Wonderful afternoon in Valbonne at the English Book Centre for the launch there of Ted Jones’s new paperback, "The French Riviera: A Literary Guide For Travellers", published by Tauris Parke Paperbacks. From the photo I think you’ll gather there was a fair bit of mirth and merriment even though the Mediterranean sun decided to keep well away as the heavens continued to tease us with rain. But I’m pleased to say there was a constant "va et vient" through Jill’s shop as people came to meet Ted and ask for his autograph, and of course buy his book.

Ted is now channelling his creative juices into another project which he’s keeping under wraps for the moment. Suffice to say that if it’s anything like his first book, it will be a joy to read and very entertaining.

Christmas here is slowly starting to be noticed both in the streets and shops. I’ve yet to sit down and write my Christmas wish list for Santa (by way of gentle hints to Nigel)  but the return of Mrs Bradley would be nice. Sadly, I’ve just signed a petition at our local supermarket against the capture of errant cats that are caught and skinned. These skins are then sent off to Switzerland to be turned into fur coats and hats. To say that I was upset is an understatement. I still hold out hope.

On a happier note, a few days earlier and at the same supermarket I came across a lady selling small packets of wheat. She was hovering just outside the entrance doors with a small dog sitting comfortably on a woolly crochet blanket in her trolley. She sold the packets on behalf of "Les Gamelles du Coeur", (Bowls of the Heart) a non-profit association for the protection of animals in distress. Having bought three packets from her (one in the name of each of my dogs) she told me about the tradition attached to offering people grains of wheat.  It seems that you must place this year’s harvested grains on either a dampened cloth or cotton wool on December 1st. Keeping them moist I should soon see lots of green shoots appearing. If I do, it would be a sign of prosperity in 2008; if I didn’t, well, doom and gloom would be upon me for that year - financially speaking of course.

By way of coincidence, today at Ted’s book signing, I met a lovely lady who runs "Ceremonies of the Heart". While I won’t spill all the beans (or should that be grains???) just yet, I shall be featuring an article written by Revered Anne Naylor in the near future as I think it will find its way to many a person’s heart at this special time of year.