I am in the slow process of losing my parents. Probably going to happen within days of each other, which would be sort of nice. They've been married for 73 years ; I don't like the idea of one lingering on for long. It was traumatic enough for my mother going in to hospital on her own.

18th June. Yes I know, "l'appel du général de Gaulle" but Belgian beer takes precedence 😊

Well that went from 22 and sunny, to black and passion very quickly.

I'm in England on a short visit. Yesterday was the first time I'd ever visited my mother in hospital. With the Reform talk going on over here I'll add my tuppence. Without immigrants, that hospital would not be functioning. From nurses to cleaners almost all of them were 'not white English'.

My Canadian visitors wanted some poppies to photograph. These did the trick. Cambrai side of Vis en Artois.

Tomorrow looks like being a big, media day for Dr Jesus. Pentecost is upon us and, in theory, whatever he comes out with, will be (for one of those rare fleeting moments), intelligible to us all. 😛 😛 😛 There again, Ascension passed by without him doing his thing 🙁

I've had an email from the office of the Governor General of Canada telling me that they've overlooked (or in English, are way behind) to send me my certificate for my MSM. 😁 Yay, something else I can hang on the wall. Actually, probably the most important 😁

À short thread on how I've spent the last four months 😁 Last year I gave my neighbour Victor a bust of a Norman knight at Hastings. This year I went for Edward, the Black Prince, at Crécy in 1346. A metal kit that was going to prove a challenge 😁

Yay! Having looked in the mirror, decided that if I was going for another walk this afternoon I'd better use sun cream. It's sunny out there, and warm.

I've now seen so many cows in fields I think I can say spring is here 😁

Clear as a well this afternoon.

It's sunny

As I was putting a wreath on the 48th Highlanders of Canada Cross at Écurie I got chatting to two German vélo tourists. They were looking for the front line, and found just the right man to explain it, from his own info panels. Sometimes you just fall lucky 😉

That slight breeze is very welcome. After the walk up from the trenches my shirt is soaking 😳 Two more hours and the Canadian ceremony will start at the memorial. This is sunglasses weather 😎

The short ceremony at Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt in honour of those who fell 109 years ago.

Made it to Arras for the ceremony. It's chilly but not the minus 4 we had last year. Going to be a long day by the time the Canadians have finished at Vimy late this afternoon.

Tell me ! What day is it ? Why, it's Wednesday sir. We've survived another taco Tuesday 🌮😁

That has been one fabulous, sunny day. Tomorrow (if we are all still here) is supposed to be the same.

Well there's a first for me. Out on an afternoon dander along my French country lanes and I've just had TWO Rolls Royces whisper passed me. Both French registered.

I've been listening to the new album by Monsta X : Unfold. This one is in English ; possibly aimed more at the general pop market than kpop. However, I smiled listening to the opening song 'Heal'. Seems fit for purpose in 26. "How can we, how can we hear the truth When it's never been spoken"

Here we are, 1st April and the press are dreaming up a headline to fool their readers. A comical jest to ease the day.* Meanwhile, back in the real world, batshit, crazy man will be pouring out headlines, that people hope, are not true. * "He's dead" would be in poor taste. So much disappointment.

Was going to rewatch Sisu 2, but settled on watching Chien 51, instead.

Going for a walk before lunch. Let's see what I think of Arirang. 🚶 🎶 😊

I had a really good day on the Chemin des Dames yesterday. That said, this morning my body is saying that, driving for 2.5 hrs to spend 8 hrs battlefielding, with a 2.5 hr drive home is hard going in your seventies 😊

Out for the day on the Chemin des Dames and the Aisne 1918. With 5 Brits. Haven't been down this way in years. And the last time it was pouring with rain.

St Patrick's day. I've been baking scones for the gang at the pool this evening. I did a chocolate and beer cake last week as I knew some would be missing tonight. I've actually bought some Guinness for me later. Rarely drink it, as there are just too many local beers to be had 🍻😁

There is something worse than confetti for getting everywhere : static grass. 😊

Spooky. Woke up this morning with a tune going around in my head. Couldn't place it at all, though realised it was familiar. Out for a walk, listening to tracks I haven't heard for a while. Second song in. Bingo. That's the tune. Beautiful liar : Monsta X.

