Armagnac

So after a not too early nights sleep, we all four emerged for breakfast. Today we needed to get over to Demu to finish setting up for the evenings party.
We left Castelnavet at about 11am and drove over to Demu.
First thing to be done were balloons . . . and I mean balloons. Kate produced two packets that were full of them, that needed blowing up. Some had glitter and reflective pieces in. These however were a little less robust than the others and it wasn’t long before one or two had popped and the contents strewn around the kitchen.
The next hour or so was taken up with the balloons, napkin folding, fire lighting, collecting additional logs, candles in jars and opening and re-corking wine and fizz bottles for ease of use in the evening. Also required was a team effort to gather mistletoe from a tree and getting this tied and hung around the house. We were joined fairly early on by Pascal and Christian and a few others to help with everything.
Craig and Kate had also told us before we arrived that the evening was to be fancy dress, Tre and I obviously had nothing with us having travelled light to France in September. Kate had told us she had dug some ideas out for us back at Castelnavet, which was a little scary as I suspected Craig had found me a pair of budgie smugglers and some swimming arm bands . . . or similar!
We returned to castelnavet arriving about 4pm.
Tre and I tried on our located fancy dress options which weren’t as bad as I had suspected. A Father Christmas gig for me, which suited my slightly rotund waistline and beard, Tre a cowgirl outfit, which she was well pleased with.
Showers were next, with Craig and Kate then also prepping some additional canapés to take over.
At about 7.30pm we hopped in the car with quite a few bits and pieces and the canapés and headed back over to Demu.
Guests had been asked to arrive around 9pm for a sit down three course meal prepared by one of the group - Joele, who to his immense credit had taken on the task of cooking for 24, a three course meal - having never cooked for a group like this before!!!
Christian and Pascal arrived shortly after our arrival and we all finished off the last bits and pieces for the evening.
At 9pm the other guests started to arrive with some brilliant fancy dress attempts.
Soon the wine was flowing and the room was a complete hubbub of chatting and laughter.
It seemed not long after that we were all seated and the first course arrived. Time had slipped as we were still enjoying the first course as midnight arrived.
Champagne now flowing we saw New Year in with laughter, hugs and kisses.
The night continued with another two brilliant dishes from Joele, music and dancing - lots of wine and even more champagne. My French improved - or at least it seemed it had in my slightly squiffy mind. Tre was in full flow, her French now relaxed was really impressive, at times I had no idea of the conversation I was nodding and laughing along to.
Slowly during the early hours the guests started to thin out and at about 4am it was only the hardcore that remained.
We started the clear up and some washing and drying up I. An effort to make tomorrow (today) an easier clear up.
By the time we left the vast amount had been done and we rolled back into Castelnavet just before 6am, where without and delay we all hurried for our beds.
A brilliant, brilliant night - lovely guests and a stunning meal. A fantastic way for Teresa and I to celebrate our very first New Year in France.
Here’s to many more!!Read more