Mougins School Fair Postponed
The Mougins School Fair due to happen tomorrow the 19th, has been postponed until Saturday 26th June because of the stormy weather we have been experiencing. The decision was only taken this morning in the light of the forecast, so everything goes back a week, please tell anyone you think was planning to come. I was looking forward to it and will look forward to it next Saturday as it will include food from different countries, such as USA, featuring burgers and ribs, Norway with herring and salmon, England with scones and jam etc. What I want to know is which country is offering cockroaches as a free range ethical starter (only joking!)
I have won the golf trophy Tracy by default. I was there ready and willing to play, but my opponent Dilip looked like a no-show! There was a little moisture in the air, and its true that there was a magnificent thunderstorm in full glory at our appointed tee off time, all the roads to the course were under water or closed due to serious flooding or rock falls, but I was there and ready, albeit I had to use our 4×4, the fact that his rather vulgar Porsche floated away en route is hardly a matter for my consideration, we had a date and a time for the contest, and nowhere in the rules is there any reference to a little dampness interfering with play. Tracy is thus safe in the South of France until Dilip dares to show his rather peculiar face in these parts again. That was the position at 9 45 this morning when I wrote this, but 10 minutes later he showed up and after some hysterics and much stamping of feet (he did not agree that I had won by default) I agreed to play later in the day. My golfing pals know that no amount of water will deter me from playing golf is if there is money at stake, so after taking a commanding lead at half way when the rain returned, I was prepared to play on but was persuaded to take a break for several beers and a glass of wine. Later, much later, when rain had been replaced by sunshine, and much more beer and wine had been consumed thanwas required to keep golf tecnique in full swing (sic) it was agreed we play the last 3 holes and after the technicalities were ironed out, the win was mine and Tracy is safe.
The sun sets over Dilips hopes of winning Tracy the trophy
So what of this mad weather? unprecedented in the Cote d’Azur in June in the 6 years I have lived in France, the most annoying thing is that usually the lawn has finished growing by now and is resembling a prairie, but I swear I will be able to harvest several hundred kilos of hay from it, if it ever stops raining! Annoying, as I have not budgeted for having to pay some oik to cut it for me until October. Apparently the rain that has fallen in the Var has already surpassed the record for June set in 1827!
I decided I wanted to go to Frances Thompsons mexican night tonight but it is full although she does have a few spaces on Saturday.
Sunday could be another “material rich environment” as we will play golf again at the Grande Bastide where I am drawn against gruff northerner Dave Goddard in the REGS singles knock out, whom I trounced last week in a dry run due to his supposed bad leg – frankly these Yorkshiremen don’t care how then win. He said he has had an operation on his leg to repair a torn calf (steady Steve, that’s a muscle not a cute young animal), but I am suspicious because there is no scar. I shall be keeping a close eye on any exchange of brown envelopes with the handicap secretary.
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
John Otway For Eurovision?
Readers of this daily epistle may question whether there is ever a quiet day in Valbonne, but boy do I need one, especially after recent excesses culminating last night in Nice with AC/DC defying the rain (which amazingly left at least 10 people dead in Draguignan, 30 miles away), but it was never to be, an invitation to lunch at the Auberge St Donat proved too much of an offer to refuse. I contemplated a Bloody Mary to start, but as usual, good humour was re established quite quickly after a beer and the first glass of wine. I have flashbacks to last night and realise that by staying calm whilst surrounded by chaos meant that I had not properly understood the seriousness of the situation, but all ended well, so why should I worry?
This morning the grudge match for Tracy the (golf) trophy, hence the early post. Called Tracy because of a muffled phonecall to the current Mrs France that I was bringing the trophy home after yet another convincing win, the in house interior designer misheard what I was saying and uttered the immortal line “Who the f**k is Tracy? Of course it has been known as Tracy ever since. First contested in 2005 and always between myself and Dilip Soni, and therafter an average of 6 times a year, I have deserved to win it and indeed have won it in my mind on every occasion, although the plaque does have some mention of Dilip occasionally when the handicap system broke down. I will of course win again today but once again the mathematical niceties of why I may not actually get Tracy to come home with me will elude me, should that happen (which is not admitted), I have a picture below:
The "Tracy" trophy showing a good representation of Dilips golf swing
Friday I am working again, this time overseeing the loading up of the stock for the bar at Mougins School Summer Party on Saturday, where I am bar manager. A sudden panic as I reaslise that there is important football to be watched during my stint, but all hands are on deck to ensure a TV will be available. Sunday sees the Landlubbers golf group at Grande Bastide when I hope our captain, organiser and mentor, Dave The Fade, will be back amongst us. I have a bone to pick with him, I felt a spot of rain as his organised regs event last week, and he is to blame. Beatings will continue until morale improves. Further into next week, I have a lunch at Lou Fassum on Thursday with old school pal Alan Brydon, who astonishingly for someone who was even outshone by me at Aylesbury Grammar School, has risen through the ranks to be CEO at Oracle, and then on Friday the Riviera Business Club summer party on the roof of Hotel Aston in Nice, with music, comedy food and wine which promises to be a glittering affair where I sahll once again be conveying to the great and the good the value of transferring currency via Currencies Direct.
