Advice needed for a solo Christmas meal | Brief letters

EU border closures | Festive dining | Bearded men | Brian Sykes obituary

You report that EU member state France has temporarily closed its border with the UK (Covid chaos disrupts Kent ports as France bans UK freight, 21 December). You also report that its fellow EU member states Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and others have done likewise. One could almost be forgiven for thinking these were sovereign countries in control of their money, laws and borders. A bit like the UK (except for the borders bit, obviously).
Barry Willcox
Kingston, Surrey

Perhaps one of your many Feast contributors could offer some festive advice to those of us who are going to be unexpectedly, and sadly, eating on our own this Christmas.
Alison Burroughes
St Albans, Hertfordshire