Friday, July 07, 2006

There’s no such thing as a free lunch

A few days ago I noticed that our on-line wine supplier, Tesco’s, has a Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais on a very special offer, so, being partial to the odd lightly-chilled Beaujolais at this time of the year – and a cheapskate - I ordered a couple of cases for delivery next week.
Then I heard on the French news that Duboeuf – the biggest Beaujolais shipper - is being investigated on the charge of having adulterated his Beaujolais with non-Beaujolais grape: cheap old Gamays and such. No wonder it was on sale. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

I was reminded of this when the story broke about John Prescott, our revered deputy prime minister (a sort of English Dick Cheyney but without the same air of scrupulous honesty) and his recent all-inclusive tours. John influences the future use of a multi-billion pound white elephant called the Millennium Dome – although he says he doesn’t. (I mean, what does a deputy prime minister NOT influence?) Hence it is interesting that he has spent a night at the ranch of the purchaser of said dome, who plans to turn it into a super-casino.
Now you may not believe this, but I’m not implying that the billionaire and the politician spent the evening sipping Gallo Brothers’ products while plotting the future revenues of the casino and the participation of the Yorkshire tripper therein . I’m only saying: there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

It must be the anniversary season for battles. We’ll be off-line for the next few days - in Budapest taking the medicinal waters and commemorating our wedding. So hasta la vista, or viszontlátásra as it says in the Lonely Planet guide. Have a great weekend - even if France do win the football and the women's tennis.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have fun in Budapest, and Happy Anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Don't forget your swimming cozzies for the famous baths ... unless you intend to take to the waters separately when it is de rigeur to go au naturel (in the eau naturel)... now where has that French theme crept in from?

Have a wonderful time both of you and happy anniversary

Tuscan Traveller said...

Thanks guys. It'll be cozzies Gillie - we've got too much to hide.