Hot news though for lovers of Eurovision, my old pal John Otway has come up with a plan to attempt to represent the UK in next years eurovision Song Contest!! A throroughly ripping wheeze if we can pull it off!! I have already begun work and have made contact with the organiser of next years event from the BBC. The plan is to link up Otway with the production and songwriting skills of Barry Upton (Cheeky Girls, STEPS etc) with the limited talents of Mr Otway, a mouthwater prospect for myself having a history of being involved in Song For Europe on and off over the past 20 years or so, and surely a recipe for disaster success on an even bigger scale than managed by Pete Waterman this year. To get the full 10 points was indeed, memorable, well done Pete!
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
Incoherence or “Inclarity”
As I sit and write this, there is some doubt about whether we will make it to Nice for AC/DC. The problem revolves around varying reports about how bad the weather will be and if the roads are closed. Reports are reaching me that Riviera Radio mast has been blown over, roads are closed, the trains are not running along the coast and storms are expected to continue overnight. The talk is of buying plastic capes from Decathlon on the way, which would be completely at odds with what I consider to be a true rock n roll ethos, but my spirit is weakening and I am not sure at my age if I can enjoy what if we get stuck on a washed away road on the way will doubtless be dubbed The Highway To Hell. Having previously attended Glastonbury for the wettest festival ever, 2 years ago, I have had a surfeit of cold wet rock and roll experiences, and I am in surprise agreement with Mr Spensley, who is so old that he went to the Isle of Wight in 1970 to witness Jimi Hendrix and The Who in their prime, as he too is less than enamoured with standing in the rain! However there is still a chance we may go….breaking off now I more later
But the rain cleared, the pre rock n roll sustenance (not substances as I was erroneously accused of mentioning yesterday) in the form of pizza, chips, beer and a rather nice St Emilion Grand Cru) had the effect of galvanising our small troupe of re-enthused rock n roll rebels old gits (well, and some young gits) and the decision was made to go, and it was a real treat, I find rock n roll bands funny at the best of times, films like Strange Fruit and Spinal Tap come into my mind when I see rock preening and performance, and this was amongst the funniest. I don’t mean that unkindly, it’s just that for me a bunch of 50 year olds pretending to be 20 always makes me laugh. Why was it the both the lead singer and lead guitarist were wearing hats? nothing to do with 50-year-old hair loss then? Or because it was raining? you decide!
The Nikaia, Nice, to see a bunch of 50 somethings acting 20
I guessed 50,000 people were there to witness Slashs’ new band who were the support act do a really good version of Sweet Child Of Mine, Slash wearing the same old hat – old hat being the operative words here, whilst the AC/DC highlights were Angus Young giving a great performance despite the rain, which my golfing pals will be surprised to hear I endured uncomplainingly for nearly 2 hours, but Highway To Hell, Big Jack, in fact the whole set was great…Sadly, the area around the Nikaia was a kebab-free zone so after a torturous search for our taxi and an even more torturous search the mystery lost member of our party who even I don’t dare to mention who was tired and emotional after a long day. The suggestion was that he was slightly incoherent but Mr Hindle who himself was at the very least incoherent himself described it as “inclarity” which I took to mean that he had drunk rather too much claret earlier in the evening. We adjourned back to the Thornton Allans after the most expensive taxi of over 130 euros, where an early morning curry had been prepared. A memorable evening with any number of blackmail opportunities stored up….never to see the light of day, maybe…
Today lunch at the Auberge St Donat with some charming Dutch people who we met some time ago, but whose name escapes me, then an early night to prepare for golf tomorrow morning at Grande Bastide or the Grand Bastard as Dilip describes it because it is a proper golf course with several par 5’s of over 450 metres which, of course, favour the proper golfer who can hit the ball more than 150 metres!
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
AC/DC – rock n roll in Nice
AC/DC in Nice tonight will start early with our driver picking us up at 4 30, in time for pre rock n roll sustenance, which in some cases may not be limited to a few drinks and an early dinner. I expected some rumblings after my piece yesterday but nothing yet except for a Scotsman correcting me on a matter of fact. Tonight, Mark Gurdon and Ashley who are flying in for what she believes is a celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary, whilst Mark believes will be a great chance to see his favourite band and thereafter giving his wife the usual anniversary present that she doesn’t really want or need (don’t worry, they never read the blog, she will never find out!), have had their plans put into disarray because of a sudden french air traffic controllers strike. As we speak, desperate measures such as flying to Milan are being attempted to ensure he sees AC/DC arrives in time to celebrate his wedding anniversary properly.
