We’re safely back from Belgium, where we celebrated a French-style new year with Marjory and her friends at their place outside Brussels. Aude had a great time, and I spent most of the trip telling everyone that “J’ai un rhume” and that I was avoiding “faire les bises” so as not to spread my germs. It was international diplomacy at its finest.

Marjory and her friends made a superb dinner that left us all stuffed afterwards. We started foie gras and champagne, then moved on to a starter of tabbouleh with fresh grapefruit and prawns, followed by a salade Perigourdine, then filet mignon in a Roquefort sauce, with cheese and dessert afterwards. It was dinner as only the French can do – plenty of good food to satisfy the senses, plenty of over-indulgence to make sure you don’t do it too often.

As midnight approached, we opened more champagne and the party really started. There was dancing… and music… and bed! At least, there was for me – I realise that the French like to party late into the night, but by about 1:30 my bed was calling me. Two cold tablets and I was out for the count!

The following morning we were treated to a guided tour of Brussels – and I use the word “guided” loosely. Marjory was nominally our guide, but we could have been visiting Moscow for all she knows about the city. My GPS let me down and we got an even more detailed tour of town on the way back to the Chunnel, but we made it in the end, despite technology’s best efforts to send me in the wrong direction.

Forget your store-bought foie gras. This came from Laure’s grandmother. Well, not actually from her grandmother — more like from her grandmother’s ducks.

The chefs, hard at work in the kitchen…

Cinderella is sent to do the tidying-up by her evil stepsisters….

…but she emerges minutes later, transformed into a princess.

The girls pose for a photo…

Another photo of the girls (this time Aude’s managed to jump into the frame as well)

These days, everyone wants to offer instant feedback on the photographer’s efforts!

Salade Perigourdine, made with Laure’s grandmother’s ducks…

The New Years Eve table, set for dinner

Champagne and a roaring fire — what else do you need for a good night in?

The whole gang poses for a photo…

Someone misses that they’ve moved at the last minute and not been included in the group photo. (Actually, he features prominently as the blur in the background!)

Marjory gets into the party spirit…

Laure can’t resist joining into the festitivies herself!

Next thing you know, everyone’s dancing…

Not everyone… Some of us know well enough that the safest place to be when dancing breaks out is a little way away, with a glass of champagne in our hands!

It’s midnight, and Marjory pops open the fizz…

Audrey strutts her stuff on the dancefloor!

Marjo pulls a move…

Aude joins in, thinking it’s Disco Fever…

Julie gives a pointer or two to the dancers…

Frank looks on in amazement

Once the beat has you, you just can’t stop…

Despite the best efforts of the freezing fog and the bunglings of British Airways, we managed to make it to the Cote d’Azur without too much trouble. We arrived at the airport about two hours before our flight and were herded into large white tents outside to wait until our flight was called to check-in. About half an hour later, we finally made it into the ticketing hall, which was absolutely swamped with people. Between check-in and security, we arrived at the lounge with just enough time for a quick cup of coffee before our flight.

We arrived in Nice to much nicer weather than we’d left at home – warm with clear, sunny skies. Luckily, it stayed this way for the remainder of our trip. We arrived around lunchtime on Christmas Eve and spent the next 48 hours straight eating.

Aude and her parents on Christmas Eve

Aude smiles for the camera

Aude’s father gets the champagne ready to toast the celebration

Minouche (alive, well, and only a little overweight) practices her hunting skills with her new toy mice

“Open your oysters risk-free!” proclaims this clever device. Please notice the blood splattered all over the side.

Oysters to celebrate Christmas. As Gratiane said in her e-mail letter earlier this week, at this time of year the words “oysters”, “salmon”, and “foie gras” trigger a reflex movement to unbutton the first button on our trousers!

Minouche is very interested in the ornaments.

Aude’s mother shows off her desserts…

Aude’s parents’ house, looking warm and inviting in the sun

Rather a radical change for those of us from cooler places, this is what Christmas looks like in the south of France. Not a flake of snow in sight!

Aude smiles as she remembers what “sun” is…

Even Matthew manages a smile…

All becomes clear. Matthew is smiling because it’s time for more champagne!

Mandatory “couple” shot for my parents.

Aude’s father gets ready to carve the Christmas capon. Poor bastard – first he loses his balls, then ends up on our Christmas table. What a way to go. (NB: I’m talking about the capon, not Aude’s father)

Everyone’s down for a nap after dinner…

An absolutely beautiful evening looking out over the Mediterranean.

My mother sent over a few more pictures that she’d taken at Thanksgiving.

Dasha, Carol and Nick in front of the hotel

Carol and Matthew in Belgium

Carol in front of the hotel

Daisy and Calypso relaxing in the dining room

My parents are on their way home as I write this blog, having spent just over a week here in Canterbury with me. It was a full trip, with sightseeing in the UK, a short day trip to France and Belgium, and lots of time for socialising. It was also the when we broke the news to them about our engagement.

Nick has been working in London for the past few months and Dasha was able to come over to visit him for an extended weekend break. As is the normal custom at my house, we celebrated Thanksgiving on last Saturday of November (because everyone is busy working on Thursday), but this was the first time I’ve had the family around my table for the day. It was really nice, and I managed to get my camera out to snap a few photos of the evening.

Dasha & Nick at my place for Thanksgiving

My father, captivated by one of Aude’s stories. A work of fiction, I’m sure…

My mother notices something on Aude’s finger

Ten bucks says that this photo makes it into the famous “Christmas letter” this year…

I’m glad at least one of us is photogenic!

Sorry, Nick, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. You’re beautiful, too…

Thanksgiving is always a tense time. Those who know me will attest to the fact that I’m a little territorial about my kitchen. Clearly the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree!

A little bit of turkey and stuffing and she’s a docile as a baby…

…although no more accommodating of the camera than any of my other friends. Perhaps she’s related to Marjory in a former life?

My parents took lots more photos of the rest of their trip, and if they send me copies I’ll try to post them here this weekend. But at least a few are up – otherwise you’d think I’d fabricated their entire visit.

A very quick note to wish my friends and family around the world a very happy Thanksgiving. Since Thursday is not a holiday in the UK (for obvious reasons), I have traditionally celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday — and we’ll do the same again this year with my parents, Dasha and Nik. The turkey has been ordered, the shopping is done, all we need to do now is eat!