So here we are: Christmas Eve.

Nigel and I have been busy going out and about to buy a few special items for our meal tonight and of course, for the Big Day tomorrow. We did our much needed trip to beautiful St Paul de Vence to buy our apricot vinegar and bought two new flavours too: Cassis (Blackcurrent) and Pomme Vert au miel (Green Apple and honey). The joys of these vinegars is due to the fruity pulp contained within; gorgeous. While in St Paul de Vence we also succumbed to another, beautifully-made, Lise Berger Santon. It’s called "Young Woman with child" and seemed (for us) to encapsulate everything that should be Christmas; love, tenderness, family and hope. The delicate features of the young woman, the way her hands are crafted and the tilt of her head just makes it a truly amazing work of art.

Yesterday we drove over to Valbonne to visit its super Christmas market. We go every year, and, much like the magical "Carols from King’s College Chapel" in Cambridge (UK), it marks, for us, the beginning of Christmas and holds a special place in our hearts. There was a lovely festive atmosphere and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The weather was of course perfect: cloudless blue sky and sunny. We strolled along the wide red carpet that winds its way through the main market area, browsing the many stalls and delighting in their products.

We also found Father Christmas too, enjoying a relaxing lunch in the sunshine. By then, we too were starting to feel a little peckish and so we walked slowly back to the car and drove home to fill our tummies.

Today we’re up and about early and have one last "shop" to do. Then we’re home to listen to the enchanting and very moving "Carols from King’s", I’ll light all the candles and our celebration of Christmas will begin.

To one and all, have a very special Christmas.