Locals will realise that whenever this is an influx of Brits, the weather goes downhill, with stormy weather today causing me to be able to suspend back-breaking work in the garden in favour of visiting garden centres. Frankly there is little to choose between the 2, but I did see something that would look very good in my garden but as I was trying to take a picture of her, the wife spotted me and so I directed the camera towards this magnificent olive tree for sale at a mere 2995 euros, that’s under £2500 at todays exchange rate. “What are you doing” she said “Just taking a picture this tree, wouldn’t it look good in the garden” I replied. I admit I got into a bit of trouble as the resident builder immediately asked where on earth I would put it if I bought it, and the first thing I thought of, which in retrospect may have been a little hasty, was to suggest we dig up the new terrace that she has built and….well you can guess the rest.
This could be nice on the site of the new terrace..
Tomorrow lunch at the Auberge St Donat to re-live the expected glories of tonight, although my friends know I am ultra critical when it comes to bands, so if there are shortcomings such as I identified with Deep Purple and Oasis last year, then expect to hear about it here. We are contemplating going to the Mexican Evening run by Frances Thompson in Valbonne on Friday, apparently she has a couple of spaces left. A return golf match on Thursday with diminutive Dilip, this time at a proper golf course, Le Grande Bastide where Tracy the trophy will change hands ready for a long stay in France unless the vagaries of the handicap system once again deny me the victory I so richly deserve.
Finally my duties as bar manager at the Mougins School Summer Fair are becoming ever more onerous. I thought bar managers just turned up to chat to customers whilst delegated bar staff actually did the work of keeping the thirst customers satisfied, but apparently this is not the case, according to the stern looks I have received from organisers Carol, Lea and Ingrid..
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
REGS,a Wonderful rich source of news
As Bryce Robertson, one of my golfing colleagues said yesterday, playing for the REGS (The Riviera Ex Pats Golf Society) is a “material rich environment”. This blog is rightly held in a mixture of trepidation and salacious anticipation, trepidation by those who suspect they may feature in it and salacious anticipation by those who look forward to reading about the next stupid or in appropriate gaffe perpetrated by their friends amongst the idle rich in Valbonne, which is exactly as I had planned. Some are stupid enough to court coverage in this esteemed organ, some rightly concerned that their previously upstanding characters being besmirched (what a good word!) By the word of Chris (bit like the hand of god – I like to think). Take Steve Weston – as Nancy clearly does – not content with coming out about his sheep fetish, including sending me a picture of his favourite sheep (see older entries) he tells a story about being in Scotland for an EU conference during a previous World Cup tournament when the entire Scottish contingent rejoiced as news spread that a goal had been scored against England. His point being that it did not matter who England were playing against, they were cheering for the opposition. I set the trap and innocently asked him (well no that’s not strictly true, malevolently asked him is more accurate) if he had a favourite Shetland sheep. I expected a stunned silence, tinged with the emerging realisation that my reporting skills would be exercised to the full if he revealed anything at all about this new penchant, but no, he ploughed on! Yes he does have a favourite, but he also likes Shetland ponies because, and I quote, “There is more meat on them”. By this time the assembled throng of REGS participants who had been listening to the conversation in increasing amazement, took up the cudgels, and began asking what I thought were quite pertinent questions, ” do you have any pictures of nice or pretty horses?” ” Do you have a favourite Derby winner as a pin-up?” and so on until gradually degenerating into ” have you ever slept with a horse?” I think it was about this time that Steve realised what dodgy ground he was on and the subject changed..
During a few glasses of beer after this hard-fought golf match, which I incidentally I won in spectacular style at the last hole against gruff unshaven northerner Dave Goddard who was suffering from a torn fetlock or whatever (this is another horse theme mention, just for Steve) . I have a picture to prove it, or my proudly sporting a 10 euro note stuck to my forehead in traditional style, but of course, I am too modest to publish it
The winner, as confirmed by Mick "German shooting trousers" Pedley supporting me with a V for Victory sign
My second today will reveal the pits of golfing sartorial ineptitude with which I am faced on regular occasions. New boy (in the loosest definition of boy) is Bill Oddie lookalike John Tindall who seems to believe that wearing a Beenie hat is making some kind of statement about his station in life. Mate, that station is so far off the main line that even Dr Beeching would have struggled to find it before closing it down. There is just one word of advice I would venture…just.. NO! He seems to be a most charming chap, despite appearances, and in a curious way I admire him, it must take a great deal of courage to turn up to play with the REGS for the first time looking like a cross between a didicoy and a bird watcher, and I am very impressed by his (mis placed) confidence, but John, once is enough..
Hat....just....no!
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
Planning for the trip to the northern wastes
I commence the logistical planning for the nightmare that will be my summer, actually, that’s not quite true, I have delegated said planning to the resident builder and plasterer, the current Mrs France. The snag is I have to do the paying bit! So far we have hotels confirmed in Macon, Calais, in France, and in the UK, Port Isaac, Croyde in Devon and visits to friends in Wiltshire, Surrey, Lincolnshire (wherever that is) and….roll the oppressive uneasy sounding music, Yorkshire. Regular readers will be aware that I am something less than enamoured with the northern wastes of England, so it is with some trepidation that I contemplate a trip there, however as most of the itinerants cannot read I expect I will be safe. Well comparatively safe, I will still no doubt have to fit the bull bars to the 4 x 4 like Crocodile Dundee to repel marauding northerners, pack my galoushes and sou wester to try and keep out the filthy weather, and have the alka seltzer stocks standing by to counter the diet of lard dripping, tripe and black pudding, which is apparently the staple of the great northern unwashed. Winter clothing will of course be the order of the day (under the wet weather gear) and eye patches to keep out the rather dim light which remains the same day and night, being, as it is, so close to the arctic circle. Rumour has it that there may be some decent beer to be drunk in those few semi-civilised outposts like Leeds or Harrogate but I am not convinced. At least I will not be looking at the exchange rate every day and cursing! But that seems the only upside.
