ZZ Top’s dad spotted near Valbonne

August 27, 2010

tags: Auberge St Donat, Cote D Azur, Currencies Direct, Ex Pats Golf, Food & wine, Golf in Valbonne, Living In France, Moving To France, Valbonne, ZZ Top

There are times in France when you pop out for a quick drink without much expectation, and suddenly you find yourself in conversation with the locals, and it becomes a memorable evening. Such was last night, having identified that my favourite day-time boys restaurant, the Auberge St Donat, was within walking distance of where we are looking after, the Wolff’s house, and therefore exeat distance from our current open prison in Plascassier, there was no choice but to head on down and see what was offered for dinner.

Pizza looked and was a good bet, especially after a few glasses of Leffe, which seems to have a curious and rather immediate effect on me. It seems the same was true of that nice lady decorator as she was soon in avid conversation with some french locals, who understood barely a word of her English.

Indeed, there are times when I understand very little of her English, but that is a discussion for another day. This however did not deter her as she tends to try to overcome her lack of french by speaking English at a greater and greater volume, and faster and faster pace, than could possibly he understood by the kind old French locals struggling to understand English.

It was however a splendid evening. I was unaware until last might that famous American rock group ZZ Top had any connection with the area, and I have a picture of the father of ZZ Top who happened to be having dinner at the same restaurant, of course, he was there incognito and pretended not to know who ZZ Top were, but we were not fooled, sharp dressed man indeed!

ZZ top's dad - he's the one on the right, in case you hadn't guessed

Although I did not get his name, he told me he had been growing his beard for 40 years, which from the picture would appear to be a serious underestimate. I would have said that if that was the case, he could not have started growing it until he was 60 at least!

Today, after Church at Cafe Latin, we must venture to Mougins School to discuss with headmaster and David Wilkie look-alike, Brian Hickmore the options open to my daughter after her surprise results in the IGCSE’s. My bet with her of 500 euros (thats just over £400 at todays exchange rate) that she would not get 5 C’s has cost me dearly.

Then a quiet day before whatever inevitable onslaught is planned for me this evening. Many of you will be aware that I usually have no executive control in the planning of social occasions, and normally I am the last to know. It is often the case that I discover from my friends that we are visiting them, or they are coming to us for dinner, rather than that nice lady social secretary and decorator. Inevitably I have to be told, otherwise who would pay?

So, as far as I am aware I have nothing planned ahead of Sunday’s golf at the Grande Bastide, and which I am looking forward to. New material for this 600 word a day missive is always handy, and the Landlubbers golf is usually a rich seam.

I receive a few intemperate and (as they were from Yorkshire) largely illiterate comments about Louth. Apparently it is not in Yorkshire, but near Yorkshire. Too near if you ask me, I was also taken to task about my comment about Louth having one h too much. It seems that some Lout residents were offended by this so I apologise. I also apologise for that fact that the spell check did not pick up the typo in Lout.

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