So that last post was all me, me, me. What a selfish human being I am. Neh. Get over it.

On a personal note, I’ve had a very happy year; very happy indeed, in fact. With the final ending of the Late Unpleasantness in March (best use of 24 hours non-stop driving I ever made) Delphine said ‘Yes’ when I proposed marriage to her in our favourite restaurant in Avignon, La Vache à Carreaux. We’re getting married on August 23 next year, you’re all invited. The wedding will be in Sauve, where her parents live, the reception up the road in the function room at the Domaine du Grand Chemin, a winery recommended by Languedoc’s foremost wine expert, Alex.

Shortly before this – three months or so, in fact – we’re expecting our first baby; Vincent if it’s a boy (pronounced the French way, Vahnsonn) or Scarlett (two Ts) if it’s a girl. At the moment, anyway.

All of which means we’re both very happy, apart from the fact that I’m spending a month over Christmas away from home – not an optimal choice but, doing the personal cheffing thing, (a) I have to work when people want me to and (b) I earn as much over Christmas as I’d earn in several months back in the restaurant, so I can spend more time at home in the long run.

There is a chance we’ll be moving away from Avignon in the next few months, although that’s all up in the air at the moment. Certainly it seems that if I want a permanent job as a personal chef such a move will be obligatory. I – we – really don’t want to leave the South of France but choices look limited at the moment; Delphine will be able to take almost a year’s maternity leave from early next year, and up to three if we have a second child, so now would be a good time to go, earn the money, build up the CV and save for a triumphant return to run a B&B restaurant somewhere nearer Montpellier.

Anyway. Merry Christmas to everyone. We had ours last Tuesday – thankyou, darling, for the Homer Simpson beer mug! And to an even happier 2008 – thankyou again, darling, for making my life so great.