. This organization does a great deal to help the forgotten children, les enfants oubliés in our world.

I have set up a Pritchard Family UBIEE Vortex in aid of UNICEF. As a Christmas present to my children, I have done a One Time Contribution for each of them in the vortex. This means that I have given them a Christmas gift that will never stop giving, because once you make a one time contribution you stay in the system. UNICEF and the forgotten children will receive this never ending gift too.

If you make a one time contribution to this vortex for yourself or a loved one, you will be helping UNICEF and the forgotten children. At the same time you will be setting up an ongoing residual income for yourself or the person on whose behalf you make the contribution. You may even like to do a contribution on behalf of a charity or for a fundraiser. There are a number of possibilities.

Here is the link for the vortex: http://ubiee.com/enviro/?tag=pritchardinaidofUNICEF

If you would like a full explanation of the UBIEE ENVIRO Project, you can download a copy in pdf format from this link: http://www.sarahswritingdesk.com/uepUNICEF.pdf

Love for each other and our planet goes hand in hand with peace on Earth. May peace prevail on Earth. Please join me in signing the FUTURO-Plan Peace Petition for a better Earth for our children and their children. With world peace, using this formula there will be no forgotten children.

Just click on the scroll at the top of the post and you will be taken to the petition sign up page.


I would also like to draw your attention to my peace page which has been registered in the Peace Dot directory. I set it up on a sub domain on Angel Cuddle Publishing. This is the link:

http://peace.angelcuddlepublishing.com

Thank you for taking the time to have a look.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

Newsletter from Plaigne, December 2008

Entertainment at the banquet, Bunratty Castle

Plaigne Newsletter, December 2008

Hello and I hope this finds you all well. We’re all well, including the 3 cats and Polly and Loupio. Thank you to all who’ve sent cards, letters, emails and presies.

We have projects for our house. We are continuing with the Grange rental (and have bookings for next year already), but the apartment is going to become the main entrance to our house. David has almost completed the new bathroom in there. It’s looking really good. Next step will be to knock through into my cave so that we can get into the apartment without going outside. We’ll then use that bathroom while D does the family bathroom upstairs. So it is ongoing work.

This year, David and I decided to have some adventures and discover a bit of the world we live in. In February, we took the four girls to England. On the way up we stayed in Paris, surprised them by going to EuroDisney and then stayed the night in Paris again.

When we arrived in England we found it cold and misty. As we approached Caister, the freezing mist was very worrying and made us lose our way a little. We rang John and he came to find us. We had a very nice stay with John and Jane. We went to the sea front at Great Yarmouth (which brought back memories for me of our family hol there). John and Jane treated us to chips in the market place and ice creams down by the sea front. Yum Yum! Thanks John and Jane; we enjoyed our little stay in Caister.

Next stage was to drive to D’s parents, leave the car there and take the train to London where we stayed for 3 nights in a hotel. We did a lot of walking and sight seeing and were all exhausted in the evenings!

Next stage was to stay at D’s sister’s in Maidstone. We thank Sue and Ken for their hospitality. Much appreciated. We were able to visit family and take Mum to Broadstairs. It’s a place that D and I have always liked and the girls seem to like it too. Mum treated us to fish and chips so we had our fix. When asked what they liked best about their hol, the twins said that it was seeing the family. They were certainly very happy at D’s parent’s and enjoyed Nanny’s cooking.

In July, I suddenly decided to visit Rome. I offered to take the girls, but the twins told me to just take Daddy and they’d look after the little ones for me. I think they knew that I wasn’t going to Rome to relax. I’d write out an itinerary every evening and then make sure that we did everything on the list. D still managed to go swimming every day. I joined him once. It was very hot in Rome, more than 40°. We went to Italy on a cruise ship from Barcelona. That was a great start to the hol. We stayed one night in a hotel right in Rome. Driving in Rome is rather hazardous. They are mad! Walking across the road is taking your life in your hands. I was limping due to a cricket injury, so I used the zebra crossings. Do they take any notice of them? No, not even with red lights. They even bib you to get off the crossing and out of their way!

The rest of our stay in Rome was in a bungalow in Village Roma. We left the car parked at the bungalow and used the shuttle to the Vaticun every day. We loved Rome and intend to return. We took the cruise ship back to Barcelona again. D didn’t want to get off! That is someone who doesn’t like to travel by water. Ha Ha! It certainly makes us want to go on a longer cruise.

Also in July, we took the girls camping at St Nazaire on the Med. We all had a great, relaxing time. We visited Colioure. We all like it there. At the beginning of September, we took the two little ones back to St Nazaire again. I got a virus in my puter which actually slowly killed it off. GC brought life back to it, but I lost many of your email addresses. I haven’t managed to find them all, so forgive me if I haven’t contacted you.

Later in September, D and I flew to London and took the train to Sittingbourne to stay a few nights with Den and Enid (thank you), and then we returned to London. We went to the theatre twice, to see Mama Mia and The 39 Steps. Buckingham Palace was great, of course. We got in for free which was a bonus. There was a state banquet set up. It was a wonderful sight. I still think the Queen needs to sort some of her net curtains!

In October, D and I went to Bunratty, Ireland. It rained nearly all the time we were there, but it was beautiful, all the same. I took lots of photos with my new camera and a couple of them won in the photo fun competition at Adlandpro. We went to a medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle, one evening and were greeted by the butler, as My Lord and My Lady. I could get very used to that, so you know how to address me from now on!

We plan on exploring more and taking our discoveries further afield as and when we are able (as much as poss).

For Xmas, us females all sang in a concert at Orsans. Ray and Isa joined in with “Away in a Manger.” On 20^th Dec, some of us villagers put on an Xmas meal for friends of Plaigne. We had a Father Christmas for the kids. Chris, who played FC, was almost melted to tears by Isa, who gave him a big cuddle. He had a large lump in his throat and could hardly speak.

On Xmas Eve, at 6 pm, I was asked to lead carol singing in the village, down by the mairie. It was cold but we had mulled wine to warm us up. At 8 pm, we had some friends, Karen and Adrian and their kids here for a meal. All the Pritchards were present (which doesn’t happen very often these days). We had to add an extra table and chairs. It was a lovely evening and we saw in Xmas Day. Xmas Day was spent as a family day and I didn’t go anywhere near my puter (which can’t be said for GC, but he did hold out til 10 pm).

I’m finding it very difficult with only an extra slow dial-up connection, but my Internet business is progressing and Angel Cuddle Publishing is official. I have an office in London and am registered in England. This complicates matters sometimes when I’m filling in electronic forms. I’m living in France, but have a business address in England and the forms can’t always cope with me. Ooooh la la. I’m putting my best foot forward and overcoming all obstacles.

Well, dear people, here’s to an abundant 2009 and beyond for us all, full of love and joy and peace. Please sign our peace petition: http://angelcuddlesforpeace.com

Many blessings and of course, angel cuddles (my signature),

Sarah & co

Ps weather report: 26^th woke up to land covered in white stuff and kids used sledge. 27^th no white stuff anywhere and sun shining, but windy.