French train timetable authors Yarn spinners?

August 8, 2010

tags: Currencies Direct, fr2day, Living In France

The Wing Commander is appalled that his time keeping is in question. Perhaps it is just the rest of us that are early? Today rather busier than normal due to the organisation required to ensure that the 60th Birthday golf tournament is a success. Of course as organiser, I shall expect to win, and therein will be an indication of if I judge the event a success, but I may have to slow up and take a dive so that “birthday boy” can have a happy day, as per my instructions from the very sensuous but steely eyed spouse of the subject of our celebrations.

I do so like the french train timetables. There is was, in black and white, a train from Cannes to Biot at 12.19am . I was contemplating a nice run along the coast of the Med in air-conditioned comfort for some 2.70 euros but, in time-honoured fashion, the last train was not even on the display, not cancelled, not late, just…not there. Clearly a figment of the imagination of the printers of the french railway timetables. A taxi was eventually secured, not air-conditioned, and driven by an evil-smelling, coughing French man, who spent at least of half of the journey trying to remove the grenouille from his larynx.

His generosity could not be questioned however, as he demanded a mere 39 euros for a 4 mile ride in phlegm splattered hell with that nice lady decorator using her pashmina as a face mask.

It reminds me of an acquaintance some 30 years ago or more who worked for Yellow Pages. He had bought a car from a garage called Adams Garage in Aylesbury. Said vehicle had been an absolute dog, but Adams Garage refused point-blank to honour their guarantee, so Adams Garage eventually found themselves listed in Yellow Pages for a full year under the heading “Yarn Spinners”.

Cannes at midnight before the nasally challenged journey home

I believe that this acquaintance joined the ranks of the unemployed fairly shortly afterwards. My son is in a similar position at present, having been in gainful employment as a gardener when we left for the summer, but the discovery of him, by the clients employing him and his friend, re-enacting a scene from Star Wars, impersonating Jedi Knights with lawn rakes, enforced a surprise change in his employment status.

Our camping phase is nearing an end, just a couple of days more of camping it up. Frankly another night of karaoke with the great unwashed of Warsaw and Brittany may be a treat too much. This has been camping more than glamping, and could not even have been contemplated in cold and wet England where I must venture again on Tuesday.

I meet Lin Wolff of The English Book Centre in Valbonne, who, upon hearing that I am about to depart for Yorkshire says “but after all you have said about it? Are you sure?”

Sure? Of course I am sure, salt of the earth those Yorkshire folk, always happy to take a joke and laugh at themselves, particularly if one buys them drinks. I suspect it will not be a cheap trip. At least a barrell of beer will cost less than a 4 bmile taxi ride!

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