tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25027186537686796542024-02-07T10:25:47.176-08:00paul's chateaudeauJournalist travelling between Paris and London each week courtesy of Eurostar relates tales from two cities.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-50560105289576940132013-11-05T16:40:00.001-08:002013-11-05T16:40:47.935-08:00Respect to Claude Verlon and Ghislaine DupontI never knew Ghislaine Dupont but from the tributes flowing from all quarters, she was a top reporter.<br />
<br />
However I did know Claude. To use Jamie Redknapp's vernacular, he was a top, top, top sound technician.<br />
<br />
It seems apt to employ an ex-footballer's flourish as Claude helped me out during my first foreign assignment for RFI in Germany during the 2006 world cup.<br />
<br />
He explained the joys of obtaining sound bites from all extremities of the country by sliding them from one central pod to my personal cache on my computer.<br />
<br />
It worked a treat. But then so did many other things that he turned his hand to. There have been far more heroic stories of Claude's ingenuity, like how he set up satellite links on the top of a house in Pakistan or how he built a studio out of bits and bobs brought in by a mate from across a distant African border.<br />
<br />
His experience and exploits went before him and informed the young generation to give of their best. Debutant sound technicians at the Africa Cup of Nations toiled tirelessly because they knew what legendary standards they had to rival.<br />
<br />
Claude was a whirl of a man with dreamy, faraway eyes that belied an intense professionalism. I was never with him in the combat zones, we only trod the milder pastures of insulated press centres where the communications are more or less assured.<br />
<br />
But even in such sanitized conditions, he found adventure. Barely arrived in Beijing in 2008 to cover the Olympics for the English service, I was still acquainting myself with the ice station zebra that doubled as the International Broadcast Centre. I was about to head out from the RFI press room to go and get some coffee. As there were only a few people around I asked if anyone else fancied a cup.<br />
<br />
Claude piped up but said he had a tip to show me. I followed thinking he knew a short cut. Instead I was swept along into a labyrinth. The cafe certainly didn't seem to be getting any nearer and when I asked about the detour. The response? 'The Italians.'<br />
<br />
We arrived at the Latin quarter and - to inhabit a cliche - it was buzzing. Actually it was brewing.<br />
<br />
The coffee machines had arrived from back home and the mirth was tangible. Claude in his travels across the continents had learned that there was one thing Italian journalists would not forswear in their pursuit of a tale.<br />
<br />
And a foreigner who could commune with this was treated like a local. We took our espressos and I took note.<br />
<br />
<br />
We didn't take a coffee together in London during the last Olympics as he didn't cover them and though it seems somewhat counterintuitive should I get the Olympic assignment in Brazil - I will seek out the Italians in the Rio press centre to salute such a generous colleague.<br />
<br />
A few days into the blog I was writing for RFI from Beijing, the website editor said a picture was needed, Claude offered to take the snap. He came and found me on the terrace of the press centre cafe having a cup of tea.<br />
<br />
I struck a pose or two or three and by the time I returned to the RFI office, a dozen or so suggestions were awaiting my approval on the computer.<br />
<br />
There was doubtless an array of self-preening quips to parry a flurry of jibes but we both knew I looked good in all of them. It was the photographer. Claude chose the picture. It was the one of me with the faraway eyes. It's been on my Facebook page ever since. I guess only old age will see it removed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-54421374625627102722013-07-29T15:35:00.000-07:002013-07-29T15:35:09.176-07:00DisciplineThere's a scene in a James Bond film, I think it's Goldfinger, when Sean Connery is in the Aston Martin and he sees a pretty girl in a fast car and he wants to chase her with his throbbing torque. "Dishipline, 007, dishipline," he intones.<br />
<br />
I have been far from disciplined with the blog. But I've got no one to blame. I am a weak and venal seed.<br />
<br />
But I did take my mum out for supper and then ended up buying her some lotion that she decided she had to have. It was from some rip off shop at St Pancras International. I didn't have enough fight to say: "There is a mugs mark up."<br />
<br />
What kind of son does that? So I indulged her impulse buy. She'd been into the shop before she met me after I finished work. It's true that if I'd bought the lotion before supper, I probably wouldn't have had the second glass of wine.<br />