Just heard the bad news. SCOTUS has said I've got to stop paying all the tariffs that have been helping line the pockets of Trump and Co. Here's hoping the rest of the world keeps theirs in place 😊

Had on of my conseilleurs municipales round this morning. Did I fancy attending the old folks meal on the 1st.? I have declined every other year and did so again. I have a horror of having to spend a meal with the elderly. Smacks to much of old folks home.

Hmm! Looks like the NEIPA first this evening.

Listening to the Witcher books. In the Swallow's Tower, Geralt (the Witcher in question) is confronted by a Prefect who's quest for law and order is conducted in a brutal manner. Wouldn't a crimeless society be a good thing he asks. The reply is impressive and pertinent. It's also long 😊

Pancake day 🥞😁, but not for me 😕. Going to have to wait until Wednesday evening.

As a gesture of friendship, I think the organisers of the Super Bowl should invite Mark Carney 💪🇨🇦 It's a long way from Ottawa but he's still young enough that he managed Switzerland (which by all accounts is closer to Florida than California.)

Couldn't sleep so I got up, had coffee, and remembered that I hadn't filed my 'recensement 2026'. So that's the census done and out of the way.

I didn't come back from Bénifontaine empty handed. The shop was open. 😁 I really liked the rubber bar mat and the smoky Winter Ale is a limited brew. The woody taste is not too pronounced but I've had to take my time drinking it. Very smooth, but for sipping, not quaffing 😁

Strikes me that if you look at America the way Marvel heroes portray it, then the current White House Administration is less the team that created Captain America and more the scheming, gone rogue, outfit that produced Wolverine. Interestingly Logan finally heads to Canada 🇨🇦😊

Attending the annual Voeux du Maire at Bénifontaine. One of the few that offers beer as well as wine to accompany the sandwiches. Can't imagine why. Perhaps it's the brewery opposite 🍻😁😁

Lego is all done. Removed most of my Discworld pieces to make room. Was time for a change anyway.

In 1245 ND de Paris was finished, well, sort of 😊

Well that was close. The cutting board I bought as a base is indeed just the right size. The foundations of the piece are not large pieces but dozens of interlocking smaller plates. I've not been frightened to move it around.

This has become addictive. Just as much fun as building a tank, but without the worry of having to paint it.

I can only presume that Venezuela isn't in the FIFA World Cup either.

Notre Dame has been started. Great kit. Instructions are very clear (piece by piece in pictures) but you need to concentrate on what goes where.

The La Fière Beers are from the same brewery that makes the Page 24 beers. The winter edition is nicely chocolate, not too strong (I really wasn't fussed on the Chromatique one - too powerful). Rounded and smooth. Only in moderation of course. Let's go for, days with an -i- in them 😁.

Look who got Lego for Christmas 😊

Edward the Black Prince. Having seen John the Blind's tomb in Luxembourg we've almost come full circle to Edward. Crazy to think that the items displayed in the crypt were worn by him, just up the road from where I live.

Well, that was a day. Up to London, then realised we were an hour early, with enough time to walk Whitehall, Downing Street, Horse Guards and out onto Westminster Bridge for midday. Took the photo, and no Victor still couldn't bring himself to smile 😊

It's been a busy day. Down to Canterbury for the day. Visited the cathedral and the tomb of Edward Woodstock. Well we're not from Crécy for nothing. One of the guides gave us the story of Henry II and Beckett. Had to keep stopping him so I could translate for Victor.

Pouring with rain 😕 Good thing I got my ears lowered yesterday. I also took the chance (mainly because there was a sign at the pharmacie I walked past) and had my flu jab. Car washed and it just needs vacuuming. Pack bags and I'll be ready for Kent tomorrow.