Yesterday’s blog post was deliberately delayed to give Abi and Tom time to ring grandparents and message other family and friends about their exciting news. It means this post is being recorded after midnight (Merry Christmas!), so I apologise in advance for any typos as I am in bed in the dark and sans spectacles!

I have enjoyed revisiting my high school French today. We had a relaxed start to the day and headed in to the Bordeaux Christmas markets just after 11am. I could communicate with stall holders to some extent. I can also announce where the exit is/say please and thankyou etc/tell everyone that some shops are closed on Saturday and only open by appointment, but I suspect they are not as impressed as my parents would be!

Belle had the excellent idea to do Secret Santa and provided us with a website that randomly generated a gift recipient for each of us. We arrived at the market and decided everyone had 1.5 hours to explore and get their lunch, and buy a gift to the value of 25 euros.

By the regrouping time of 2.30pm, everyone had achieved their goal. We then explored the city centre before heading back. Bordeaux is such a pretty place, and very photogenic. We wandered through beautiful streets set up with Christmas lights that will look wonderful lit up, and we also visited the Bordeaux Cathedral before leaving.

Once back at the chateau we returned to our stations of Beck and I in the laundry, Ross and Luke organising dinner, and the kids spending time together. They did enjoy wrapping their Secret Santa gifts, which are now under the tree ready for tomorrow.

Poor Belle, after all her efforts, started to not feel the best as we explored the town. I got her to eat a small dinner when we got home but soon after she was shaking with cold even though her head was very warm. I sent her to bed with Panadol, and am hoping after all her efforts today she will be ok to celebrate tomorrow. Unbeknownst to most of the others, she has carried in her suitcase all the way from Australia a small present from us to them to be handed out tomorrow as well, a present she designed and is looking forward to finally revealing.