<br />
But I've been in a celebratory mood. There's been a floor plan rearrangement at the Guardian. My locker was shunted along a couple of feet and while this was being done, it was opened and all the stuff was taken out and put in a box.<br />
<br />
I was not told about this and when I went to look for a pullover - for it is stored in the locked - the locker door was open and there was nothing inside.<br />
<br />
All gone. Tennis racquet, tennis shoes, magazines, everything. I was peeved to say the least as the jumper was one of the things I salvaged from my dad's wardrobe after he died.<br />
<br />
It is a polyester extravaganza and it is like the type made famous in Scandi police series.<br />
<br />
Everything was eventually recovered. The box was placed on the other side of the room and a kind rearrangement supervisor ushered me to where it was.<br />
<br />
She thanked me for not being angry or aggressive.<br />
<br />
But it did strike me as a poor way to treat the employee. Not even a note on the locker door to say the stuff had been removed ...contact Jonny or Jemima X on this number.<br />
<br />
So for the best part of Sunday and until around 1.30pm on Monday I had no idea whether the stuff had been stolen or lost.<br />
<br />
I said to my mum at supper time I should sue for mental cruelty. I'd have a strong case especially with some of the stories I have to edit.<br />
<br />
I read and re-read and then wait for five minutes to wake up again and read again. They often don't make any sense. No thread.<br />
<br />
No discipline. chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-61917411628722347262013-01-20T15:38:00.001-08:002013-01-20T15:38:07.712-08:00Not so Late ShiftIt's not as late as it has been but it is still late.Must stop this. Now in Nelspruit pronounced as far as I can tell Nelsprayt.<br />
<br />
Got picked up at the airport by chance by the assistant manager of the hotel.<br />
<br />
She was there collecting someobdy else and we simply tacked outrselves in. Just as well, the hotel is up in the hills. I have started taking my malaria tables as it is a possibility.<br />
<br />
Quite honestly if mosquitoes want to come out in this sodden weather, they're idiots.<br />
<br />
Have gone throught two days of spectacular absent mindedness; First in Johannesburg on Saturday I failed to pick up my Orange freebie handout bag which had recording equipment in it. I didn't think I'd put the stuff in there because my normal bag (the bag I'd set out with that morning) still felt so heavy.<br />
<br />
Oddly, there was an Orange freebie bag right where I was sitting and I thought that was mine rather than the one plopped on a seat nearby.<br />
<br />
Odd thing is the back stayed there until someone realised it was in need of an owner. I luckily got an honest person and it found its way back to me.<br />
<br />
Left my glasses case at a press conference this afternoon. Had to go back and get that.<br />
<br />
The conference was held in the chapel of the hotel. So I guess that dissuaded any would-be thieves.<br />
<br />
I assume these lapses are to do with lack of sleep.<br />
<br />
Stupidity sets in. So on that note I will finish. Though my feeble state could generate oodles of incidents over the coming days.<br />
<br />
Not a good idea. chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-82776368684861617162013-01-18T17:15:00.000-08:002013-01-18T17:15:06.969-08:00Late Shift IdiocyIt is so late that it is too late. This is a shame as it has been a very interesting day.<br />
<br />
The press conference was fascinating. The chief executive of the local organising committee lost his rag. Really went up in flap. Some idiot journalist asked him if he was disappointed that they'd only sold 563,000 tickets out of 850,000.<br />
<br />
"We said our target was 500,000 which takes you above two thirds," he boomed. "We've gone beyond that but you're getting these questions. I really don't know what will satisfy the media."<br />
<br />
And then he went on about other things like the Olympics and the Euros not being sell outs.<br />
<br />
He has a point but clearly someone had been getting at him long before I asked for a breakdown of sales at the venues.<br />
<br />
On the subject of idiocy. I feel rather bad about being up so late. But I'll doubtless be out late after the two matches on Saturday. The second one starts at 9pm. That means that I won't be out of the mixed zone until midnight.<br />
<br />
I'm leaving for Nelspruit on Sunday. The plane leaves at 1110. And there'll doubtless be queueing.<br />
<br />
At least there's no queue to get into bed.<br />
<br />
<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-57973314165661548252013-01-17T11:24:00.002-08:002013-01-17T11:24:45.471-08:00The Flight<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Arrived in Johannesburg in one piece.
