9th September 2008

Did you read about that Frenchman who had invented his own jet-powered wings to fly across the Channel? He told everyone that this was how we'd all be travelling in the future. Couldn't help but wonder where we'd put the children, the dogs and the shopping. The world needs to do something, though, to ease road congestion. I mean, that was the reason we left the UK. - too many people and too many cars. In contrast, here in rural France, if I need to get to a 9 a.m. appointment on a Monday morning, there's not another car on the road. Yes, really. Of course, as with most countries, France's capital city has enormous road congestion. Driving in Paris is the equivalent of hell - it's a beautiful city but should be avoided at all costs when driving. And don't even think of trying to park. There's a place at the top of the Champs Elysees called the Place Charles de Gaulle/Etoile which is particularly bad, being the worst free-for-all in the whole of Europe. It's a vast roundabout where 12 roads converge, all with priorite a droite. Apparently if you have the misfortune to have an accident there, responsibility is automatically shared equally between the drivers concerned, irrespective of who had the theoretical right of way. Similarly, avoid the Boulevard peripherique, which runs around Paris. It's an 8-lane race track with Le Mans delusions. Avoid: unless you've a death wish. To try and help, in June each year the French Ministry of Transport issues a 'wily bison' map (carte de bison fute). Not sure how that can help. (No, you can't wash your hands in a 'bison', H.). What have bisons got to do with it, anyway? When I saw it, I thought I was back in Maine!