We watched the British Legion service from the Royal Albert Hall last night but found the simple ceremony at the village memorial equally moving today.

Despite the rain, people gathered with their umbrellas just before 12.15 and there was a rather more hasty exchange of greetings than usual before one of the deputy mayors began the procedings on time.

First there was a presentation of medals to an 'ancien combattant' and then a letter from a government minister was read out. Two other 'adjoints' proclaimed  the names of those who died, - mort pour la France - a wreathe was laid, we observed a minute's silence and then they played La Marseillaise.

Instead of the usual walk to the cemetary we were invited to the 'vin d'honneur' straight away. No doubt because it was starting to rain heavily.

Was it because the maire himself was away that they brought out whisky as well as champagne? We've never seen alcohol flow quite so freely - though they are always quite generous. Extra bottles were produced from behind the scenes and glasses were refilled liberally.

We explained the custom of wearing of poppies to various people and discovered that some of them wore badges with a 'bleuet' - cornflower - for similar reasons.

We were staggering back home (due in part to knee problems as well as the alcohol) when Pascal and his wife hailed us from their car. They were just returning to their house and they invited us in for 'a verre'.

"Just a small one then" we agreed as CC was cooking lunch and expecting us at 1.30.

Pascal had other ideas. Once we were inside he brought out a huge bottle of whisky and then Florence produced an enormous bowl of nibbles. Not content with that, their son came from the kitchen bearing  a large platter of cold meats.

We met their two daughters as well, and the dog and the cat and then were shown round the house (dating from 1742) which Pascal had renovated from scratch mostly unaided.

It certainly is a little palace. He is justly proud of his work even though I was a bit surprised to hear that he had ripped out the wattle and daub to rebuild the wall and include a fireplace. Nevertheless he had preserved most of the timber frame and the 'Victorian' tiles in the entrance hall and the whole place is tastefully decorated.

We came home an hour late to enjoy CCs Sunday lunch which she had fortunately kept warm in the hostess trolley.

"You're lucky I didn't give it to the cats" she said - half seriously.