But at what cost to my equilibrium? Not the greatest of air flyers, me.. And each
time the atrocity seems to be worse. Must be old age.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Queue to
check in at Charles de Gaulle. Queue to get the passport checked. Not so much
of a queue to see if I had anything dodgy in my bag. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Queue at Johannesburg airport for
passport. Queue near Sandton Library to get my accreditation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">All in all
it is time to retire.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The flight
consisted of a meal at 1am … really used to eating hoki and mashed potato at
that time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Strangely I
had the coffee and then wondered why I managed to watch so much of the Dark
Knight Rises.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Compelling
rendition of the genre. I thought I’d grown out of my Anne Hathaway thing. But
I still have my Anne Hathaway thing and that probably explains why I couldn’t
go to sleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Men in
Black 3 did the trick though. And I was thoroughly resurgent watching Back to
the Future. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I couldn’t
resist it. The chance of seeing Brucie Willis in Looper or Michael J Fox in
Back to the Future. Well nostalgia wins out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is such
a good film or is it the conceit or the memory of the time when I saw it for
the first time?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Probably
the latter. But it meant that I gave scant consideration to being 40,000 feet up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now firmly
back on the ground and stirringly adorned with my accreditation necklace, I
prepare for the tournament.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is a
press conference at 1pm on Friday involving the local organising committee and
the Confederation of African Football, the overlords of the shindig.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span> </span>I will go along and learn. This makes sense
really since I have come all this way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">But if I
have to queue to get in …..</span></div>
chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-64312672141478100412013-01-13T08:52:00.003-08:002013-01-13T08:52:53.245-08:00On the WayIt is a shame that there's no controversy. I'd like to write: 'This is the blog that dared to tell it like it is'. But I can't.<br />
<br />
Off in a few days to South Africa to watch the Africa Cup of Nations. Will have to do lots of work while I'm out there.<br />
<br />
But since that is the reason for being sent, it would be churlish not to chip in.<br />
<br />
Once ago I wrote blogs for the radio station website. While I had fun composing them, the editor of the website was less enthusiastic. And since he's the head honcho, he calls the shots.<br />
<br />
Since that kind of rebuff, I've taken to writing in a more limited form. "Five things we learned from yesterday"; and I've gone on to recount the highs and lows of the previous day's football action.<br />
<br />
This has got lots of hits. And that's what it's all about.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping that my month away in the South African sun will also help my football. Of late it hasn't been brilliant.<br />
<br />
Worst thing was playing five a side game a couple of weeks back and injuring a calf muscle. During my absence the team won. Played yesterday and the team lost.<br />
<br />
Perhaps in the interests of team progress, it is best to be away for a month. When I return perhaps the boys will be soaring at the top of the table and I can help them descend to mid-table obscurity.<br />
<br />
Last season there was more than a flirtation with relegation to division 3. That was avoided thanks to a iconic 7-2 victory in Bagneux on the southern outskirts of Paris.<br />
<br />
I dragged the entire family to that one. They were all piled into the hire car and I played while the rest of them went off for coffee and cakes.<br />
<br />
And then off we went to the Loire.<br />
<br />
This season's league form has ensured that there shouldn't be any repetition of last season's travails.<br />
<br />
There probably won't be any danger at all until I start playing again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-50283547337136264122012-11-13T12:15:00.002-08:002012-11-13T12:15:48.227-08:00Back to LifeBack to life, back to reality .... as Soul II Soul put it ages ago when I were a lad.<br />
<br />
After a dozen or so days in London and nearly a week without the brood, I returned to Paris.<br />
<br />
Chores, administration, duties. The stiff stuff of ordinariness.<br />
<br />
Went out on Monday night in London with a mate from work. A pub called the Fellow. Fine place. Should be fined for the prices. A bag of crisps? £1.50.<br />
<br />
I still think that is a lot of money but perhaps people who live in London don't think it is. Maybe I am cheap.<br />
<br />
Anyway it was good to go out and do what journos are supposed to do. Gossip with colleagues.<br />
<br />
Cycling to south London wasn't scheduled but that is probably good for me. Don't want to be too rigid. Not with The Guardian looking for voluntary redundancies before turning the wheels which could bring compulsory redundancies.<br />
<br />
Stay flexible. Be ready to get on the bike to look for work as the tough talking Tory Norman Tebbit bellowed when I were a lad.<br />
<br />
Back then I didn't have to wear glasses. Now I do. I picked up the new pair yesterday just before playing tennis. They are beautiful. But they were not cheap.<br />
<br />
No wonder I complain about the price of crisps.<br />
<br />
<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-1256007881039781042012-11-11T12:30:00.001-08:002012-11-11T12:30:13.742-08:00RemembranceIt has got to be something significant to stir me to my blog.<br />
<br />
Of course that shouldn't be the case. I should be at it every day. But there has been a lapse.<br />
<br />
It shouldn't have happened and I will make amends.<br />
<br />
The first reminder was a piece in The Times about blogging. It said that bloggers - if they are serious - should get on with it and produce every day. If it can't be much, it has to be something.<br />
<br />
Right. And with that logic there's no excuses.<br />
<br />
The second jolt - and this was slightly more tectonic - was church this morning and a little trip out onto the green patch outside the church for the Remembrance Day laying of the wreath.<br />
<br />
I didn't look at the memorial. In fact I never knew it was there. But the congregation stood outside and sang a hymn ... Our rock in ages past ...and then we said a prayer or two to hail those who sacrificed all during the world wars so we could proceed to dishonour their efforts in our greedy, selfish society.<br />
