Now dear readers we jump into the early 80’s and once again, Bordeaux is benefiting from my presence. Grand slam tennis, Le Tour, du vin, du tain, du pain, du pins, du femme, du Gauloises. What more could a guy want?
The family of la Femme is catholic, but not very. Today however is the first communion for some of the local boys and girls. Big occasion. All go off to church in their finery. A garden party is to follow.
This particular heathen is not required and I am whisked away by younger brother to an industrial estate not far from Merignac. He thinks I shall enjoy visiting his uncle’s factory…yeah, yeah, course I will ! Course I do !! Unc designs and prints wine labels. Also takes photos of chateaux, vineyards, barrels etc. for publicity and such, and prints glossy brochures. Velly intellesting indeed, and I get the full tour with M. le Patron himself.
We’re off again, tempus has fugited. Arrive at garden party to lots of white-clad tadpoles and proud parents etc. The local butcher is there with his van and an assistant. They have set up a bbq and are dealing with large quantities of various meats from said van. Brother-in-law is in charge of the wheel barrow. It carries several cases of champagne and still wines. I might just be able to get used to this don’t you know.
A while later, 5 or 6 elderly society ladies corral me, and ascertain that I am indeed the English intruder. One of them is carrying a yorkie which has a pink ribbon on its head. “Isn’t it wonderful” she says (in French) “about la deedee”. I look furtively around for my tame interpreter whilst apologising that my French is not very good. “You must be SO pleased” says another. I apologise again and reiterate my non-understanding. “You must know,” says a third “she is marrying your king”. Still none the wiser I swig some more bubbles and gently explain that we didn’t have a king. “No, not the king” says the first one “pranzzz shaaarrrll”. The franc finally drops…it’s Lady Di !!!.
Finis, and thank you for flying Bacchus.
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