The nose has it

Old pal Paul Kendall (aka Ken Poodle), with whom I am working on a sixties documentary, contends that my job is comparatively cushy when compared to, say, that of a bomb disposal officer, but he has no conception of how difficult it can be to maintain focus when surrounded by sea, sunshine, skiing, great food and beautiful scenery. There is a great deal to distract one so I would contend that if one is faced with a ticking bomb, then it would be quite easy to maintain your focus, thus there my case rests. It is clear for all to see that my job is harder.

On the way into Valbonne village, a view of Greoliere Les Neiges

And to emphasise my point, one of today’s photo’s above was taken on Monday morning on my walk into Valbonne. The snow laying in the hills is actually more startling than the picture shows and having heard that the local ski resorts have 30cms of fresh snow, it was almost inevitable that we would jump into the car yesterday morning and cruise up the hill for bit of skiing at Greoliere Les Neiges. Exactly the type of thing I was talking about earlier, distractions constantly testing ones resolve. Sadly I am usually found wanting in the resolve department.

I think it shows a major sense of artistic style now to show the picture from the ski station to counterpoint the picture above looking up towards it, so here we go; David Bailey eat your heart out.

The view from Greoliere Les Neiges down to the Mediterranean, can you see my house? no, nor can I

Even on the chair lifts, work never ceases for me. That bomb disposal expert can probably slope off for a coffee during the defusing process (would that be called a defacation break?), whereas I, in my role as fat controller for Currencies Direct in Cote d’Azur, do not have that luxury, if a client calls and you are on a ski lift, then you take that call in order to help that person with their foreign exchange needs.

I read in the Sunday Times last weekend that they have discovered that dogs may be able to discover cancer by the smell of someone faeces. Apparently the dog in question was 95% correct. This would surely be called a defacation process? I can think of one dog, Banjo, the intellectually challenged dog from hell, who could repay his debt to society, well, me anyway, by contributing something good to mankind, and frankly, spending the rest of his life smelling shit is more than he deserves, mainly because I am certain he would derive a great deal of pleasure from it.

One final note, I have been caught out. The joke about women being unable to multi task, ie, being unable to have sex with a headache was broadcast yesterday on Riviera Radio. That was from where it was lifted and I received a terse email from co breakfast presenter Rob Harrison outing me….It is good to know however, that they read this column in order to keep abreast of current events in Valbonne.

Chris France
Buying a house in France, moving money? http://www.currenciesdirect.net/chrisfrance
Latest local news? http://www.fr2day.com/
Best Estate Agency in Valbonne? http://www.riviera-home-finders.com
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
Rent a private villa in Provence? http://www.cotedazurvillarentals.com
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? http://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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? http://www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? http://www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? http://www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? http://www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Monthly Riviera News? http://www.rivieratimes.com
Local ex pat information resource? http://www.angloinfo.com
Yacht owner? http://www.yachtownersdirect.com/
Website design? http://www.targetcms.com
Free advertising on line? http://www.thebusinesscardclub.com
Want to hire a big bike for a day? http://www.columbus-international.com