<br />
During two minutes silence, there was a little toddler who was being anything but silent. She was jittering around walking up to the wall and back again.<br />
<br />
I thought where are the parents. Get a grip. But then I thought that really is a bit crusty. Internal tut tutting. And ironic as we were marking people who'd died so that we weren't all living in year 70 of the thousand year reich.<br />
<br />
Fortunately that game ended well before half time.<br />
<br />
And during the moments of contemplation on the church green, I thought of school and my French teacher there. A bloke called Vic Baker. The mildest of chaps. He imposed no order in his lessons and they were boisterous affairs. I remember getting threatened by the bloke sitting next to me to give him the answers to a translation - otherwise he'd punch me.<br />
<br />
It was a strange affirmation of my excellence because he knew that I was going to get the answer right. But - here's the thing - he didn't want all the answers because if he got too many correct, the teacher would have known that he'd been looking at my work. I later heard the boy had become a police man.<br />
<br />
But Vic Baker probably knew what was going on. I once mentioned the disorder in the class to a school mate's dad.<br />
<br />
The dad said that he was letting us all get away with it. And then recounted how back in a war day, the mild mannered French teacher was some top behind-the-lines commando.<br />
<br />
Even though he was getting on, he could have wiped most of us out before we'd got to nous sommes.<br />
<br />
Maybe it was just a story. But it was a good one. And one that I've kept with me all these years.<br />
<br />
Vic Baker is probably long gone from this earth. But I smiled wryly at the toddler girl.<br />
<br />
I've not been asked nor told to fight in a war. And probably am too old now to do so.<br />
<br />
The fight - as the vicar later expounded - is to make sure that we strive as much as possible for peace.<br />
<br />
I'd like to think of Vic as a youthful ruthless assassin, it contrasts so vividly with his meekness.<br />
<br />
I won't forget.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-13174817537641929462012-10-05T08:21:00.003-07:002012-10-05T08:21:27.511-07:00The RestI swapped shifts with a colleague and it has been instructive. I worked for him on Tuesday and so I've been off today.<br />
<br />
'Off' is a loose way to regard things. Clearly I should have been off on Tuesday because I woke up this morning - no this is not a Blues song - and was so exhausted by the amount of administration that was looming into sight that I went out for breakfast.<br />
<br />
I came back, opened a few files, arranged a few bank statements - the children seem to have more money than me - and then decided I'd had enough.<br />
<br />
I went back to bed and slept. Obviously all too much for a frail petal like me.<br />
<br />
But since my restart I've felt energised. Lunched well and in the still quiet before the wars (the children) arrive, I can dally with my blog and feel there has been achievement.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I felt enhanced by a note from one of my doctors to his colleague.<br />
<br />
My main doctor - let's call her Dr Chaumie - since that is her name - was away one summer and her replacement Dr Dumazy - no not made up - was her replacement.<br />
<br />
When he met me you could see the euro signs roll round in his eyes. I said I needed a doctor's note because I wanted to play in the Roland Garros journalists' tournament. I also required a note to say that my heart was OK for football.<br />
<br />
Dr Dumazy whipped out his cardiogramme and before I knew it I looked like one of the Borg.<br />
<br />
The squiggles weren't right. "This calls for expensive testing," I muttered to myself and sure enough I was steered towards a cardiologue.<br />
<br />
Now any self-respecting man of a certain age should have a cardiologue. And this one put even more terminals onto my extremities.<br />
<br />
As far as I remember there was something which wasn't right but it wasn't wrong. I was sent away and told not to worry as it could be my ethnology.<br />
<br />
Ah that be serious then.<br />
<br />
Three years later. Doc Chaumie was on her summer hols and when I made the appointment with Dr Dumazy, I thought he'd dust off the cardioscam.<br />
<br />
Not even. We chatted Olympic games as he cut to the chase and wrote a note to the cardiologue of yore.<br />
<br />
At least he put in the note that I was 'sportif'. Which is probably Hippocratic oath code for you book the table and the drinks are on me.<br />
<br />
<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-91051279328583475632012-07-16T06:37:00.001-07:002012-07-16T06:37:42.930-07:00End of the DreamI am disappointed. I've just received an email from the Olympic site organisers informing me that the entrance near Hackney wick overground station is to close. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That is a shame as it was very near the press centre and didn't involve running the retail gauntlet at Stratford. There are rather loftily entitled places called the Eastern, Western and Southern Gates. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But they don't seem to be near any of the much hyped transport hubs. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I can only assume this is being done for safety reasons and we can't complain about that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Were I looking to create a stir I would dub this Gategate. It's a scandal that we're being funnelled into tight spots.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I really shouldn't complain. I've just seen in the Guardian that The Voice - Britain's biggest selling and oldest newspaper for the Black community - isn't being given accreditation for the Olympic stadium.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The paper is outraged as there are vast numbers of British athletes with Afro Caribbean backgrounds. The paper does have three other reporters allowed to roam the games but many wondrous things will happen inside the stadium and the paper won't be there to witness it at first hand.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Voicegate and Gategate - all within about 20 minutes. And with the continuing rain lashing down on our fair capital, we are on the cusp of a Watergate.</div>chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-18591023839942801712012-07-15T07:37:00.001-07:002012-07-16T06:39:59.587-07:00The Rain<div style="text-align: left;">
It was the wettest June on record and if the 15 days of July are anything to go by, it will be the soggiest July since records began.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So what?
