Of pears and parking

Before starting this week's entry, I would like to thank Mr Ed. C of Cambridge for his recent question concerning the Libre Livre team. No, Ed, the title 'Head Marbler' reflects her position in the company and is nothing to do with personal habits.

Now, on with the blog:

A few days ago the Head Marbler and I held an 'off-site' meeting in France. We took along with us Helen, a friend of a friend, who was headed for the same village. All went well until we came to leave. We'd filled the car, packed all our bags, bought a bottle or two of "marbler's delight" and were on the point of leaving when I closed the boot...and realised I'd locked the key inside.

The AA, bless them, refused to allow us to subscribe for European cover; the local garage said all its engineers were busy, and the Gendarmerie was closed for lunch. Of the village firemen there was no trace at all. Eventually the Gendarmerie re-opened and a tall policeman who looked about 14 gave me a withering look - there may have been a dash of pity in it, as both the HM and Helen were getting a bit excited by now - and rang another garage who said they would send somebody along shortly. We returned to take a coffee in the village square.

Sure enough, after half an hour or so an enormous lorry turned up, presumably loaded with ramps, and towing equipment etc fit for any emergency; except ours. The driver explained he needed more tools and would return shortly, by which time the entire village were on the alert.

Once back, in ways I should not divulge, the mechanic had the door catch up quite quickly, only to discover that the car's alarm system prevented it being unlocked without the key. The only solution was to break a window, haul out each bag in turn and search it for the key. This would have been fine and, in fact, did turn out successfully except that I had had the idea of collecting some windfall pears. As the bags were squeezed out the pears cascaded all around the car and rolled across the square before the astonished villagers.

Anyhow we found the keys and were off. At Calais, Helen said she needed to go and wash her hands. She left us in a queue of cars waiting for the ferry. I don't quite know how it happened, but as we turned around the let her back in all the other cars disappeared leaving us alone in a vast empty car park. A small white van scurried across and the driver conferred with the HM who announced that we had been selected for a 'thorough' customs check and should follow the van.

We drove slowly across the terminal until we came to a long line of vehicles - some of which I recognised as having once been ahead of us in our queue. The HM, however, was adamant: "follow that van". So I drove straight past the queue and drove on until eventually the van stopped outside a ferryman's cafe. The driver got out, looked at us with weary astonishment and beckoned us to resume our pursuit. Back across the terminal, back past the line of cars, until we finally drew up to the back of the queue where he waved us an exaggerated "good-bye"

"Leave me alone, both of you" cried Helen, rather hurtfully, once on board, as she headed for the duty free.

Friends old and new

It is always a pleasure to meet up with an old friend, and last week the LLL team were delighted to meet Vanessa, who was one of my fellow students at West Dean, and her husband Daniel.

Vanessa has made good use of her training and now holds a position at one of the most prestigious US institutions, which sounds absolutely brilliant. Daniel, who must be the most well travelled person I've ever met, grew up in places where the maps don't go.

We had a pleasant evening walking around Lewes and eating at the Pelham Arms - a pub I can thoroughly recommend and rather more respectable than some of the local hostelries, though Daniel assured me I ain't seen a bawdy house yet - not this side of the Pond.

Now that summer is finally drawing to a close this blog will be updated once again on a regular basis. I intend to write it weekly, and though there may be a bit of slippage it shouldn't be for long.

Meanwhile, thanks to Daniel and Vanessa for a great evening.