I am corrected on the spelling of springbok scrum half I met yesterday in Valbonne, his name is Norman Jordaan, apparently he laid out 2 of the opposition when playing for Toulon and received a 20 day ban, perhaps I should ask him to be my bodyguard when up north in summer?
We take up the invitation to a barbeque in Plascassier where the hosts have kindly decided to suspend festivities during the England v USA World Cup football match, and which is being catered by the lovely Lucy from Red Radish Events. I think in future, before accepting invitations, I shall check who is doing the catering, all this talk of northern English culinary delights has made me nervous. The party is full of beautiful people and is a lavish and spectacular event, as my pictures fails to show, being a blackberry camera and thus crap after dark! I need not have worried, the catering is amongst the best I have ever encountered, Lucy and Wayne have done it again!
Party view from terrace in Plascassier
Golf with the REGS this morning at the wonderful St Donat Golf Course near Grasse with Dave the Fade and Brendon Woods, dubbed “the housewifes favourite” for reasons that are not immediately clear (Nick Riggs can you elaborate?) Hence the early posting of this unmissable daily view of the lives of the idle rich in Valbonne.
One final note, I hear from Mike Preston who is once again running a quiz night at Brittains Restuarant on 16th, this time wity music as the subject, email Mike for reservations mikepreston1@btinternet.com
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
Gratuitous Golfing Photography
Following yesterday’s very disappointing golf – although I cannot recall the result – and after a decent lunch time of “square bashing”, the newly constructed phrase which describes going into Valbonne and partaking of food and more likely, drink, in Valbonne Square, the sudden realisation at about 3 50pm that the World Cup was about to kick off caused an exodus to my place, as I had been indiscreet enough to mention that I had recently up- graded to a large screen high-definition set up. During half time, the discussion turned to the morning golf, Dilip, being very full of rose and of a definite hubris suggested on the strength of his morning performance that he might join the professional circuit, unfortunately for him I misheard and thought he wanted to join the professional circus, a suggestion to which I readily concurred, given the animalistic and comedic golf swing he employs. I have several times recently heard the word circus when another word has been uttered, just a few days ago I believed that my jewish friend Peter Lynn had described himself as circus sized , which I took to be a reference to his wedding ring as opposed to his wedding tackle as one wag remarked, as, apparently, there could be another meaning in the jewish world, something to do with being cut off in ones prime..
Someone has sent, as predicted, another really juvenile forehead note picture which I refuse to publish (see below) Its like waiting for a bus, you wait for ages for one , then 2 come along together, it’s not nice and it’s not clever, please do not send any others.
The wind was so strong it blew this bank note against the head of a rather dozy looking Dilip Soni
The weekend looks quiet, at the moment, but as normal a maelstrom of activity can commence at the drop of a hat, I just hope I can keep my hat tightly strapped to my head – its been a bit of a week. And talking of week or is it weak?, that is almost exactly what I am in the face of an invitation. A friend recently said that my wife and I would go to the opening of a tin of spam if there was a drink in it (not actually in the spam – I think you get my drift) which sounds harsh, but fair. There is of course the Mougins School Summer Fair, but that is not until next weekend, Actually, as I write, an invitation to a barbeque party to include the England v USA game tomorrow is received and gratefully accepted and of course there is the epic trip to Nice on Tuesday to witness the mighty AC/DC, with apparently, Slash from Guns and Roses new band in support. A full report of antics and music in this tome is inevitable.An early night is a rare treat but disturbed by the current Mrs France who has been at a jewellery party, well that’s what she says but I suspect it was an opportunity for the girls to gather around to character assassinate ( I suppose that is a split infinitive – note to Dave Worth; give me guidance -) us chaps. A gaggle of gigglers, further note to Dave, is that a collective noun?
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
Rugby, a game played by men with funny shaped balls
I set out with the trailer, collected the gravel, full of industrious intent, but then the sun was out and the hangover was still lurking, and then the wind suddenly got up, so an extremely flimsy excuse popped into my head, obviously I thought, too much dust flying around…..much paperwork had accrued during the Savin onslaught but such is the intensity of my work ethic on those odd occasions that it was all cleared up by lunch time. I have often told my jealous and sometimes surprisingly unbelieving friends that if one works at the intensity I do, the one never has to do a full day! and, after hearing that beaches were being closed in Nice due to the strong winds, we decided to pop into Cannes in the late afternoon expecting carnage, but the Croisette beach was like a millpond, sheltered from the brisk easterly, however the Palm Beach end was it bit wild as my picture shows.