The tour of the athletes' village was a sun-kissed journey into the sustainable future.
There was the bus which got lost on the way to the village from the media centre. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were the hurried interviews with the athletes' village mayor Charles Allen and there were the perfectly hidden toilets.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But most of all there was the green. Massive open spaces and a swathe of trees. When the athletes have departed, the area will be renamed East Village and be home to all kinds of incomes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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That's enough to regenerate the cockles of my heart.</div>chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-68249337709264348612012-07-10T04:28:00.003-07:002012-07-16T06:42:00.583-07:00The Football DadMy life as a football dad started on Monday July 9.
It began in absentia.<br />
<br />
I was in London while registration for football lessons for the boy was in Paris.<br />
<br />
It meant that the missus had to stand in line for 47 hours for the lad to get on the course.
I felt this was an abandonment of my paternal role.<br />
<br />
It will be the missus who has to take him to the course as I will still be shuffling around the park on Saturday mornings when it all begins.<br />
<br />
Strange really. At least there won't be any chance of living out my dreams through him for the moment.
I couldn't become part of the Olympic Family in absentia. I went to the Olympic Park this morning to get my accreditation put into a lovely plastic holder.<br />
<br />
I also put my name down for a trip round the athletes' village on Thursday. I will find out later if I have been accepted. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will be there on Thursday.
That should be interesting.<br />
<br />
The park looks wonderful. They're still putting the finishing touches to it. And for the most part the helpers look helpful.<br />
<br />
Going to the park from Stratford is a set a set-up. You have to run the gauntlet of shops and the urge to succumb to expenditure is immense. I faltered by the Cafe Nero.
A macchiato and croissant were enough to gird my loins for the trip inside the fence or into the heart of the family - the international broadcast centre.<br />
<br />
Once there I was sent off to the accreditation office and it was so painless. But then I've been used to accreditation centres at the Africa Cup of Nations.
So anything other than that is going to appear scintillating in its efficiency.<br />
<br />
There is another bonus to the Olympic dream. I am allowed to travel in the six zones of London for free until August 15.
Quite what happens if you want to go to Hampden Park in Glasgow to see the football is a mystery.<br />
<br />
If you have to pay, that will be a deep hole into any company's pockets. A snap train journey in Britain isn't cheap.<br />
<br />
Might perhaps send you into a depression. Still I know one place where you can shop your way out of the anxiety.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-88177469645412782832012-04-23T13:40:00.003-07:002012-04-23T14:39:57.852-07:00The ConfirmationThere's been far too much fun in the house of late. And I've been living a life far beyond normality. Went to church and had the bishop confirm me along with about 16 other people.<br /><br />A few were being baptised and it was all very Italian with god parents hanging around, photographers and there was a moment when I didn't seem to have room to kneel at the front to get me blessing. Oh woe. I muscled a little place and the bishop did his thing.<br /><br />The family came and the boy did the decent thing and fell asleep about 15 minutes into the extravaganza. Must have had something to do with the party the night before.<br /><br />Well if there was ever a good reason to stay out till 2am, that was it. So out we went for food after the confirmation service and Le Grand Corona was serene. Said hello to the boss and sympathised with him as he'd just come down with angina. Next thing we know we were being offered aperos on the house.<br /><br />All that was left was to send the children up to him to say thank you.<br /><br />Come Monday and it was lunch with the eldest after her tennis lesson.<br /><br />As we sat in the restaurant, I said my what a life is this. Sunday supper in the 8th, Monday lunch in the 16th. By this reckoning I will be skint by Tuesday and on the bread and cheese. <br /><br />Or perhaps that should be bread and wine.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-28277369776301942552012-04-18T12:28:00.002-07:002012-04-18T12:39:30.377-07:00The Holiday part IIIWow wines galore. In fact it was a hyper market of the stuff at a place called the Cave des vins. Fortunately it was not underground. Had enough of subterranean ventures at the chateau at Breze. A chateau beneath the chateau was its unique selling point. And we wended through caverns and dungeons and underground bakeries. Would be a god place for a party or a film. But it was grey and cold and they must have suffered in days of old.<br /><br />Loire version 2012 is not as hot as Loire version 2011. But 2011 was mighty warm and that was freaky. I have enough layers so that is a good thing.<br /><br />And the owners have set the heating on. So it's cosy in the morning and not horrific at night. In between it means that you have to go out or get chilly. <br /><br />But with so many chateau to choose from who would want to stay in. Chinon, Breze. Whar a wonderland.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-8139581547641315332012-04-16T12:52:00.002-07:002012-04-16T12:59:43.754-07:00The Holiday Part IIWhat I've always found fascinating about self catering holidays is the self catering.