Green Dragon, blue tiara
So we left The Green Dragon at Wymondham. It looked so good from the outside, but inside the lovely old pubs bar was far too brightly lit and the rooms built on at the back in the worst 1960’s style one can imagine, it put me in mind of Wormwood Scrubs, not that I have ever been there you understand, but what I imagined it to be like.
Security bars on the only small window, horrid weak central light under an appalling 1950’s lamp shade, no bed side lamp (apparently that was a treat reserved only for the deluxe room, but I think deluxe is a concept with which they might be struggling), a shower that would not get hot, a toilet that was almost impossible to sit on. I liked it but alas she did not.
I spent some time in the bar reminding her that her mother when faced with adversity would tell her children, “it’s not quite what we expected but we are going to make the best of it.”I made her repeat it time after time, and I thought she had it, but as soon as she set foot back in the place, I could see the unmistakable signs that the blue touch paper had been lit, and Green Dragon lady, with the emphasis on dragon was born.
So in the morning that nice lady decorator sneaked out past the guards and the machine gun towers and found a nice hotel a couple of doors away called The Abbey. When we packed up and escaped, by leaving through a fire escape and got the new hotel, the receptionist greeted the in house decorator thus “ahh, Green Dragon lady” which made me wonder how long he had known here, before the penny dropped.
The scudding clouds should have warned me, wind. I do not do wind, well, not when playing golf. I am of course well known for flatulence, and that is far more welcoming a wind than wind on a golf course. It makes the damn game so much more difficult, and Charles, my opponent who had home advantage, took full cynical advantage of my known dislike of wind to ensure we played on the windiest course possible.
It was callous and calculating but and in the end I was overcome by the elements and had to witness a rather old man make a fool of himself by sticking his winnings of £10 on his forehead with pride, London Pride that is, yes I have found the worlds best beer is available at The Feathers at Wymondham. Anyway, I had planned to lose, after all, how could one beat a man on his wifes’ 50th birthday, it would have been rude.
Last night was the reason we were here, a black tie 50th birthday celebration for Lizzy Baylay (as opposed to Bailey – see yesterday) at Kimberley House, my good self resplendent in my kilt. Rather naively I thought I might be the only guy wearing a skirt, but of 100 guests, half of then women, I spotted 5 kilts. They are so common nowadays, I think it is time for it to go.
Earlier I had happened to visit her house on the way to golf and had the good fortune to find her trying on outfits for the evening. One particular look caught me eye and was also caught on my camera.
Love the blue tiara
It was a tremendous bash, with great food and great music. Except for that song by those geeky Scots The Proclaimers, I know that they walked five hundred miles somewhere or other. I just wish they had kept walking instead of coming back, which they seem to do at every party I go to that involves dancing. How long can it be before they are extolling the virtues of spec savers?
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Pretty In Pink
I note this morning that Riviera Radio, whose music policy has improved from diabolical to just poor in the last few weeks, was asking for request for songs relating the Chile mine rescue. I suggested that anything by Gary Glitter would be good as he was so keen on minors, but settled for “All Or Nothing” by The Small Faces. After all, one does not want to request any one does not have a financial interest in.
To Cafe Latin yesterday to keep the wheels of Currencies Direct commerce turning. This time to meet some bankers working with ABN Amro, one of whom is known as PC Tart. This stands for Peeter Christopher d’Hart, but only a Dutchman could have abbreviate it thus!. Of course the real reason was to see what Neil (I’m free) Humphries was wearing, as it will set the tone for the coming weekend, darlings. Not that I will be here, but in Norfolk freezing to death on some god forsaken golf course. Sadly but perhaps understandably given his earlier treatment in this column he was a little camera shy.
He was very huffy about me trying to take his photo, but I can reveal that it was pink cashmere as I had predicted. And as if to underline the power that he has in the local sartorial stakes, take a look at this photo that I took later in the day.
Anyone remember the Phsycadelic Furs song "Pretty In Pink"?
