The French Renovation

Yes, you're absolutely right, of course.  I'm lying. Firstly, if I would like to take my Mistubishi Shogun to come and live in France with me, I must obtain a Certificate of Conformity. This is often just a matter of contacting the manufacturer and asking politely for this piece of paper, and they send it to you, free of charge, within a week. If you own a Ford, this can be true. If you own a Mercedes, the CoC (Yes, that's what I'm calling it, in true James May fashion...) comes with the owner's manual. So, what is the arrangement with Mitsubishi UK? Samantha says I must fill in a form, pay her £120, and wait three weeks for the bit of paper. She says that the £120 is the administration fee. What are they doing? Getting Alexander McQueen (yes, I know he's no longer with us, but his minions squirrel on) to gold-leaf it and stud it with jewels? I'm making Samantha wait. I can't bring myself to send off the money. In fact, what I'm actually doing is

Bruno, Chief of Police, has a website (http://www.brunochiefofpolice.com), and through Bruno's blog, you can sometimes speak to the marvellous Mr Walker himself. Look! He responded to my little comment! Yes, my comment was a bit twee... Oh, now I feel that I've exposed to all my stalker side. I'm a Walker Stalker. 

The time is approaching with a gentle, bittersweet tread. We've sold our cottage in Kent (Yes, I can hardly believe it either! I don't want to talk about it too much, in case it muddies the waters and messes up the exchange of contracts), and we're shedding unnecessary belongings, via: e-bay  Oxfam (A lot of sacks went here, due to Kevin having a bit of clear out of his collection of XL tee-shirts!) family members who have been using our spare bedroom as storage the bin We're on our way, France! Have a swift Ricard or two before we arrive, as Kevin will be unleashing his new French words on you and yours. It will hurt you a bit. It hurts me. But let me speak of more pleasant things! It is time to immerse myself back into rural France through the pages of Martin Walker's latest Bruno novel... Ah, what bliss! And to whet my appetite, the Sunday Times published an article this week on British crime-writers based in the Dordogne. Look: The magnifyin