<br /><br />But of course to do this means a trip to the hyper market or travelling with a car load of food. As we did not voyage packed with vittels, Monday has meant a trip to the Super U. Super it was was and U it was cold.<br /><br />I can't argue with that really but I thought I'd gone into the tundra. When you end up doing the shopping in gloves you know that they take their food conservation seriously.<br /><br />It fair knocked me out. I had to retire for a siesta while the children watched Harry Potter part 3. Something to do with the prisoner of Azerbaijan. <br /><br />The eldest let slip that she found Harry Potter quite attractive. Might have something to do with the fact that he is the hero and solves problems. Guess I know what type of bloke she'll be bringing home in the future. <br /><br />Man of action. That should really help send me into decrepitude. But I think I can do that very well myself.<br /><br />The moustache project doesn't seem to be progressing apace.<br /><br />But this is not something you can really do anything about. I looked at the table for the football team and from what I can gather the team is in the relegation zone, not on the fringes of it but actually in the zone with three games to go.<br /><br />I sincerely hope the star players will be available for the crunch three matches otherwise it is division 3 next season and that would be a real drag. Might win some games.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-86281680322719997362012-04-15T09:03:00.002-07:002012-04-15T09:18:15.056-07:00The HolidayTo the Loire. What kind of glory lies there? Wine country so you can't go wrong. Well I probably can. I am being encouraged by my family to grow a moustache. <br /><br />I find this very odd behaviour because there is nothing in my approach that screams moustache. <br /><br />But I am going along with the binge because it would be churlish not to. Sadly I am not the kind of man that can grow a moustache. I am not hirsute. <br /><br />Great shame. <br /><br />I've taken solace in an annual pass for Fontevraud abbey. It cost 25 euros and is only 1 euro more expensive than getting in with the entire crowd. This is bargain country for at Fontevraud rest great kings and queens of France and England.<br /><br />I first visited Fontevraud more than 20 years ago when I was in another (moustacheless) incarnation. And then they were at the start of their great renovation project.<br /><br />Needless to say that over two decades they've restored a large part of the ruins and now they even have a couple of cafes. Great history and coffee.<br /><br />The thing is that we only get down to the Loire once a year but if we visit Fontevraud twice during the visit we'd be quids in. <br /><br />There are chateaux galore to visit. Not quite sure what kind of state I'm going to be in.<br /><br />The trip was preceded by a football match with the team. We are in a relegation dogfight. And though we won, the teams in front of us won so we're not really that much better off though a lot better off than we would be had we lost.<br /><br />I must console myself with that. The next three matches will make or break the season.<br /><br />UEFA Champions league? Well that's straightforward. English Premier League....Manchester United are five points clear. Veterans B division. It's squeaky bum time to cite a footballing knight.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-30146572219203026952011-12-22T13:31:00.000-08:002011-12-22T13:43:25.338-08:00HackeryA kindly couple of souls contacted me today to tell me that it seemed my email account had been hijacked. They'd received some messages about viagra supplies from Canada. <br /><br />I tried to take action but failed. Rather apt really. I waited and hoped it wouldn't happen again.<br /><br />And it hasn't happened again since this morning. Better check my entire online data facilties.<br /><br />Currently just waiting for the results of the African Footballer of the Year as decided by continental coaches. The ceremony is taking place in Accra and André Ayew, Yaya Touré and Seydou Keita are up for the award.<br /><br />It seems a long way to go for Touré who's Manchester City side are in action in a few days but these are young fit men. They probably don't fly economy and are more thank likley to have a couple of private jets around.<br /><br />Travel by air has been banned by the bosses at the radio station. They want their charges to take any other means as the airlines haven't passed Euro safety standards.<br /><br />As I'm not the happiest of flyers, this is fine by me.<br /><br />But I've just tried to print something at work and the printers don't seem to be functioning. <br /><br />Maybe they should go through some Euro checks.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-73190915080644570482011-12-11T06:16:00.000-08:002011-12-11T06:25:59.330-08:00The SilenceThought I'd better resuscitate the blog just as I approach a period of not travelling between Paris and London. Must be something to do with the time of year. Lots of the newspapers are doing their Year's Best Books/Albums/Concerts.<br /><br />The brand that is Me is nowhere near performing that kind of thing. I am though interested in how the eurozone is melting down. What will having less money mean. Will we be unable to put food on the table. Will we all become feral as we scrap for the titbits of the rich?<br /><br />No idea. I guess I will just have to continue doing all the usual things until it is all over. <br /><br />Under these circumstances going to church made an awful lot of sense. Great hymns, crazy smells and utterly rational since no one here on earth seems to have a clue.