At the airport, I came across Wayne Brown from FR2day who happened to be getting he same flight back to the UK. He had clearly been impressed by the haut couture lead given by Mr Humphries earlier at Cafe Latin. Personally I think pink suits him!
Wayne has a new Iphone with which he is struggling to come to terms with. In fact his Facebook page yesterday had his status as I Phone and London Underground, good job I know how to use 1 of them!
Then into the darkening gloom of a Norfolk evening to The Green Dragon at Wymondham pronounced Windham by the locals to what looked to a be a fantastic old pub on the outside. But that was it, a great looking building on the outside, too bright and ill kept on the inside and the rooms in a hideous dorm of a building with a view over a rubbish dump, cold damp and no bed side light. I am back in England!
After an uncomfortable night until rather disgusting duvets, crap pillows and rubber sheeting under the real sheets, that nice lady decorator has, as i write this at 9am, gone in search of alternative accommodation for the next two nights. I do hope she is successful!
Golf at Barnum Downs later this morning will doubtless se me returning to wherever she has chosen for us to stay with a £10 note stuck to my forehead, and a hangdog expression from my golfing partner Charles Baylay. Not Bailey you notice, no hat would be far too common for him!
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Gary Glitter to help Chile minors?
As I skipped around the Valmasque forest in my shorts yesterday morning in the sunshine, It was impossible to imagine the change that will occur in a few short hours today when I will fly to Stansted this afternoon. My picture today was taken yesterday morning.
The Valmasque forest, bathing in the sunshine
Will the plane be fitted with skis? Or can a passenger jet land on tundra? All I have to look forward to is seeing and of course photographing what Mr Humphreys (he’s free) will be wearing this morning at Cafe Latin. My bet is for something pink and cashmere, but we shall see.
I hear from famous local estate agent Cubby Wolf from Riviera Realty in Valbonne, my worst Currencies Direct affiliate, providing us with exactly no customers in his one year since his forced affiliation. We are invited to dinner at his house up in the hills on Saturday but commuting from Stansted is not an option. I have a sneaking suspicion that the invitation was issued in the full knowledge that we are in UK, which I can say without offending him mainly because he does not read this column.
Having stayed teetotal all week (with only very minor aberrations) in readiness for my cholesterol test, I last night searched for the blood test prescription for the test ordered by Dr Patrick. This was the only reason I had been teetotal, but it was only at 10.30pm last might I realised I had mislaid it, so cannot have the test. Three long days of suffering for nothing! In truth the prescription was issued in June, but I just haven’t quite gotten around to it, what with social occasions crowding details like little medical tests out. Now I will have to identify another 3 days where we are doing nothing in order to have another go. Sometime in February perhaps?
Yesterday afternoon to Cannes in the car, the trains being affected by the on going French pass time of strikes, but with the hood down cruising along the Croisette, I once again took to my heart that life could be worse than this. I could be a Chilean minor with only Gary Glitter ready with a big elliptical object ready to save me.
The meeting was successful and Cannes Property Office have now joined the growing throng of missionary affiliates ready to keep spreading the word that is Currencies Direct. How very wise of them.
I hear that the first snow of winter has fallen in the Southern Alps, which is earlier than usual and I hope bodes well for the forthcoming season. I consider myself a decent skier, on the mould of Killy, but my son (who is a brilliant skier) thinks of me more in terms of Eddie the Eagle. I am hurt but am prepared to concede that the moustache is similar.
The cricket fans amongst you will like me be delighted to see The Australians being humiliated by India in the past few days. That means they have lost their last 3 Test Matches. I still hear Australian commentators suggesting a 5- 0 whitewash this winter, but I don’t think we will win all the tests.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
House or apartment in Cannes? www.cannespropertyoffice.com
Norfolk tundra in the drizzle, coming soon
I have belatedly discovered that I have stupidly accepted an invitation to play golf in Norfolk this weekend. Not that I had any choice in the matter, the invitation was accepted for me by that nice last decorator without prior consultation. The reason for our trip is to celebrate a 50th birthday black tie event for fellow Castelnou holiday home owners Charley and Lizzy Baylay, well Lizzy anyway.
