So the books have arrived (thank goodness), sixty lemons have been juiced for the cocktails and Dawn at La Grande Galerie is rustling up the canapes as I write. All is set for the launch of Toute Allure this evening, so a final reminder to any readers who find themselves in the vicinity of Civray 6.30pm-8pm this evening to come along.

The staff at the Grande Galerie s tell me they are expecting over a 100 people, and I only have 95 books, so it might be a good idea to get there early.
La Grande Galerie, 7 Rue Temple, 86400, Civray; www.grandegaleriefrance.com

comments (3)

Biff's sister Milou has been staying with us for the past week. Understandably, David looked nervous as he and Frances handed her over to me in the cafe at La Grande Galerie last Tuesday.

'The thing is, the last time we gave you a dog to look after, you didn't give it back,' he said, referring to Biff.

'Oh don't worry,' I reassured him. 'One dog is definitely enough.'

But Biff - who has been bouncing around with an extra spring in his paws and looking extra-pleased with himself all week - clearly loves the company of other dogs. He absolutely adores Milou and has been showing off non-stop, even pulling her around by her lead, as if he is taking her for a walk.

'He's going to be sad when that white dog leaves,' predicted my neighbour Arnaud.

And sure enough, when David came to collect Milou yesterday, Biff sat in front of the door and tried to block their exit. And so, not for the first time, I'm wondering, should I contact the Phoenix Rescue and get him a little furry pal?

comments (3)

The story of Biff and a sneak preview of Toute Allure can be found in the Daily Mail today. But oh dear, from the comments section, I seem to have drawn a lot of flack from DM readers, first of all for describing Biff as a 'mixed race' (race croisée) dog - which is what it says on his passport - rather than a 'mongrel' or a 'cross-breed.' I can't see why it matters myself - not everyone knows correct canine terminology - but voila.

Oh and just for the record, I have absolutely nothing against greyhounds. Whatsoever. On the contrary, I think they are very adorable, placid looking creatures. I love all kinds of dogs, even my brother's pit bull rescue dog Juggy - now sadly deceased - and not just cute, cuddly ones. The reason I didn't take Alan, the depressed greyhound from Battersea Dogs Home had nothing to do with his looks; I was more worried that he wouldn't fit into my flat.

comments (4)

The best team won tonight and justice has been done. The only one thing more shocking than the Dutch team's tactics was the Kevin Keegan perm sported by one of the Spanish players. But I'm sure he'll be forgiven, as in every other respect Spain was a class act.

I was actually quite surprised that so many of the Spanish side were still standing at the end of the game after being kicked, tripped and subjected to physical violence by their opponents for over an hour. Fifa should introduce a new rule in which any team that racks up more than five yellows gets a collective red card and has a player sent off the pitch.

comments (1)

Several times a week and sometimes twice a day, I receive a phone call that goes something like this:

'Madame Willer?' says a hopeful sounding voice on the end of the line.

'Oui,' I say, warily, 'Qui m'appelle?'

'Ah you speak English?' says the cheery voice.

'Qui m'appelle?'I repeat, trying to sound as stern as possible.

And so it goes - the caller will never reveal the company they are calling from - before I say that it's not a good moment/I'm very busy etc and hang up.

Despite being on la liste rouge, the French equivalent of being-ex directory, these calls continue to arrive with irritating frequency. Sometimes the cold-caller has the cheek to try and make you wait for the privilege of speaking to them, with a recorded message.

Still, the mispronunciations of my name do occasionally raise a smile. Most often I am addressed as Mme Wheel-air or Willer. But my favourite so far, was the caller who interrupted lunch today with a cheerful 'Mrs Wheelie?'

comments (2)

'Surely some mistake', I thought, when I spotted the sleek double-decker train parked on the platform at Lille and apparently going to Poitiers, on my way back from a trip to London last week. Until now, I have only seen these double-deckers in use on the suburban lines that serve Paris.

It turned out that it was a new, state-of-the-art TGV. Inside it was more like a boite de nuit (night club) than a train, with soft, low level lighting, plush purple and navy seating and full length mirrors (none of which, unfortunately, you can see from this picture). In the corridors there were even little velvet banquettes in alcoves, where people could use their mobile phones. It definitely had the wow factor.

Everything looked shiny, slick and super-clean. (In other words, so not the Shabsted Express.) From the vantage point of the upper deck, I had a fantastic view of green fields and golden countryside whizzing by. You have to hand it to the French: they really know how to do trains.

comments (2)

To the Grande Galerie in Civray yesterday to organise the canapes and cocktails for the launch of Toute Allure. The date has been fixed for Thursday July 29th, 6.30pm - 8.00pm (droigts croisés that my early author copies will have arrived.)

So if you find yourself in the Poitoiu-Charentes on that evening, and would like to pick up an early copy of Toute Allure, I would be delighted to see you. Soupe de champagne will be served and several of the characters from the new book will be there.

For more information, visit http://www.grandegaleriefrance.com
La Grande Galerie, 7 Rue de Temple, 86400, Civray, France.
Tel: +33 5 49 87 73 02

comments (4)

It's three weeks since I gave up alcohol and coffee and surprisingly, it is the caffeine that's proving the hardest to live without. After walking the dog this morning, I set out a bowl for his Burns pork and potato dog food, and another for my breakfast of chopped apple, yoghurt and pecan nuts. I also picked up his dinner bowl to wash it.

I then went to my desk to eat my breakfast while surfing the daily news websites. Half way through, I looked down and to my horror, realised that I was eating from a dish decorated with paw prints and emblazoned with the words 'Feed Me' - basically, Biff's (unwashed) dinner bowl. Downstairs in the kitchen, he had eaten his breakfast from a Limoges porcelain dish. Ahaghhhhg! It seems to me that some of us really do need that jolt of caffeine to wake up in the morning.

comments (5)

Never did I imagine that I would be donning a thick coat, scarf and boots to walk the dog in June. The weather in my patch of the Poitou is a washout at the moment but I've managed to think of a few good things about the French summer (ha!)

1 The scent of lime blossom trees.

2 Cherry trees laden with fruit.

3 Even better, Travis arriving with a carrier bag full of black cherries from his garden.

4 The scent of honeysuckle.

5 The sight of a duck surrounded by about ten ducklings, lying peacefully under a tree at The Mad Hatter's on Sunday. (Thank god I left Biff at home.)

6 Poppies - late this year because of the cold weather - adding sporadic hits of colour to the countryside.

7 Little white butterflies with orange-tipped wings, flitting along the grass track where I walk Biff in the morning.

8 The sight of an old stone wall almost covered with deep red and pale lemon climbing roses.

comments (3)

I phone Travis to ask if we can come over to watch the England match tonight on his huge flat-screen TV (my TV isn't much bigger than a postage stamp.)

'Do you want me to get in a crate of Newcastle Brown Ale and some pork pies as well?' he asks, rather scathingly. (Travis is not a fan of football and he can't quite believe that I am). 'And are you going to show up in a football scarf and jump up and down on the sofa, swearing at the referee?'

'No to all of the above,' I reply before jumping on his offer of a curry (I know, I know but I really can't take any more raw food or nuts - at least not without developing whiskers and a bushy tail. )

And so the evening is sorted: the England game and a Thai green curry chez Travis. Result!

comments (0)