To the left of Palm Beach, Cannes, wind surfer heaven
An invitation to a barbeque with the precocious Pippa and rubgy playing husband Gerald in the village in our jaded condition (actually there should be a new English verb “To Savin” whose meaning should be “to exact serious liver damage and general carnage on innocent people”) was not greeted with the enthusiasm it would normally receive, but as I pointed out to the current Mrs France, at least we would not have to cook! We resolved to go for an hour but it was such a convivial evening that we did not leave until after midnight. I meet several Grassois rugby players amongst whom is Norman Jordon. He played against England at scrum half for the Springboks in 2002 at Twickenham and tells fascinating stories about being a coloured rugby payer at the end of the apartheid regime. I was not aware that there was a big coloured and black rugby movement during apartheid, a fact that did not emerge when I saw the otherwise brilliant film “Invictus” at the Valbonne cinema.
Today golf was on the agenda at Chateau Begude, otherwise known as Opio/Valbonne, a pretty course but with a couple of narrow holes that let it down, against Dilip by diminutive South African friend, who is far from pretty, except for his golf, no actually that is also far from pretty. It was a pleasant game, but once again I do not recall the result, I believe the taking part is so much more important than the winning, The course does not really suit the skilful player with the big drive, it is more suited to old men who can hit the ball far enough to lose it, so I try not to play there often. I just hope I don’t get sent any more juvenile photographs of people with bank notes stuck on their foreheads, most unbecoming.
As the sun is out, and its Friday, “square bashing” appears to be organised for late lunchtime, so it is my duty to turn up and pay as usual. I am sure that you realise that I would prefer to be back at my office hard at work extolling the virtues of Currencies Direct, but it seems I have other duties, toodle pip!
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
House Guests Trail of carnage ends
The last supper, well lunch, was the usual good solid meal one associates with the Auberge St Donat, 5 courses with frankly as much wine as you can drink, but all I can focus on is that, after a week of serious liver abuse, house guests the Savins are going home! Yet again someone has filled up my bottle recycling box – which has had to be emptied twice on some days recently – and I am beginning to think that in some way The Savins are involved. Once I have a day without alcohol, the mists may clear and I may understand how this happens, in the meantime I need closed circuit TV to spot the culprits. And talking of culprits, we are joined at lunch by wing commander Spensley, erstwhile tennis partner, a.k.a 118 senior, the older part of the mustachioed old gits as we are sometimes collectively known. He is in good form, and despite protesting that he “can’t have a big one as he has work to do” manages to pack away enough red wine to make a dent in the european wine lake, if such a thing still exists. Actually its a moot point, can one make a dent in a lake? And as if he was not content with drowning in wine, he later decided to wear some of it as 1 of my pictures today shows;
Wing Commander Spensley doing a very good Peter Lynn impersonation
He confirms that he will never read this blog despite the fact that all his family do, which of course leaves an open opportunity for abuse from me. Personally I have no problem with his haircut, which I have very kindly edited out to avoid embarrassment. It can of course never be affected by the wind, being sleek and no doubt wind tunnel tested and thus so precise that someone more mischievous that I might suggest that it is glued in position, I swear I saw that inveterate waterer of all things fake, Janie Savin, reach for the water several times during lunch, and I am certain I overheard her asking for a sprinkler, I do hope mildew will not be a lasting problem!
And so later to Nice for a Currencies Direct affiliation presentation, where I meet once again the lovely Janey and Mira from Friend In France plus several other now well-informed future affiliates. Janey tells me that I have created a persona for her that does not exist, but I say if the cap fits….then drinks on the terrace of Hotel Aston, with views of the sea. A brief stop in Waynes bar and then home.
I am sent a rather juvenile picture, shown below, of an elderly gentleman wearing what appears to be a 10 euro note stuck to his forehead.
Grandpa Savin reverting to childhood
I have heard that this rather futile gesture has something to do with celebrating victory at golf rather gratuitously, but how one can win when taking more shots than your opponent, when the whole idea of golf is to take less shots to complete the course, defeats me (not that I admit to ever having been defeated). I am afraid that the higher mathematics used to calculate this are beyond me.
More gruelling gravelling (nice alliteration)? (no Paul, it is not a collective noun for alligators) today will be followed by a surprise event this evening and preparations for golf on Friday with diminutive and rather stupidly named Dilip Soni, John O Sullivan (guess the nationality?) and his guest. Said preparations must be serious as the trophy “Tracy” will be up for grabs.
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
Humiliation Avoidance, a dark art
A friendly round of golf with Pedro today was enjoyable in part, except for the result which I do not recall. I believe that we were all square at the 17th and imagine that if things went against me, which I do not admit, then it may have been a philanthropic action on my part. Pedro is growing old, indeed, as regular readers will know he has recently been mistaken for my father. Clearly he is nearing the end of his golfing life and it would have been uncharitable of me if I had not allowed him to win (which is not admitted) even on the basis of a handicap system that is frankly inexplicable. Suffice to say that on equal terms I would have won, not that I lost…. All I will say is that when level at the last whilst and conceding a shot it is not a good idea to get a 9. Not that I did….