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-66443702265683823662011-10-18T02:26:00.000-07:002011-10-18T02:45:44.987-07:00The QuizI've been bemused by the Patrice Evra v Luis Suarez race hate allegations. According to Evra, Suarez directed racist obscenities at him during the Liverpool v Manchester United crunch last Saturday afternoon. Suarez, who's from Uruguay, has been denying it left right and Facebook that he did no such thing. He loves everyone, he says.<br /><br />One thing is for sure Suarez would not be met by enthusiastic hordes were he to travel to Ghana. His handball on the line prevented them from scoring a goal in the dying seconds of the world cup quarter final. Asamoah Gyan, then missed the subsequent penalty and Uruguay ultimately won the penalty shoot out.<br /><br />That's just the background. It suggests he is up for gamesmanship. But that does not necessarily lead to racist abuse. <br /><br />But why not. If you're capable of sticking your hand up and stopping a goal - terribly bad form - what's to say that you can't string a few words together? Or as Evra suggest, the same slur 10 times.<br /><br />But maybe Evra didn't hear right. Maybe Suarez uttered no such obscenities.<br /><br />Evra is no goodies two shoes. He was part of the maniacal French team that entered a reality fug at the last world cup in South Africa. All had something to do with the coach Raymond Domenech, the striker Nicolas Anelka and a subsequent boycott of a training session. Classy.<br /><br />Is my point that footballers are strange beasts. Yes they are. Rich, pampered and very skilful too.<br /><br />Readers of the blog will know that I shuffle around a field of a Saturday morning. In the seven or eight years that I've been doing that, I've never been racially abused. <br /><br />I have never racially abused anyone either. I would have to learn a whole welter of vocabulary that is not in my usual realm and I would have to learn it from people who themselves know how to be abusing towards North Africans and presumably the white French with whom I play.<br /><br />It sounds like a lot of effort. But maybe Suarez has the kind of infrastructure that allows him access to racist obscenities.<br /><br />But I do know one thing. If Evra has made it all up, he'll have a lot of black people calling him names too.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-73324561169904923152011-10-17T07:12:00.000-07:002011-10-17T07:26:28.012-07:00The LawThere used to be an advert on TV about how a dog wasn't just for Christmas, it was for life. I really should try and apply the same discipline to this blog.<br /><br />Neglect. Pure and simple. It's just not right. And there is so much to write about.<br /><br />The football for starters. New season is up and running and two games in have brought a win and a draw. I've scored two goals (in the match we lost) and am now injured (the match we won).<br /><br />As I cajoled my strained right thigh muscle towards the railway station on Saturday, I thought just how painful would this be if we had lost. I was pained the week before when we lost and I am in pain when we win. So the leitmotif? <br /><br />Football is pain. Tennis doesn't seem to be produce so much agony. Perhaps just the angst of learning so many new things. But that's no bad thing.<br /><br />I ought to try and get a bit more with it.<br /><br />Ace journalist and writer Jonathan Wilson was in Paris last week for the France v Bosnia match. I took advantage of his presence to do an interview with him for the radio station and go out for lunch. <br /><br />By the time I emailed him to alert him to the interview, he replied he'd already had the link up on his Twitter page.<br /><br />I plan to take six months off travelling between Paris and London. <br /><br />Forget football and tennis, I need to to embrace digitalia.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-25406436397060458252011-09-25T04:24:00.000-07:002011-09-25T04:29:21.898-07:00New SeasonThis could be construed as having something to do with the fashion shows. But the truth is sporting. Football sporting. Or rather my pallid attempt to be on a football field and playing something like the rudiments of the game.<br /><br />It was a friendly against the team that won the division last season. They have been promoted and quite frankly I'm glad to see the back of them.<br /><br />They were just too good. I hope they prosper in the first division. <br /><br />For my pains I got a bruised cheekbone and somehow a bruised bicep. It was all so frightening when compared to the tennisfest I've been having of late.<br /><br />Clearly I will have to toughen up if I am to survive the midfield engine room.<br /><br />The good thing is there won't be as many teams as fast and furious as Saturday's opponents.chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-35071866981677203102011-09-04T04:00:00.000-07:002011-09-04T04:07:38.501-07:00Season's EndIt feels as if it's all over before it begins. First run-out of the football season on Saturday and I can't say it bodes well for the coming months.
<br />
<br />Felt a twinge in the left leg and retired to defence and into the goal. to prevent any further damage since I was due to play tennis later that afternoon.
<br />
<br />With the Roland Garros journalists' event coming up, this is no way to go into a major championship.
<br />
<br />That's what I tell myself. But this is what six weeks without yoga class does to me.
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<br />Altogether now. Om.
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<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-45807146105146733912011-09-04T03:31:00.000-07:002011-09-04T04:00:14.980-07:00High StuffWhat a whirl it's been. it feels positively pedestrian to be in the Wellcome Centre overlooking the Euston Road traffic bonanza. But time has come to take a rest.
