Christmas Eve at the Hilaires!

I have been waiting for John to go with me to buy a Christmas tree. I still have this old fashioned notion that a Christmas tree is to be decorated on Christmas eve and it is a family activity. John baulked at the idea and he said there were no more trees to be had - and he woke up at mid day. So we both decided against having a tree, neither of us knowing how Morpheous would behave towards a bauble covered tree anyhow. We went out for lunch instead and had some nice pasta in the pizzeria down the road from us.
We were invited to the Hilaires for Christmas Eve. The French celebrate Christmas dinner that night. We opened our presents before getting fetched by Lionel. I had some nice smelly bath things from John and Japanese goodies from Naomi, a classical cd from the Churches and a Japanese bowl and candle from Tim.
John did a grand job in getting me up the steep stairs to the Hilaire's flat. Not only were they steep to start with - they were also windy at the end. Luckily they are moving soon! Alex and Geraldine came soon. They all looked resplendent in their Christmas outfits. Christine did us proud - we feasted on big fat gambas (prawns) which she marinated and then I helped her do them "a la plancha". Lionel had opened two dozen oysters and they were delicious. I couldn't really do justice to the salmon mousse or the Christmas buche (log) after that.

Oh yes, I also had a nice surprise in the form of roses for a Christmas greeting.