Lunch at the very agreeable restaurant at St Donat Golf Club was followed by the all important siesta before heading into Valbonne for some “square bashing” (see blogs passim – note to Paul North, this is not a spelling error but is Latin, try googling it) via the book launch at the English Book Centre Where we meet fascinating 88 year old local resident (pictured today) .
John Misseldine, Spitfire pilot with a story to tell
He was signing copies of his book at a launch arranged by Lin Wollf proprietor of said fine book store. Later we are joined in the act of square bashing by quiz king maestro Mike Preston who’s questions set for the Brittains Quiz Night were so difficult, he was often the only one with the answer (not many people would immediately recognise the Yemeni National flag for instance!) Also in this select group is Peter “the Joke” Lynn and lovely wife Judy who looks and probably is about half his age, and were apparently distantly related even before they were married! – I thought that type of thing only went on in the frozen wastes of northern England, and perhaps Cornwall, lots of eyes too close together and high foreheads, Michael Walker, himself a product of the icy tundra covered wastes of Lancashire or Yorkshire will be au fait with this look, at least he seems to have a very large area betwixt eyebrows and hairline, but even there in the frankly uninhabitable hinterland of Bolton or Rochdale, circumspection is rare,…but I digress..Pete tells an array of Jewish jokes, himself being properly circumspect (there is a part of what the lord gave him missing) and remains the best joke teller I have ever met. Lunch today at the Auberge St Donat, a plunge back to earth from the stellar heights of Lou Fassum but like a comfortable old pair of slippers, relaxing and cheap!
Finally I hear that my golf challenge thrown down to Paul North is being avoided by his travelling to South Africa citing some small competition called the Football World Cup when I will be in England. Some may be inclined to call this chicken, I myself would contend that it is just lucky coincidence for him…after all, I do not believe even his powers of humiliation avoidance could stretch to ensuring the World Cup would be staged to coincide with another planned whipping on the golf course of the big man of the fridge magnet world!
To Nice this evening in the search for more affiliates to Currencies Direct
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
Fake banana Palm produces fruit
A miracle has happened. After constant watering by house guest Janie Savin, our fake banana palm has bourne fruit as my picture shows! Janie is ecstatic! Lovely, ditsy, unbelievably naive, she has provided me with much material over the last few days for this blog, I am going to miss her!
Can you see the face of Jesus here? Its a miracle!!
Whilst seated on the terrace enjoying another fantastic meal yesterday lunch time at Lou Fassum in Plascassier I receive a call from Wayne at fr2day. Other diners look askance as my phone trills “Lazy Sunday Afternoon”, they don’t realise that this song on its small (Faces) part is one of the reasons I am able to enjoy lunch in such sumptuous surroundings (that, and the fact that as it turns out this is our house guests treat) and frankly I care not a jot for the opinion of a collection of large uncouth Americans adorned in trainers and the biggest shorts I have ever seen -unless of course they are clients of Currencies Direct – in which case I sincerely hope they find something that will satisfy their hamburger and fries fetish, anyway, I digress – which as regular readers will understand is not abnormal. The call is to offer us complimentary tickets for the Riviera Comedy Club in Cannes that very evening, an offer which is discussed and readily accepted. Clearly this blog is becoming even more powerful than even I could project, so once again a siesta is called for before another night of fun filled jollity. Discussions continue however over lunch about something that was amusing but I can’t remember what! Alzheimer’s is a err… a very err… cruel…. What was I saying? But back to lunch at Lou Fassum. Another fabulous gastronomic delight at this Michelin starred restaurant at Plascassier, it simply must be tried, a real discovery in recent weeks, and a mere 2 miles from home! The menu of the day including a glass of wine for 22 euros, top value!
The Riviera Comedy Club has become firmly established over the past year or so, with venues in Nice, Monaco, Antibes and Morrison’s Irish Bar in Cannes where we met Wayne from Fr2day. Amusing though the comedians were, personally I think it is more of a winter activity because when its warm of an evening I want to be outside, but the event is well attended so I may be in a minority. Diary note for November. Lucy from red radish is also in attendance and takes me to task about my mention that they are sold out for their guerilla beach event on 19th June, as Wayne says, “how many people can you get on a beach?” so places still available folks! I am very sad that I cannot attend – I am running the bar at the Mougins School Fair on the same night. We wend our way home earlyish on the train from Cannes to Mouans Sartoux in possession of kebabs from one of the seedy fast food joints near the station, a far cry from the Michelin Star food enjoyed only hours earlier at lunch, but in its context I suggest enjoyed no less, except something kept me up half the night! – no not what you are thinking sadly.
Finally, I am hearing rumours that golf foe Paul North is By and Large. Thats it, Bi and large….
