Hi. I'm new to blogging. In fact I'm new to just about everything. My name, is, at the moment, Bean but that's going to change in about a month's time, when I'm born, when it will become something like Cressida or Cadwallader depending on what variety I turn out to be. I got the name Bean because I was apparently the size of a haricot bean when Mummy and Daddy first visited the doctor. Mummy can vouch for the fact that I've grown since then. They're ploughing through name books at the moment- one has 10,000 French names in it (did I mention that I live in France?) but have really no idea yet. I think Cadwallader/Cressida is a joke....?
I'm enlisting Grandpa (GP) to help me with my blog until I'm old enough to take over. That will probably be when I become a grumpy teenager and GP becomes a grumpy old man, so this is likely to be the zenith of our blog co-operation.
OK, some background. Mummy (Caroline) met Daddy (Patrice)at Besancon University where they were playing in the orchestra and they got married 4 years ago this week at Lympne Castle where they were joined by a considerable number of friends and family from both sides of La Manche/English Channel. Daddy decided however that he really wanted to produce wine. I don't know what wine tastes like yet because Mummy hasn't had any since I appeared on the scene. I'll let you know. Anyway he gave up his job as an IT consultant and became a student again at Montpellier University where they moved to from Paris. Mummy was an HR Manager down there. After 2 years in Languedoc Roussillon Daddy qualified as an Oeneologist and 9 months ago they moved to Arbois in the Jura (between Dijon and Switzerland). They have now acquired 20,000 vines which are likely to occupy all of the time they don't devote to me, for the next 20 years.
I'll talk you through the stages in wine production over the next few weeks as GP and Grandma, along with Mami and Papi, Mummy, Daddy and lots of friends have spent many hours in the vines over the last few weeks.
Mummy and Daddy, apart from having to decide what to name me, also have to decide what brand name to use for their wines which, most probably, will be sold mainly within the Jura. GP has suggested Ashby Wines with a sub title of "HB Vins du Jura". HB stands for Hughes Beguet, my surname to be, and in French HB is approximately Ash Bay, hence Ashby. Their website is http://www.hughesbeguet.com/ and when Daddy has time they will be seeking suggestions on the website for a name. In the meantime any sensible suggestions welcome patrice@hughesbeguet.com.
I am due to make my appearance on 9 June which is 41 weeks, which is the French calculation. Apparently if Mummy had me in the UK I would be due on 2 June, 40 weeks, so already I'm confused. Apparently we're going to speak English in the house and French outside, but that probably won't worry me for a few months yet. I rather hope I'm a boy and can help Daddy in the vines and take over the Empire, but I suspect that if I'm a girl, I will probably do the same anyway. Fancy having one's life planned out before it's even begun!
GP is uploading a couple of shots of some vines, one with Ashby vines (and Daddy's hut) in the distance and another from a bedroom window. There are some wonderful views of the church next to the house from the local vines (Did I mention the bells-next time) which I will post shortly, probably with some snaps of me, in person. I can't wait to see you.
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