Castelnou is a beautiful perched village in Rousillion in the foothills of the Pyrenees which was our escape from the evil summer weather in England before we decided we had seen enough and moved to France permanently, whereupon it was sold. The last time I went to Norfolk was to take a photo for the album cover of one of our UK rap artists M C Duke. Because the whole rap thing was and still is so USA orientated we thought it would be funny to go quintessentially English….
M C Duke in attired by Daks English gentleman's outfitters
I had assumed the event might be at Balmoral or something similar, and have set out my kilt with all its accoutrements before discovering that the event is to be staged in the wilds of Norfolk, and I am to be surrounded by Broads, Norfolk Broads that is, whilst wearing a skirt.
What other type of Broads are there you may ask. In any event the invitation to the dinner and the golf was accepted by that nice lady decorator without me being consulted as is the norm. I am not saying I am not looking forward to it, but if one has toothache, I suppose one looks forward to a visit to the dentist to ease the pain. Taking this rather ridiculous analogy further, then English beer will be my mouthwash.
This is a bit disingenuous. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends, and drinking some proper beer, I think Adnams Southwold would be the most local brew I know, but as aficionados of this column will know, it is the weather that I shall not be enjoying.
When I moved to France over 6 years ago, I threw away my golfing wet weather gear, considering that with 320 sunny days on average each year then I would refuse to play if it was raining. The forecast for Saturday where we are going is for 8 degrees and drizzle. So, instead of playing golf at the weekend in shorts in 23 degrees on the very agreeable slopes of St Donat which would have been my choice should I have been allowed such a thing, I shall instead by playing on rain-soaked tundra with temperatures barely above freezing with the easterly wind whipping across the Broads.
The only solace which I have been thinking about as I lay out my thermal underwear, woolly hat, heated gloves and hip flask, is the joy of taking £10 from Charles who hates losing as much as I do.
Today, a late afternoon meeting in Cannes, signing up another lucky affiliate for Currencies Direct, will allow an opportunity to enjoy a sun downer on the beach in the sunshine, and to contemplate the full horror of the weekend weather that awaits me.
As we are leaving on Friday afternoon, I may just have time to pop into Cafe Latin on Friday morning for “church” so Neil Humphreys, no gay gear, right? It’s for your own good.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Red wine consumption a health boon shock (via Chris France’s Blog)
Red wine consumption a health boon shock
I am on the wagon. At least I was until that nice lady plasterer pointed out that it was a nice evening and that there might not be too many more nice evenings to enjoy a sun downer before dinner. I was carried, kicking and screaming to the pav and force fed a couple of beers.
This is what I will be telling my doctor after my cholesterol test due on Thursday. Thus I am totally absolved of blame and have a scapegoat whom I shall gleefully blame for my plight. That concludes the case for the defence.
If I had not met the resident plasterer, I may have lived an almost teetotal life. That is what I believe and indeed what I have told her. The fact that she dismisses this statement out of hand is a surprise to me. I cannot understand how I have been brought to this, I need a scapegoat and now I have found one.
The wingco begs a lift to the airport this morning. My picture today is of him taking over the piano at the Colegrave residence a few nights ago, accompanied by his beautiful assistant, his wife Maryse.
Anyone remember Peters and Lee?
I tell him of my problems of high cholesterol and he suggests what I have long thought, drink more red wine. When I point out that I could hardly drink more than I do and remain in control sufficiently to continue my very important vocation concerning currency exchange, he makes a better point in return, drink as much as him! Red wine contains statins that reduce cholesterol, so it is only sensible on health grounds to increase my red wine consumption. This is hard to argue with, so I won’t.