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
Plastic Lillies in Drowning Shock
The last-minute decision not to go the beach yesterday was frankly very welcome, a couple of glasses of rose in the pav gave the almost perpetual hangover,which is omnipresent whenever the Savins are in residence, a brief respite, and was followed by that rarest of summer animals, an early night. Before retiring Pedro I partake of a rather good 2003 Bordeaux, the first red wine to pass my lips in some time. Earlier in the afternoon Janie Savin commented on how good the lilies looked at the front of the pav, which she had been assiduously watering each day as shown in my picture today. I am now seriously worried about mildew because they are, as everyone knows except the lovely Janie, that they are of course fake, however she is convinced that the fake banana palm which she has also been watering looks greener. I spy something that looks like budding banans today, who knows how much they might grow overnight
beautifully watered fake lillies
I hear from another Janey at Friend In France (not Friends in the plural as I have previously written – although that may have been a better description given the very friendly girl on girl exploits I mentioned yesterday….now those of you who have not read yesterdays episode will have to go back and see what I wrote , at least the male readership will!.. ). She reminds me of a story she told me on Friday evening about having to rescue her goldfish from her tree surgeon, that I promised not to reveal, and I won’t, mainly because I cannot remember the details . I have spent the morning puzzling but as yet I cannot make the connection… Talking of puzzling, the lovely Janie Savin once found me doing The Times Crossword and asked me if I wanted any help, After some thought, I said, “7 down, postman’s problem at Christmas” She asked “how many letters” to which I replied “bloody millions…” – the old ones are the best ones as Peter Lynn understands.
Lunch today will be at the excellent Michelin starred Lou Fassum in Plascassier but given that the cheapest wine on sale there is some 50 euros a bottle, I suspect we will dig into the very few bottles left in the cellar that remain after our thirsty guests had left on Friday night before setting off.
This morning to meet yummy mummies Ingrid, Carole and Anna to make final arrangements for the Mougins School Fair on 19th June, this year with the welcome addition of a champagne bar. It is only when I return that I realise that my shirt has a hole in it, and my clean jeans were not in fact clean, having been covered in various bits of breakfast without my prior knowledge. They are all kind enough not to draw attention to it, but I can tell you that when I returned home and it was pointed out to me, I felt like Nick Davies must feel on most days, uneasily aware that I am poorly dressed.
I hear from old friend Paul North (see comments) who is still claiming golf ascendance over me, although how that can be the case when he plays off a girls handicap of 28 meaning that I must give him, a man 20 years my junior, some 15 shots start is still a mystery. I realise that he has a slice like a corkscrew, but that is a fearsome lead to concede. Paul, play off 24 in the summer and will give you a good whipping whenever you like…
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
Bloody Mary does not cure Bloody Hangover
I tried a bloody Mary, several glasses of rose, a fried egg, all the usual hangover cures, but nothing worked, so a siesta was inevitable before our driver, the cute and almost perfect Nigel Graves arrived at 7pm sharp last night to start the next adventure in the life of the idle rich in Valbonne. And so to Saint Paul De Vence to see ex Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings featuring an array of top musicians, plus the dulcet and immediately recognisable tones of the legendary Georgie Fame and long serving session singer Beverley Skeete, staged in the fantastic outdoor setting nestling in the ramparts of this beautiful ancient hilltop village. Ancient is the watchword here, with the 8 musicians in stage probably totalling some 600 years between them, Bill himself having notched up 74 himself, weaving a musically evocative feast of blues, Jazz, and 60’s music and culminating in Bill himself taking the vocals for Honky-tonk Women. Simply a treat, except for the fact one couldn’t get a drink until afterwards, but given recent excesses, I was almost relieved!
Oui Oui, je suis un pop star
Continuing with the ancient theme, a late afternoon event with a difference occurs on Tuesday at 5pm at The English Book Centre in Valbonne. An old WW2 Spitfire pilot living in Chateaneuf has written a book, about to be published called SURVIVAL AGAINST ALL ODDS – SUNDAY, 8TH JUNE 1942: SHOT DOWN OVER FRANCE. My first thought was that it might be a guide as to how to survive a Phil Collins gig, but is a true story about how after being shot down, he managed to make his way to Gibraltar and escape, back to England only to throw himself back into the war effort again.
He’s still around to tell the tale (he’s 88), and he will be outside the bookshop on Tuesday 8th June, 68 years to the day after it happened, to sign copies of his book and chat with anyone wishing to meet him.
Afterwards continuing the military theme we will probably do some “Square Bashing”. This expression was once synonymous with soldiers undertaking repeated laborious marching drills, but in Valbonne parlance square bashing refers to going into Valbonne square and giving it a bit of a bashing in terms of consumption of food and drink!
I think perhaps will be a quiet day today with lunch on the beach at Juan Les Pins in preparation for a week looking no less frenetic, with the return grudge match at St Donat on Tuesday, when once again money will change hands in my direction before Mr Savin returns to the UK to lick his wounds and try to recover before the next inevitable beating that I shall administer when in back in blighty myself in July.
