tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post42280831026338943..comments2024-01-12T00:35:16.941+01:00Comments on French Leave: An Oxymoron's Adventures in Wonderland.the fly in the webhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-80244790387313807342012-10-09T00:07:55.663+02:002012-10-09T00:07:55.663+02:00Thought it might possibly appeal....Thought it might possibly appeal....the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-1261437287515134452012-10-08T10:39:31.962+02:002012-10-08T10:39:31.962+02:00I like the idea of a voluntary obligatory contribu...I like the idea of a voluntary obligatory contribution - reminds me of the extra hours I put in at work.The bike shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05195882998271591934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-72156498453878406372012-10-02T14:39:44.699+02:002012-10-02T14:39:44.699+02:00No, the gap between what everyone is parroting and...No, the gap between what everyone is parroting and the somwhat ugly reality is disconcerting.<br />I started thinking that there was a common European heritage so there must be points of contact, but found that the mentality, the very way most French think about things, was totally alien.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-80047714379316481572012-10-02T00:03:53.951+02:002012-10-02T00:03:53.951+02:00The French must all be past masters at believing s...The French must all be past masters at believing six impossible things before breakfast, Fly. I used to think I'd like to live there full-time, but close reading of the local newspaper and regular chatting to our French neighbours have made me realise I couldn't cope with a looking-glass world. Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-17159536446942980092012-09-28T14:08:22.660+02:002012-09-28T14:08:22.660+02:00Like a Christmas card for the mother in law.....Like a Christmas card for the mother in law.....the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-76643312330201398512012-09-28T10:10:57.612+02:002012-09-28T10:10:57.612+02:00Great post. Of course voluntary is a much nicer (...Great post. Of course voluntary is a much nicer (acceptable) word than obligatory. I'm sure it's used to make people feel good about giving (tongue firmly in cheek)Ayakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903896106779269050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-48657919891794647082012-09-28T01:03:16.224+02:002012-09-28T01:03:16.224+02:00Well you are doing decidedly better than most of t...Well you are doing decidedly better than most of the British in France of my acquaintance who had spent years there without noticing anything more than that the gobbledegook mail was in French!<br /><br />At this rate I can hand over to you some time next year and enjoy your take on it all!the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-85037219405624709912012-09-28T00:58:41.137+02:002012-09-28T00:58:41.137+02:00That's very kind, Linda. I can only blush and...That's very kind, Linda. I can only blush and disclaim.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-56232109403865214572012-09-28T00:58:10.019+02:002012-09-28T00:58:10.019+02:00My bit is like that....down on the coast it's ...My bit is like that....down on the coast it's hot and sticky, up in the real mountains you need a fire at night most of the year....but you could spend a few holidays exploring to find the right microclimate!the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-89694895966340885702012-09-27T17:44:06.751+02:002012-09-27T17:44:06.751+02:00I dont know where to start on this one Fly. I am b...I dont know where to start on this one Fly. I am becoming more and more aware of specifically French oddities. Basically its not possible to spend time in Caunes and not notice them. I do love reading your take on things though. It makes me smile, and despair at the same time, and then makes me , perhaps, a little more observant the next time I read the paper, chat to a neighbour or open some piece of official gobbledegook mail. Thanks.Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05449652020751269674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-16870584770727472052012-09-27T16:26:32.777+02:002012-09-27T16:26:32.777+02:00I echo The Broad's sentiments.I echo The Broad's sentiments.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692170857496442623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-31085988925313651582012-09-27T15:35:38.585+02:002012-09-27T15:35:38.585+02:00There must be something to be said for Costa Rica ...There must be something to be said for Costa Rica after all... no air con, no central heating needed? Take me there!Mark In Mayennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14987723233401368368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-15763671728043582622012-09-27T13:40:53.396+02:002012-09-27T13:40:53.396+02:00It's a bit like not noticing men peeing in pub...It's a bit like not noticing men peeing in public, isn't it...part of the landscape...<br /><br />Yes, someone else's fire is perfect!the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-8037518909306379612012-09-27T09:11:37.510+02:002012-09-27T09:11:37.510+02:00I've been here too long. I didn't see anyt...I've been here too long. I didn't see anything odd about the Voluntary Obligatory Contribution! <br /><br />Brilliantly explained, Fly. I'm not sad I don't have a log fire any more. As you say, getting the wood in and emptying the ashes are easily missed. I'm happy to sit in front of someone else's fire though. :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-44031420305159289022012-09-27T01:14:09.632+02:002012-09-27T01:14:09.632+02:00Good idea!
Do as used to be done with lamb....pick...Good idea!<br />Do as used to be done with lamb....pick up in the U.K., dump on French farmland for a couple of days and sell it as French....remembering to pay the Voluntary Obligatory Contribution, of course.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-1220916206912306432012-09-26T23:38:17.820+02:002012-09-26T23:38:17.820+02:00Plenty of deadwood in Cameron's cabinet... per...Plenty of deadwood in Cameron's cabinet... perhaps we could donate?Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133900289384226725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-24649962930583894272012-09-26T21:33:56.951+02:002012-09-26T21:33:56.951+02:00I shall never see Cameron in the same light again!...I shall never see Cameron in the same light again!<br /><br />Let us think ourselves lucky that they invent so much nonsense with which to occupy their minds...otherwise they might get busy repeating the success of their 'mission civilatrice' in Rwanda...the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-39541321307749100932012-09-26T21:27:48.210+02:002012-09-26T21:27:48.210+02:00Wryly written and eloquently stated Mme Fly. Never...Wryly written and eloquently stated Mme Fly. Never ceases to amaze me, after reading your posts, how unrivalled the French are with their seemingly endless capacity to produce truly baffling, world class, fatuitous dross with such peerlessly simple efficiency.<br /><br />Politicians and babies nappies have one essential thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for precisely the same reason. <br />Bish Bosh Bashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01311092711040714994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-87652571481247477412012-09-26T19:10:21.917+02:002012-09-26T19:10:21.917+02:00Yes...bailiffs and freezing bank accounts of the r...Yes...bailiffs and freezing bank accounts of the recalcitrant....the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-69464623506431276142012-09-26T18:55:45.343+02:002012-09-26T18:55:45.343+02:00You are one brilliant lady! I have to say, though,...You are one brilliant lady! I have to say, though, there is something compelling about their methods!The Broadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04976467218216864644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-91302861849125714662012-09-26T18:44:10.997+02:002012-09-26T18:44:10.997+02:00Only if produced in the A.O.C....and that is if ga...Only if produced in the A.O.C....and that is if gangs with vineyard tractors showing no lights have not nicked the grapes in the dim pre dawn light....<br />And people think Costa Rica is lawless...<br /><br />France used to be as you describe...the downfall of System D ruined the place...<br /><br />And yes, I was very cosy beside my Godin stove....but I find I can live quite happily without hauling in wood and taking out ashes.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-53577543641955907692012-09-26T18:37:23.124+02:002012-09-26T18:37:23.124+02:00Hello:
And are bottles of liquid labelled 'dr...Hello:<br />And are bottles of liquid labelled 'drink me' available too......otherwise voluntarily obligatorially [there is surely no such word outside Wonderland] labelled as Champagne?!!<br /><br />This all sounds so very Hungarian to our Eastern European tuned ears. Except here there is no voluntary,certainly no contribution and only obligatory when you really have lost the way out of the rabbit hole you dived down.<br /><br />Thoughts of open fires sound marvellous we have to say.........Jane and Lance Hattatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831890261259302647noreply@blogger.com