Today I go for scooter training in Melle. It’s about 1/2 an hour away. This is for a job 2 days a week delivering those leaflets called, in English, Junk Mail. Must go, I need to get there at 10.

Afterwards I will try and get my tax form for the UK validated by the French. I wonder what my chances are? If you know about the French bureaucratic system you can guess the answer! I believe the word ‘bureaucracy’ is of French origin...

ps. I don’t have a picture of a scooter (yet) so the above will have to do.

Later that day:

Amazing! the French tax office saw me immediately, worked out who I was, had my file to hand, checked some details, and kept the UK form until I fill in this year’s tax form- after which they will send off the UK form for me. Half an hour and all settled- how many guessed that answer?

And then, an email. I start scootering next week subject only to the trainer being available. More amazement!