It's not what you know

 I know from living in a small village in France that all sorts of shady deals take place without the authorities ever knowing or likely to know.  The black market thrives, the economy suffers but people do their deals and celebrate having 'got one over' on the powers that be.  Since I moved to Saumur, a town, I sailed seamlessly through my MOT thanks to a friend knowing the owner.  Not that anything illegal was done but I didn't have to wait for an appointment and the process was carried out quickly and efficiently.  A few days ago I was telling my neighbour that it was impossible to find a dentist.  The next day she slid a card into my hand and said take this to the dentist, ask for Francoise and say Philippe sent you.  That afternoon I walked round to the address on the card, spotted the lady sporting the name badge with Francoise on it and slid the card across the counter.  I said who I was, that I would like an appointment for a check up and that Philippe had sent me.  She took a new patient card out of the drawer, much to the surprise of the other receptionist, and completed it with my details.  She then wrote down the date and time of the appointment on the back of the card and slid it back to me.  Mission completed in less than 3 minutes.  Impressive.  I don't know how my neighbour did it or who Philippe is but I am content to stay ignorant of the facts.

An old friend died this week.  He had been suffering from cancer and heart problems for years so it was not a surprise but the world has lost a colourful character, not only in his personality but also in the clothes he wore.  A 4 star general in the French army he would arrive at my house for lunch sporting yellow trousers, a check yellow waistcoat and a red jacket with matching tie.  One of my neighbours spotted him one day and said 'you English are so eccentric.'  'Not this time,' I replied, 'he is one of yours.'  He spoke English like a lord but used terrible grammar, which no-one seemed to notice.  I disagreed with him about his racism and challenged him  constantly but he appeared to be oblivious to the fact that people could be outraged by it.  He was not everyone's cup of tea but there are not many people  who can boast teaching Prince Charles how to remove a champagne cork with his sword and he was one of the  last eccentrics.