<br />
<br />I resisted the temptation on Friday night to bid for any of the lots at an auction at the Royal Monceau Hotel. The sale was in aid of the New Zealand Earthquake Relief Fund and some tasty gifts had been donated. There was champagne, some sculptures from the legendary French captain Jean Pierre Rives - now an established artist and a watch from Bulgari.
<br />
<br />I shoved the radio station's microphone in front of a few people including the New Zealand ambassador and they responded.
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<br />The Bulgari watch went for around 20,000 euros, more than 10,000 euros above the list price. The champagnes by contrast wre more reasonable.
<br />
<br />And after hearing figures in the thousands, hearing hundreds seemed ludicrously low. Still I wasn't tempted.
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<br />However I did succumb to the champagne. Some Pommery numbers before and more Pommery after the sale. There was a chef stirring up a risotto and all manner of lovely things.
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<br />I surveyed the firmament and thought if I stay here I can feast, so I decamped back to the radio station's more modest canteen well out of harm's way.
<br />
<br />If the stairs and the atrium are anything to go by, I won't be hanging out anytime soon at the Royal Monceau. Way out of my league.
<br />
<br />Hanging in high end hotels shouldn't naturally lead on to high church. But the early train from Paris brought me into London in time to catch the service at St Panras Old Church.
<br />
<br />The priest's sermon was on the essence of forgiveness, punishment and the like. He preached on the back of going to a meeting on Friday involving community groups and the police on how to react to the riots in London and elsewhere.
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<br />A police superintendent attended the pow-wow to give it the enforcement perspective. And presumably the priest was there to inject a spiritual nuance to the proceedings.
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<br />If it costs £100,000 to keep somebody in prison, the priest wondered whether that kind of money would be better spent on re-educating some of the wrongdoers.
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<br />I guess that the post riot lust is for drooling vengeance rather than pragmatic perspective.
<br />
<br />I was reading the Sunday Times on the train over and one of the columnists mentioned the British prime minister's gambit of 'tough love'.
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<br />And why not - as the film critic Barry Norman was wont to say.
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<br />As long as it's dispensed on miscreants throughout the social strata. But I just don't see that happening.
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<br />chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-75544645524843762272011-08-29T06:26:00.000-07:002011-08-29T06:34:27.471-07:00Shock And AweWent off to see some former colleagues on Sunday night. The rendez vous was in Highbury and strangely enough the streets were deserted. WAs it the Bank Holiday or was it the 8-2?
<br />
<br />Who knows. I have got a pile of papers to see what the pundits say. The Daily Telegraph's front page splash: Call to legalise assisted suicide could equally be applied to the Arsenal performance.
<br />
<br />But we must not mingle the genres. That would be crass.
<br />
<br />To domestic things. I have discovered a little slice of mediterranean chic just near Waterloo. Lots of pot plants, shrubs and strong coffee. Curious name of Ev. But it is just behind Southwark station.
<br />
<br />Went there with the missus. Rather a shame that the climate in London is hardly mediterranean at the moment. But if you want that kind of sun, then you go to the mediterranean. Really rather logical that.
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<br />Just as logical as giving the three darlings to my mother for the day, so that I can go to work.
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<br />Hang on I think I've missed a trick somewhere. chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2502718653768679654.post-35880720235691019042011-08-28T11:58:00.000-07:002011-08-28T12:07:52.032-07:00End of SummerYou know it's the end of the holidays when football is on the tele again. I watch the highly paid professionals and wonder about the coming season at the lower end of the food chain. Will I have the stamina? Will I score a different type of goal? Will I score? Can I pass the ball?
<br />
<br />With the emphasis of late on purely personal games such as tennis, the question really is will I cope with a team game?
<br />
<br />As the world athletics championships unfold in South Korea with shock, awe and drama, it seems odd to be in Europe rather than in the ring for the radio station reporting from the arena.
<br />
<br />I would have seen disqualifications galore. Who would have thought that Usain Bolt would be disqualified from the 100 metres sprint. But then who would have thought that Arsenal would lose 8-2 at Old Trafford.
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<br />I have seen it all now. Destruction. I am warming to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger's philosophy of open misery. It's compelling theatre.
<br />
<br />And the great thing is that it is bound to continue. There's no one else that can bring them the kind of football they're used to now. And no-one else can cope with the players that they've got. Catch-22 if ever I saw one.
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<br />Football, bloody hell as Sir Alex Ferguson once said. It's supposed to be a game. But three matches in I feel worn out by the Premier League and we're not even out of August.
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<br />Maybe my intensity will drop once I get up and playing again.
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<br />Then it really will be the end of summer. chateau d'eauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699040369780133828noreply@blogger.com0