I hear that the red radish guerilla beach event is fully subscribed on 19th July, and that Frances Thompsons supper club event has overflowed into the 19th as well due to popular demand, als I will be at neither as I have manfully volunteered to run the bar at the Mougins school Summer Fair on the same day, and combine this philanthropic duty with a similar duty of continuing to make available the possibility of saving money on foreign currency transactions at the same time..
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
Terrace Party Shock Horror
I arrive home from a shopping expedition to replenish the cigar humidor to find the household busily preparing for the party of which I have only recently become vaguely aware. Perhaps I should have been suspicious of the enormous quantities of wine and food that had been amassed by the current Mrs France and house guest Janie Savin, but naively I had assumed the stockpiling was due to yet another french strike. I think the french would go on a protest strike if there had not been a decent strike for a month! I am sometimes accused of lacking perception but the signs from the main road, saying “Terrace Party This Way” the balloons, the almond trees adorned with bright coloured trimmings (previous parties have been slightly marred by cars backing into invisible trees), increased my slight suspicions that the terrace opening gathering, which I had been told was only a select few friends, was possibly going to be a much bigger affair. As guests started to arrive, I formed the impression that the event had been billed as a bad taste evening, as my picture of Nick Davies below suggests;
Nick Davies shirt is so bright it reflects on Phil Jeremy who is so distressed he goes home on crutches, although perhaps I should say he arrived on them too!
Later on it became clear that house guest Peter Savin must have received the same dress code information, and, as my 2nd picture shows,the forced wearing of his particular bad taste item had clearly distressed him!
Peter Savin, whom Nick Davies mistook for my father
There are other photos, Mike Hardakers crocs for instance, but as he has a rather uninteresting photo of me locked away, I do not feel the need to include it here. My Friends In France currency affiliate friends Janey and Mira were mistaken for partners in life rather than partners in business and busily acted out the part, however I personally missed this much to my chagrin, and Soraya Colegrave who only wears Jimmy Choo shoes was unimpressed with the impact on them by the old shingle terrace but soldiered through the evening telling everyone about her Midsummer Opera Dinner, Glyndebourne style on July 9th at Bastide St Mathieu, and Peter Bennett from Blue Water yachting was so impressed by the pav he is considering having his house knocked down and rebuilt in a different area so he can accommodate one.
The last stragglers, which always includes Pippa and Gerald my associates from Currencies Direct were finally ushered from the camp fire at close to 3am and a good night was had by all until I awoke this morning.
I am considering installing close circuit TV cameras to try and catch whoever it is who keeps dumping his empty bottles in my garden. I would not mind so much if they were all neatly bagged up in one place, but to distribute them around the garden from the pool to the lawn and from the pav to the camp fire is truly vindictive. There can be no other explanation, I am in no doubt that the current Mrs France and Janey would have undertaken their duty diligently, clearing everything up after the gathering had left but then some ecologically challenged fiend destroys all their good work by recklessly distributing empty bottles far and wide.
So as I write this the minutes are ticking by until midday, and with the sun over the yardarm the bloody marys will commence and I shall one gain no doubt feel at one with the world. A siesta this afternoon is a must to prepare for Bill Wyman tonight, so please, nobody phone me this afternoon!
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
Fake Banana Palms Need watering?
I knew from the moistening of my forehead, which has to occur for the 10 euro note to stick properly, that the putt for a birdie at the first hole was going to go in and was a sign of imminent victory, and so it came to pass. Celebrations were muted except for me, regular readers will know that I am magnanimous in victory, surly in defeat, and so Valbonne Square seemed the appropriate venue to be magnanimous with my winnings. Of course, to play golf here costs upwards of 65 euros a round, and 10 euros is a comparatively small amount, but even my powers of description cannot convey the joy that is attached to the moment when the note is firmly in place. It’s not about the money, it’s about winning!! Paul North may well remember that feeling although it was a long time ago.
Janie Savin, pleased with new growth on fake banana palm
Valbonne square is buzzing and we meet several new friends including one of my competitors in the world of currencies, however despite that Nigel appears to be a genial chap with music business connections, but has no idea that Bill Wymans Rhythm Kings are playing in St Paul De Vence tomorrow night. I do hope his knowledge of what is happening locally in the music industry is not matched by his knowledge of the world of currency!
Peter Savin (or Pedro as he is known whilst in foreign climes) the losing contender in the aforementioned golf has far too pretty a wife for a man of his age, so it always a delight when the lovely and angelic Janey Savin is our house guest. She likes to help out in the garden or the kitchen and last evening she volunteered to water the plants unaware that the banana palm which nestles behind the pav is fake. She has clearly not been reading this blog regularly enough! and, as my picture today shows, she watered it thoroughly and I must say it is looking a bit cleaner this morning, but certainly no greener!
Some 40 bottles of wine have been purchased for the terrace opening party which has now got completely out of hand. I shall stand by with my camera tonight to catch the expolits of the local idle rich who will hopefully provide me with a great deal of material for the coming days. As Peter Lynn, that most circumspect of Jewish gentlemen, so rightly comments, too many freaks, not enough circuses.
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
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