In any event, that is clearly an impossibility, if there was a world record for the consumption of red wine, I would back the wingco to challenge it. Taller than me, and bigger built, his capacity is awesome although perhaps a quality control button might help?. When I ask what his cholesterol level is, he poo poos the whole idea of tests, unless we are talking Test Matches. This of course then started the ongoing argument we have about the relative merits of attending the first Ashes Test in Brisbane (which I am) or the later Tests at Sydney and Melbourne (which he would like to). He is obviously of the school of thought that one visits a doctor when something is wrong, and drinking enough takes away any pain he might feel.
After the airport run, I must begin the irksome packing for Friday. The Norfolk Broads, now there’s an interesting concept, that’s where we are headed. I went to Norfolk before but it was closed. Maybe it will be open this time.They have that silly accent over there, which is even worse than the accents you hear over here. Time will tell. I do hope that I keep meeting those nice types of people that I did the last time, those with the extra fingers and eyes rather too close together, charming!
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Halfway House To Heaven – Provence?
Halfway House To Heaven is the title of a book just about to be released written by local tennis playing magnate Bill Colegrave, owner with his delectable wife Soraya of The Bastide St Mathieu a fantastic boutique hotel located between Plascassier and Grasse. Dear old Bill does not look the most athletic or intellectual person you have ever seen, but looks can be deceiving, he is a great tennis player, much fitter than he looks and has a consummate intellect. I don’t consider myself stupid, but when talking to Bill, I find that he knows more about everything than I do. Any subject we get on to, he leaves me trailing behind.
He set off on an expedition to find the source of the mythical Oxus river in Afghanistan in 2006, a feat that had eluded such famous explorers as Lord Curzon and Sir Francis Younghusband and that in itself should give you an insight into the man, as many had tried before but never found it. He found it and has written a book about it, the cover of which I would have liked to show properly, but being a dummy with computers didn’t know how to change it from a pdf file to a jpeg but show below anyway!
The cover of Bill Colgraves' book. Note the cunning way I have photographed it from my computer screen!
It has a foreward written by Sir Rannulp Fiennes, probably the best known explorer still living.
Talking of writers, which of course is my current vocation as well, now that the rain has stopped and the sun is out, I can resume my work from the comfort of my hammock, which I find is being used more and more at the moment, whilst I am so busy writing. This week, benefitting from my writing prowess will be Cote d’Azur Villa Rentals.
Bill Colegrave may have had to fight his way to Afghanistan in order to write a book, me, I am thinking of venturing into deepest Provence to write. Well, at least research deepest Provence on the internet from the comfort of the afore-mentioned hammock. It seems clear to me that I am in more danger of being found out for not actually going to the place about which I write, mainly because some people have been there before. This is not a problem for Bill, who, having convinced us he went there, can write just about anything he likes. Me?, sulky and disbelieving, just because he is better writer than me? well, yes actually.
I must also redouble my efforts to continue my most important work of saving the local ex pat community from the banks, who rely on their veneer of respectability to lure their customers into over charging them for foreign exchange movements. Indeed I have found quite a few lost souls in the past week, notably one REGS golfer who shall remain nameless but Bob Jones will know who I mean. Said lost soul has seen the light and will shortly be benefitting from great currency exchange deals.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Pigeon in attempted beer heist
As I implied in yesterday’s column, I have always been good at attracting birds, and yesterday (Sunday as opposed to the day before yesterday) on an impromptu visit to Cannes I proved the old bird pulling magic is still alive as my picture today shows.
Collared Dove about to be collared if he gets too near my beer
I said it was a pigeon and that grilled pigeon breast would go down well for Sunday lunch, but that nice lady decorator insisted it was a collared dove. This to me is splitting hairs. Once it is grilled and on your plate are you really going to send it back because it’s a dove breast, not a pigeon? I can tell you I would have collared it if I could have got hold of it.
We had set off for a Sunday lunchtime pint at Cafe Brun in Biot, but it was closed, so we headed to Antibes where the Blue Lady was….closed, this we ended up at Cannes, having witnessed some wild weather along the coast due to a strong easterly wind. They say October is the wettest month down here and its shaping up well.
