We live in a truly incomprehensible universe, it is gigantic beyond anyone’s imagination. And with that, in our absolutely tiny spec of this enormous inconceivable, we are infinitely and incredibly fortunate to have the loves and intimate friends that we have. But in our present space and time, we are in such an incredible state of being under surveillance and observation, that the enormity of our cosmos virtually becomes irrelevant. How can it be so big, and yet we can be within so unfree, so monitored and so non-anonymous? I will miss the relative liberty of the Provence once we return to more urban climes. In the modern world of today, we carry a burden that those who preceded us did not. These are untrustful times in which we are relentlessly watched and scrutinised.  That miasma of oppression is with us virtually all the time – whenever we use our mobile phones, the internet, the bank, our credit cards, etc.

More immediate problems arose when we drove Magda to Draguignan to do some shopping and then, when we wanted to go on to Carrefour, she would not restart in the garage parking lot. Someone finally helped us push her, I got her started, and we drove straight back from there to Petit Claud’s and left her there. And then we were once again without a car. We had at least got home, and that evening Penny took us to dinner at Au Rendez-vous. Despite Renaud’s earlier comments when I was serving him whisky, it was perfectly fine – nothing exceptional but nothing disastrous as well. But we also learned from Renaud that Jim had to be rushed to the hospital in the early pre-dawn hours of the morning. The next day we heard from Joanne that he was doing well but would be kept at the clinic for a week. Without a car, we were unable to visit him. But also without a car, I may have been able to get more work done at home and the desk.

For a Sunday déjeuner, we took Simon and Angie to La Célestine. It was a pleasant time, but I was saddened afterward when we were driving back home and I asked what were they planning on doing if they did sell their house. They replied that they were each going to go their separate ways. When one loves people as a couple, it is painful to see them part from one another. I am utterly blessed in a joyful and perpetually enjoyable partnership and as well through those of most of my friends. We are all different, often radically so, but some of us harmonise those differences into a working and rewarding relationship.

Eventually, Magda was returned to us. The following evening, we drove in her to Micheline and Nicolas and there had a lovely time with them drinking whisky. At first, we could not get past the gate, and none of their phone numbers that I had were working. But Micheline returned home while we were still at the barrier which, as it turns out, is yet to be repaired. Liliane joined us as well, and when we left, Magda once again would not start. Liliane brought us home.

During this over all time slot, we watched one evening Hitchcock’s North By Northwest. Eva Marie Saint looks stunning in the film. I had never seen it, but we both enjoyed the work – now an old-fashioned thriller, but still a thriller and still a classic. For the rest, our wood supply was steadily reaching zero. I was already using the emergency back-up supply. And then finally, after a month if not more, Mr. Pluchôt arrived with three lots. While we were then stacking it, Petit Claud arrived with Melissa.

The next day was the eve of our yule celebrations, and we had decided that it would be the best time to have what turned out to be a ‘pre-yule’ dinner party. Unfortunately, we could not include Penny and Hamish since they were currently in England. Nigel and Rosamund were in South Africa. But Jim was home and was able to come – along with Pascal and Adelaïde, Joanne, Nicolas and Micheline, Liliane and Renaud, David and Marguerite, and Pierre though sans Catherine. In all we were thirteen once again – as we had been for Thanksgiving at Jim and Joanne’s. I followed Françoise’s lamb breast recipe. Joanne brought salmon hors-d’oeuvres and cookies for dessert. Adele had made a lemon meringue pie; Liliane, fruitcake squares. All was delicious. Joanne was in superb form – as was Pascal, and the exchange between both and Micheline was a delight. It became a lovely and fun occasion. By the time Richard and I had cleaned up afterwards, it was 01:30, but we were happy with the party’s success.

The yule report itself is for next time. Happy end of Mercury's retrograde motion!