Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tears. We fell silent, deeply touched by this admission and as he surveyed us with his work-
ing orb a warm smile gradually spread across his face.
“But now, until I sell my property, I use my hunting hides to watch the animals and
shoot at my neighbours when they come trespassing on my land to shoot
my gibier!
”
With that he turned back to the jeep chortling happily and beckoned for us to follow,
announcing his intention to show us the lake behind the house.
Our descent to the lake was calm enough but had required the permanent use of both
hand and foot brakes to tackle the gradient. The lake itself was large and had sloping banks
leading down to the water's edge. Strangely,
monsieur
then began a series of not very in-
tricate manoeuvres which turned the car around and caused us to edge ever closer to the
water's edge.
I looked at Thierry quizzically for some kind of explanation. He had a brief exchange
with
monsieur
and we were then told that it was his custom to reverse back the final few
metres because it was easier to unload his fishing equipment this way. There was no ques-
tion of any fishing going on today, so it did seem a rather unnecessary process and particu-
larly so because it was fast becoming very boggy at the water's edge.
The inevitable outcome was entirely predictable. As we rolled backwards the old ja-
lopy veered sideways on a slippery stretch of mud.
Monsieur
, in his masterful efforts to
counteract this sliding motion, did that characteristically French thing and promptly stalled
the engine. Unfortunately, although we were on a steepish bank and the engine had stopped,
the jeep had not. As it began slipping gently, almost imperceptibly, towards the water's
edge, I experienced one of those dreadful feelings of
déjà vu
and knew what the unavoid-
able result would be.
Jack noticed my expression and leaned over.
“Don't worry,” he said, “there's an electric winch on the front!”
Whilst always impressed by Jack's technical knowledge, I'd yet to hear of a winch that
came equipped with scuba gear. As luck would have it I was sitting in the back on the side
with no door.
“I'm out of here,” I hissed to Jack and stepped onto the remaining piece of
terra firma
.
“Lovely lake, Thierry,” I added aloud to that gentleman, “but it's a little early for a swim.
I'll just go and find the dogs and see you back at the house.”
I knew these three strapping blokes would be fine and could easily handle the task of
getting the vehicle out one way or the other, even if the rusty old winch was eventually
required. But I did feel a hint of regret for Thierry and his hand-stitched brogues, which
would probably never be the same again.
Back at the house the front door was open, so I ventured in, allured by wonderful
smells wafting from the kitchen. I found
madame
, with Sam cemented to her foot, in the
midst of preparing a huge meal. I couldn't believe my eyes. There was food everywhere!