Why is it the French don’t get the concept of a drink before lunch on a Sunday, even the Catholics get it with communion wine, but all you get from the French is effectively communal wining. This is especially true at the moment as we are looking down the barrel of another national strike on Tuesday, but whereas we Brits hesitate to strike and only do it as a last resort, for the French it seems to be a national pass time, to be enjoyed with marches in the sunshine and actually, come to think of it, with smiles all around, maybe they have it right after all.
I am still fed up that I had a round trip of 30 miles to get a couple of beers on a Sunday lunch time, but it was on the beach at Cannes, so cannot be all bad and next Sunday we will be in the UK and will doubtless consume a few pints before Sunday lunch before roasted road kill or whatever passes for food in Norfolk.
We shall apparently be staying near the Norfolk Broads. I am not sure I have ever stayed in a red light area before except in Amsterdam where the view of the broads there was somewhere between excruciating and diabolical.
After a couple of beers, we returned for the delight of that nice lady decorators cooking. Normally, as a cook, she makes a great decorator but it was surprisingly good. I did however have the temerity to suggest that the chicken breast looked a little like a collared dove, but with her laser eyes set to “stun”, I did not pursue what I thought night have been an interesting line of conversation. After all the word listen is an anagram of silent, an old adage that I have long held dear when reason is not part of a discussion.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Out with the old, in with the old
And so it came to pass. The Mougins School Car Boot Sale was a massive success. The garage was emptied in the morning, and with the stuff that nice lady decorator bought replacing the stuff that she sold, the garage is once again full. But at least she has enough stock to do another car boot sale soon, brilliant!
Last night, a couple of pints if Guinness in the Queens Legs seemed to be appropriate to celebrate her takings. She must have done well because she bought the drinks and then dinner later at The Valbonnaise, although we were restricted to the house wine by carafe, and only one of those, but I suppose I should be thankful for small mercies. I think that last time I remember her buying a round, it cost around 10 shillings in 1971, and I think she borrowed the money from me even then. Of course by marrying me, the flow of money from myself to her has changed from “borrowing” to “giving”.
There is however something that bothers me here. The stuff she has sold has almost entirely been purchased by me or with my money, but somehow, once these items that I have bought have been sold, the money belongs to the resident plasterer. Now tell me, how does that work, what am I missing?
The Valbonnaise was fun, despite the lighting, which does no favours for an older person. In my case people start seeing my face and that is not good news. Recently, I have twice been told I look like Jack Nicholson, which I thought was a complement, until I saw a recent picture of him. In this family run pizza and Italian food eaterie, all the dishes are all cooked in a wood oven which make it cosy in winter but too hot in summer. As it is autumn, the jury is still out.
Once again I have to contemplate going back to England, this time to Norfolk to a 50th birthday party next weekend. It reminds me that I need a winter coat but at least the prospect of some real English ale is tempting. The occasion is the birthday of an old friend, Lizzy Baylay, who I believe has always had a soft spot for me, so I may dig out the kilt (as it is a black tie event – although why a kilt is allowed as black tie attire I will never know). That nice lady decorator refers to these moments when I dream back to the days of my youth as “Glibido” which apparently means all talk and no action. Harsh but fair.
This time of year becomes mushroom time. A little early dew and a bit of rain with warm temperatures provides the perfect growing conditions for all types of fungi. At Valbonne market on Friday, there was an astonishing array of these items on sale as my picture below shows;
Not mushroom for any other fungi on here...the old ones are the best ones
Girelles and cepes, are the most common, but as you can see from the picture there are a number of different types, some costing up to 40 Euros a kilo. They have a brilliant scheme in France. All pharmacies are required by law to advise you on whether the mushroom you have just picked and are about to insert in your omelette is going to kill you or is edible. So just pick everything and pop into the pharmacy with any fungi that you find.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Miss England plays golf with France
A herculean struggle at Opio Valbonne Golf Course eventually threw up the correct winner of the REGS singles knock out competition (I mean of course my good self) who marched through to the last 16 in triumphant fashion. Despite a 9 shot disadvantage, England represented by France (?) was able to dismiss the Scottish challenge of Bryce Johnson (not Robertson as previously thought) and eventually crush it in Ryder cup style. The result was never in doubt despite the mad celt having a putt to halve it at the 18th. The reason? It had taken me 17 holes to persuade him to have a bet. Once he had swallowed the bait, he was doomed. I am a past master of gamesmanship (as opposed to sportsmanship which is quite a different thing) and thus, using all my powers, which had to be fully employed, after all, when can you remember a Scotsman buying a round? I rest my case – he finally succumbed to the offer of a wager when he was back level at the 18th, and as a result of this inevitable defeat bought all the beers!
