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Firstly, we hope that it is not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year and good health for 2008. We made a journey to Alain and Suzanne in the Allier District of the Auvergene Region of France on the 30th December in readiness to celebrate the New Year with them and other French friends. It was the turn of Alain and Suzanne to host the New Years Eve meal, although everyone makes a contribution, and it was our pleasure to participate in the preparations to welcome fellow revellers. We had a delightful evening with tasty food, good wine, excellent company and there was lots of chat, laughter, song and dance. A good welcome for 2008. We stayed with Alain and Suzanne for a few days, a lovely opportunity to catch up properly with news and to have a few visits within the region.

We were back 'chez nous' to do shopping in the market for the Friday morning at Armentieres. The position of the stalls had changed slightly but we found our favourites and discovered some new stalls too. There are times when we feel as if we have had part of our lunch before we arrive back at the boat. Tastings of cheese, saucisson and small pieces of bread with pate add to the atmosphere of the chat and banter of market mornings. It almost feels like a special occasion as we enter into a regular cafe and are given a lovely welcome by the people who work there. It is almost as if we are too comfortable in our setting as time just flies by.

During the month of January there have been a few events. Naturally there have been some everyday things to deal with but we have also had some fun times too. On the 17th Jan. we had a visit from Bernadette who lives near Lille and a long established friend of Suzanne. We had a delightful afternoon together and once again we were privileged to share the history of 'narrowboats' with her and to receive the interest and joy of someone taking great interest in our current way of life. Bernadette brought us gifts representing northern regional foods and so with the help of people around us we learn more about the area where we are moored.

20th Jan. there was a festival, "Galettes des Roies" (Festival of the Kings) for boaters. The 'Gallettes' are a form of pies made with flaky pastry with a centre of apples or apricots or marzipan, just to name a few. The actual date for the celebration is the 6th Jan. which fits in with the religious Christmas story but it has to be said that there are get togethers throughout the month of January. One of the leisure boaters, who also happens to be the President of the local boating association, did a wonderful job organising the event. There were about 40 people in total. We were sitting at a long table and as individuals found little 'trinkets' in the piece of galette, so they received a paper crown to wear on their head. Paul was the third person on our table to find a 'trinket' so we had one queen and two kings sitting amongst us. Harmless fun and a good opportunity to meet with friends and acquaintances.

Towards the end of this month we were awaiting the results of the competition for the Christmas decorations of shop windows and houses. For the first time this year, boats were included in the 'house category'. Briefly it is perhaps worth explaining that the port is part of the district of 'Leo Lagrange'. There are eight districts within the town of Armentieres. Each district had a jury to award 1st to 3rd prizes to commerce and to individuals who had decorated their houses/boats. Leo Lagrange is the only district with a port and seem very proud of that. On a Friday evening, having accepted an invitation to attend the Town Hall to celebrate the events surrounding the competition, we arrived with fellow boaters. The Town Hall was lit with the Christmas lights for the last weekend and it looked very welcoming as we arrived for the occasion. Much to our surprise we received the third prize for the district of Leo Lagrange. A certificate, a hamper with regional products and a kiss on both cheeks for Diane from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor although it was Paul who had really done the work in decorating the boat. Our boating friends were adamant that we merited the prize, magnanimous as ever.

It has been lovely to become more acquainted with people in the port over the winter months and to share boating experiences and ideas about fitting out boats. Sharing ideas and knowledge gained from boating is an important part of the camaraderie of a particular community. We continue to 'pinch ourselves' from time to time to make sure that it is happening There are more things in store for February but that will be news for next month.