And what are you doing in this (slightly odd!) time between Christmas and New Year?
Me frantically trying to get ahead on admin as I will be on grandma detail from the morning of the 31st on!
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Sorting out my trip to UK to pick up the keys to our just-bought house in Chichester and working out the practicalities of getting John Lewis beds etc delivered in the week I am there. 
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Yes, the time between Christmas and New Year is very frustrating, here in the Uk other than retail everyone seems to be on holiday.
Finally managed to talk to a real live insurance agent today only to be given a car insurance qoute the size of a mortgage!
Managed to find an on-line qoute that is reasonable so going with that.
Back to France this weekend to sell our car and booked a couple of nights in Lille afterwards before taking the eurostar back to London which will be a first.
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Getting a new varifocal lens implanted in my eye tomorrow at the crack of doom. Hopefully no need for glasses ever again.
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Christmas was ok - I usually feel like it happens to me because it’s always about other people and doing things for them.
In the gap between I’ve been researching and sorting out the possible purchase of a new car, and possibly also sourcing a guitar from China. We visited the Blenheim palace Christmas display this morning (maybe pix later) and also have a grandson to take Lego shopping on Wednesday. Friends to dinner tomorrow night. I also need to start a tax return, and need to get some clearing and sorting done.
If possible, some sleep would be nice too, because I had none last night.
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We had an unusually hectic Christmas and now taking a deep breath before the last of the bratties and family arrive tomorrow.
For anyone that remembers, we got our youngest grandchild a guitar for Christmas and can report, he loved it and the Harley Benton has now left the building 
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I’m just wastin’ away the days, comme d’hab. However, the water dept in Vire is running hot.
Having rec’d the bill for Jan-June '26 on Christmas Day 
I sent them an email yesterday asking about paying monthly. I got a reply same day, asking for bank details. I sent those today and have already rec’d the form to set up the d/d.
As payment for the current bill doesn’t have to be paid before 10/02/26 … ? 
I just wish the dept responsible for clearing landslides was as efficient. A load of rocks fell out of the cliff, a few making it onto the roadway of our lane, 100m past the last house. That was a couple of months ago.
A neighbour who lives beyond the tape they put across the lane took that down, chop-chop. The ‘route barrée’ notice and 
have gone awol. All that remains are the plastic bollards round the rocks.
Got bored, came back to work 
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We live in France for nine months and spend three months in Spain over winter. Our car died today (very new). What a palaver. Speaking in French, sort of, initially and then the Spanish mechanic ringing! El car es knackado……it wasn’t easy!!
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Hi Gilly2, sorry for your car problem. Not a good time of year to need a mechanic 
. Hopefully it will be a simple problem, and with a bit of luck covered by guarantee ?
Noted your two other slightly waspish posts…. Guessing with car and everything you’ve had a stressful day
Happy New Year.
That sounds dire! Sending you fingers crossed vibes! X
I choose the varifocal lenses at my cataract surgery.
Best thing ever. No more glasses for reading, driving has benome a joy again.
And much cheaper in the long run. Lenses were 500€ each… new glasses every other year? No more!
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First bionic eye fitted to go with my bionic ears. Surgery was a doddle, the staff were terrific but the paperwork was a nightmare. Waiting to see if it all pans out (pun intended 
)
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Yep - I looked like this too. Follow the surgeons orders and all should be good. I had my second Eye done a month later. Now - almost 2 years on its still perfect eyesight.
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Thanks for your comment. It is very reassuring because I am only at day 1
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Wishing you a speedy recovery! 
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I agree with @Bettina - I had one week between the two operations and the whole process was totally painless. Follow what your surgeon tells you about eye drops etc. - don’t cut the treatment length short. And 18 months later, I still have perfect eyesight. So hope it’s good for you too Mik.
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Pretty non-eventful. Went out for a walk on Christmas morning. Did some litter picking as a Christmas present for Mother Nature.
Farther Christmas no longer visits me… wondering what it is I’ve done wrong to have been on the naughty list for the past 35 years
I don’t find the period between Christmas and New Year weird as I’ve always had jobs where I’ve worked as normal.
Same now, I’m working my normal hours.
I do, however, reflect on the year and think about the things I’m looking forward to next year.
All in all, a pleasant end to 2025.
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4 years on and mine are brilliant, even better when the bug eyes come off