I am sent a picture today by The Riviera Times of myself and my playing partners in the recent Riviera Times Golf Cup last Saturday. I show it because I had not realised that one of my opponents, Pauline Bull, was actually a former Miss England, and I thought it was interesting that Miss England was playing with Mr France, if you get my meaning…
From left to right, myself, Umar, The former Miss England, Pauline Bull and Chistiansen, picture courtesy of The Riviera Times
Last night to drinks at the magnificent Bastide St Matthieu, close to Grasse, a fantastic boutique hotel and the home of Bill and Soraya Colegrave. It is a magnificent house in a wonderful setting and I can quite understand their success with wedding receptions and the like. The wingco kept things going into the early hours by taking over the piano and regaling the guests with songs from the sixties, but sadly none in which I have a financial interest!
His repertoire was somewhat overshadowed however, by a mysterious drum machine which was a feature of this particular modern piano, until he managed to disengage the infernal thing. Until he did so, one could perhaps describe his playing as meandering to a different drummer.
I am fully expecting a quiet day today. That nice lady decorator was up at 7 this morning busying herself with preparations to buy sell loads of stuff at todays Mougins School Car Boot Sale, thus there is the blissful prospect of a whole day without nagging, and with luck the wingco will remember his late night invitation to his to watch some cricket, to get me in the mood for my forthcoming trip to Australia for the first Ashes Test.
Autumn is approaching and bad weather is forecast for the weekend, but perhaps that will finally end the mosquito season which has been worse this year than ever before, seemingly according to the locals because of our wet winter this year which brought al the snow. I had one in the bedroom last night which I named Beelzebug, because it got into the bedroom at 3am and would not be cast out.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Girls lunch – no casualties reported so far
The girls lunch passed off peacefully, at least, as far as I know there was no need for anyone to be bailed out, no young waiters were scared out of their wits, or quit, or both, and I have no reports so far of projectile vomit so far, so it seems it was a fairly quiet affair.
Actually, I witnessed some of it as Paul Warner and Wayne from FR2day were in the square lunching and were sufficiently able to make themselves heard on the phone above the female cacophony, to invite me down, so I accepted the invitation and met up for a quiet beer.
Today I had forgotten that I must play the next round of the REGS knockout competition against Bryce Robertson, who, as his name suggests is far from English. Thus Neil Humphreys whom I was looking forward to seeing at Cafe Latin this morning, will be spared more humiliation for another week, so Neil, if you read this before “church” at Cafe Latin this morning, you can wear what you like, I will not be there to humiliate you. Although I do have some spies with camera phones, so don’t relax too much.
Back to Bryce. For a Scotsman he is quite civilised, which must be the result of living amongst English people for most of his life, however I am sure that beneath that thin veneer of civilisation there is something of Brave Heart Celtic Pict just beneath the surface. Dare I beat him? I will let you know tomorrow.
My picture today is of James Lesinski our tame dealer from Currencies Direct, taken at the seminar at St Endreol earlier this week. You may notice that hair, which is always unkempt but when I took this picture, looks like he has some bubble gum lodged in it. I just wish he hadn’t tried to comb it with the gum still in there. He believes, wrongly as it turns out, that this annoying porcupine look is attractive to the ladies. It is not, but one of the waiters at St Endreol paid him a significant level of attention, but who knows, perhaps that is what he seeks?
