Life In 79

“We're going to the truffle market” Anna, my wife, stated. These were not usually the words I wanted to hear on a Saturday morning after a week's work. I am a creature of comfort and enjoy nothing more than sitting on my backside watching telly; the thought of having to engage with the outside word fills me with dread. But, it was January...freezing outside and in. However many logs we chucked into the log burner the house didn't seem to warm up; I could see my breath when I entered the kitchen and had more layers than a lasagne. So the thought of driving around in the car with the heater on maximum did appeal somewhat.   The market was in Availles-Thouarsais (a small village near Airvault). From quite a way off the country roads seemed busy for a Saturday morning and the line of traffic was just going the one way. Everyone was heading to truffle town.   On our arrival I asked Anna if we could drive about a bit longer, she declined my offer. “Well if I'm good at the tru...

“Where are we meeting them?”... “The Eiffel Tower.”...“Well that shouldn't be too difficult to find.” We were in Paris for a pre Christmas 'Hoorah' with our son and his wife.   Our hotel had informed us that morning, 'due to technical problems', we were being moved to one of their sister hotels, which barely made it onto the map. But we were staying positive. Even after the taxi driver had had a go at us for not being able to pay with cash we were staying positive...even after discovering our room didn't have tea and coffee making facilities we were staying positive (nothing like a glass of tepid water first thing in the morning). We hadn't seen Murray and Emma since they announced they are having a baby in early June. We are going to become grandparents! Grandpa and Granny!   The parents-to-be were venturing up to the second floor of the tower, and as I get queasy changing a light bulb we were to meet them when they came down.   After the first of several e...