January stuff

January is such a long month!  While it only has 31 days, they seem to last longer than any other days in the year, but as we drift towards the end of the month, there is a hint of  improvement as slightly longer afternoons become evident if the day isn't totally cloudy.  The harbingers of spring are putting their heads above ground too, as bulbs start to do their thing, and our small clump of snowdrops in the garden put on their annual show.

Over in the country, the first signs of the narcissus fest are also starting to show in the Meadow, with leaves for the less showy daffodils coming up around the edges.

Other plants too are obvious at this time, including the lichen that cover any surface they can get a toe-hold on it seems - trees, plastic seats, gates, fence posts - all seem to be suitable hosts for this rather mysterious plant.

The week started with the annual ceremony of good wishes from the local mayors.  As there will be local elections in March, they can only look backwards at the achievements of the year and of the mandate, as anything that happens later in 2026 could be someone else's project.  For us, it was a slightly sad event, as our village mayor (as opposed to the mayor of Bauge en Anjou) is standing down at the elections.  She has been a good mayor, very understanding and supportive, and not afraid to get her hands dirty on the food line with the Comité des Fetes.  However the work of a mayor in France is varied and challenging and I can understand the desire for a quiet life after (I think) 14 years in the role.

We have spent the week with two recurrent themes.  It has been Truffle Week for us, as 100g of the black gold arrived last Saturday.  Some has been steeped in sunflower oil for a week to provide home made truffle oil, some has been inserted into a mild cheese to create our own truffled cheese, and much of it has been eaten in the usual scrambled eggs, cream sauces and risottos.  We have one day left and then we wait another 12 months.  The photo is leek and mushroom risotto with monkfish and truffle - very tasty.

We have also enjoyed watching as our neighbours had their roof replaced, or at any rate the side of the roof that looks towards our house.  There was much jollity at the Ceremony of Voeux last week as all slates had been removed and all that protected them was a tarpaulin, but from Monday, the roofers were on the job, putting up new timbers to support rather heavier slates than those that were taken off.

Then the insulating membranes were fixed in place with battens.

Before a happy day of putting on the new slates - this is half finished at lunchtime, as when it was all done, apart from being shinier and blacker than before, you wouldn't know the difference from the outside.

From Monday, the roofers will do the other side of the house, which we won't get to see.  The neighbours are very happy with the work.

Friday night was the Comité des Fetes AGM, with the volunteers' dinner afterwards - another of those lovely village events that leave you somewhat fuzzy the day after.  This week will be quieter - perhaps I can get some tidying up done, and find the material for the "new" living room curtains.  I know I saw it when we moved in over 20 years ago...

Have a good week!