Pigeon fanciers shock

July 23, 2010

tags: A&M Records, Currencies Direct, Golf in Valbonne, Living In France, Moving To France, Waltham St Lawrence

The journey back south towards civilisation, away from the land of tripe sandwiches, ferreting and, pigeon fancying (yes, in Yorkshire, the keeping of pigeons is called fancying) was a torturous affair.

Personally, I sometimes say “I fancy a pint” or “I fancy a curry”. Never in my recollection have I ever thought “I fancy a pigeon”. I suppose I may have said “I fancy that bird” using the colloquial expression for girl, and if the pigeon fancier were using the expression to refer to one of the white stiletto, corn beef leg brigade that inhabit town centres up north late at night, then I could conceivably accept it, but I believe they mean they fancy pigeons….as they say in those parts “there’s now’t as queer as folk”, queer indeed!

Five hours on the motorway, joining the mass exodus no doubt dashing south to more civilised parts, driving through the now daily squalls and thunderstorms which presage the onset of winter, is not my idea of fun. However I find myself elated nonetheless.

I have Dave Wurr’s fiver stick stuck to my forehead and have the delicious prospect of removing more money from Paul “corkscrew slice” North on the golf course on Monday.

Northy, as he is known, has been too busy to organise the contest so I take charge yesterday and booked a tee time at Chiltern Forest Golf Club. This was for two reasons, firstly Northy hates the course with a passion and secondly as my old club, I know it like the back of my hand. Paul, why not just hand over the money and save yourself the pain and humiliation of losing to me despite your girls handicap?

The world of fridge magnets which he inhabits must be a strange and uncomplicated place. Can you imagine the sales pitch? Err… Its sticks on your fridge, how many do you want?…that’s it! I have a picture I took at Port Isaac Slipway Hotel who used fridge magnets in the shape of small Cornish pasties, which in my opinion are more edible that the real thing.

Fridge magnets shaped as Cornish Pasties. Northy was here

Also joining us on the golf course will be former french ex pat Mark Gurdon (aka Mr Surrey) who also professes to be very busy, despite that fact that he does not appear to have a job. As long as he brings his £10 and hands it over to me in time-honoured fashion, then I care not what he spends all his time not doing.

Last night we repaired to a very agreeable little pub at Waltham St Lawrence where I meet old music biz friend Brian Schofield and beautiful wife Helen, who live, rather aptly, at nearby Crazies Hill.

Brian has a remarkable career in the industry, working with some of the greats such as Herb Alpert who was the A of A and M records, which Brian ran and is one of the most respected record labels ever.

I discover that he is a reader of this column, and, as he had read that I was to be in the area, he suggested meeting for a pint. I think he was hoping to recover some of the advance he made to one of my companies a couple of years ago that is horribly unrecouped.

Once I had disavowed him of that intention by plying him with strong drink he quite forgot, or was reassured by my certainty that it was merely a matter of time before the deal paid off. Crazies Hill – I need say no more.

Chris France

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

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

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