Aliens forget to remove anal probe

Fete de la musique is quite a new phenomenon in France and although rather surprisingly nothing seemed to be happening in Valbonne. It takes place annually on 21st June, the longest day and people are encouraged to stage any kind of musical event, pretty much anywhere. Normally Valbonne is the first to get in on the act, they seem happy to celebrate even the most obscure saint, I bet they even have a festival for the saint of festivals ( St Fester?),  but there was plenty happening in nearby Mouans Sartoux last night.

Mouans Sartoux has a more authentic French feel than Valbonne, but of course that means they get some things wrong, whilst some aspects of that peculiar gallic charm are welcome, some such as surly service are not.

For me in the gallic charm “plus” column is hearing french singers trying to sing in English. This brings a new comedic dimension to “Stairway To Heaven” for instance, which I heard from one of the scores of bands playing during the evening. I then began to think of what would be the funniest english lyric sung in french,  maybe something by The Pogues?  but then I had it; what I would have liked to hear in the same style would be the 7th best lyric of all time (according to a BBC poll in 2000) John Otway’s beautifully crafted “Beware Of The Flowers Cause I’m Sure They’re Going To Get You, Yeah” French style, now that would have been funny!  One band in the château area, whose name I did not get suffered from their drummer clearly having more than his fair share of Columbian marching powder or something similar, talk about meandering to a different drummer, he was all fills and no rhythm….

The town was buzzing until well after midnight with the shows around the beautifully lit old château being the most attractive.  Dinner in the old château square was very good despite the aforementioned lack of gallic charm from our waiter, perhaps the aliens had forgotten to remove his anal probe?  anyway,  the cabillaud was particularly good.  Whilst dining we were entertained by accordion music which in these circumstances alone I find quite charming but in normal life I would throw something at the radio.

Accordion Music gets the local dancing in Mouans Sartoux old square

Today, nothing in the diary so respite for the liver?, one would hope so, but things in Valbonne don’t always turn out as you plan, and talking of planning there is a fairly full schedule before I leave for dank and dismal UK on 3rd July where I shall be forced to stay, touring around looking for good weather, until at least 26th.

Thursday to the excellent Lou Fassum in Plascassier with an old school chum, Friday to Hotel Aston in Nice for the Riviera Business Club party on the rooftop garden, and Saturday to the Mougins School Fair for the event postponed from last Saturday.  Thankfully we have our normal lovely sunny weather back, so I shall be opening the bar at 4pm sharp and expect a good turnout, do not be late!

Golf with Dave the fade and the landlubbers on Sunday at Opio Valbonne where doubtless I will be once again vanquishing the field, some days you’re the dog, others the fire hydrant..

Chris France

buying a house in France, moving money? www.currenciesdirect.net/chrisfrance

Latest local news? http://www.fr2day.com/

Best Estate Agency in Valbonne? http://www.rivierarealty.net/

Best French Riviera Property Agent?  

http://www.afa-international.com/

http://frenchriviera-properties.com/

rent my house in summer? http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p412514

Best on line resource in Valbonne? http://www.valbonneonline.com/

Secret supper club http://www.red-radish.com/

Wedding reception? http://www.bastidestmathieu.com/

Valbonne Tourist Office http://www.tourisme-valbonne.com

Top quality interior designer? http://www.marineguigue.com/

John Otway’s New  Book? www.johnotway.com

Modular portable exhibition system? http://www.creative-village.co.uk/web_ads/bigger_picture.html

Living France, Le Blog   http://livinginfrance.mon-coach-langues.com