James "bubble gum" Lesinski with that annoying hair.
An early night after a few beers as the sun went down, but an early night nowadays does not mean what it did when I was younger, when an early night was what you did before getting up and going to the pub. Age is a cruel taskmaster, taking as it does ones sleek form, ones hearing, ones lithe athleticism, ones interest in the bizarre and ones err ones memory….damn I forgot what I was going to say.
The weekend currently looks quiet. That nice lady decorator is doing the Mougins School Car Boot Sale on Saturday, when she will return home with 75% if what she wanted to sell and 25% more stuff which having bought this time, she will want to sell by the next time they stage a sale of this sort. It is a sort of ritual cleansing. Clear out the garage of all the old stuff you have stored for years, then go to a car bot sale, sell a little of it and buy a whole lot more stuff you dont need to fill in those big gaps that have appeared in the garage. It is a self fulfilling philosophy, a kind of circle of life.
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Cigar guy Ryder cup
Scurrilous rumours are being put about that it was me pictured beside Tiger Woods stealing his glory in the Ryder Cup but I can categorically state that as it was clearly not a Montechristo No 2 that he was smoking, that it could not be me. Otherwise I agree, the resemblance is uncanny, except I am a different colour, am much older, do not wear a turban, never have and never will do, and have a far more bristly moustache.
After my invented piece about the Apple introducing the I-Touch Kids, and the recent wedding anniversary, when I was once again denied parole, I have begun to think of what I can get that nice lady decorator for Xmas, and, given her hatred of all technological advances, I think I have it; an I-ron.
Domaine St Endreol is stunning in the cool misty sunshine just after dawn but had warmed to 25 degrees by 2pm when we departed. I can think of less stunning places to work, especially with a great golf course in the grounds, but the comment “I don’t trust my vibration” was Pippa’s excuse for leaving the Mike Lorimer Spectrum group seminar at the beautiful venue, pictured today.
Millionaires golf at St Endreol, sadly I had to work
She apparently had to take some phone calls and had her phone in vibrate, at least that was what she claimed and I believe her.
I have said it before and it is true that educating people to save 3% plus on their foreign exchange transfers is thirsty work and although I once again managed to avoid drinking loads of wine after the seminar, with Zoe Duncombe, in full flow and in a thirsty mood, I feared there was no avoiding dinner and alcohol later in the evening. However I was wrong in that respect, but Debbie Barrett, an old friend, in town for MIPCOM in Cannes descended upon us, demanded the opening of the pav and came armed with Sancerre, a particular weakness of that nice lady decorator. Although I retired to bed at a reasonable hour, I suspect complaints from the neighbours are imminent as I could still hear cackling outside into the early hours.
Today I will following up on all those dear folk I have met over the past couple of days who are anxious to save money on their forex transfers and engage in a bit of debt collecting for my writing output. Greg, expect a visit!
Thereafter, I may go to Valbonne early. Early because there will be a raucous crowd of girlies in the square today, no doubt amongst the most voiciferous will be that nice lady decorator, who has amassed a number of “ladies who lunch” for what I suspect will be an almighty autumn blow out. Avoid the square in Valbonne today if you have any sense. I suspect I may receive a late afternoon call to provide taxi services to some girls who may be a little “tired and emotional” after destroying the last stocks of summer rose.
Actually, I may leave Valbonne until “church ” tomorrow. It has been at least a week since I gave Neil “I’m Free” Humphries a hard time, and somehow that does not seem right
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Alcohol Almost Avoided
The beach at Cap d'Ail
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Apple Itouch for Kids?
Storm clouds gather to prevent hammock use
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Find A House in Cote d’Azur? www.frenchrivierapropertysearch.com
Innoculatte, coffee after a hangover
- Sheep surprise
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
Best Estate Agent in Mandelieu? www.chrisma.com
Ceramic Cafe in Biot? www.latassedecouleur.com
Rent a villa in Cote D’Azur? www.myperfectvilla.com
Chris France's Blog 