It seems to be a custom round here to 'faire les voeux' - in other words,wish one another a Happy New Year - and make an evening of it.

My neighbour announced that she and her husband would be coming round at about seven, and remembering last year, we put champagne in the fridge, CC made mince pies and Jay went shopping for blinis, cream cheese and smoked trout. I did toasted slices of baquette topped with foie gras.

When they arrived everyone greeted each other with four kisses - or a handshake for two men - then Bear hid behind a book and Whale came through to try out his French. The youngsters escaped to the kitchen to 'do the catering' and left me to make most of the conversation. After a couple of glasses of champagne we all relaxed a bit but, I must say, none of us was sorry when they got up and took their leave just before nine o'clock.

But it wasn't all over. Last week another neighbour telephoned to say he would like to come round on Saturday with his wife. It was very difficult to say no but this 'self-invitation' was met with sighs of dismay all round. CC refused to make more mince-pies, Jay did the shopping but announced he would stay in his room and Bear was not at all pleased.

I misheard the time of arrival and  expected them at 7.30 but they turned up at 6.30! CC took over the nibbles, I got out the champagne, Jay found some whisky for Pascal and then disappeared upstairs. The Whale took to his bed claiming a sore behind and Bear produced a newspaper.

It seemed that Florence never ate anything in the evening (that accounts for her slim figure) and so we didn't even use the blinis. After a fair amount of whisky, Pascal became quite vociferous and political and seemed to be very much in favour of Le Pen for President. CC and I were pretty horrified but didn't get involved in a debate.

Thankfully, Florence was sober enough to steer her husband in the direction of home by 8 o'clock.

We are all crossing our fingers that it's too late for any more visits of that nature now that we're more than half way through January.