BURNING THE PASSPORTS
It was supposed to be a day of
relaxation – drive into the French countryside, eat moules in a tree-shaded cafė, stock up with goodies and head home.
It was dark when we zigzagged through
burning tyres, dodging masked men brandishing weapons.
“They only stop lorries,” Dave said,
just before a torch blinded him and the door was wrenched open. Not a gendarme in sight as our wine hit the
road and two men squeezed into the boot.
“We have guns,” they said, “Drive.”
If we don’t end up in prison I’m
burning our passports.
........................................................................................................
And here's another story in a much lighter vein - two for the price of one this week!
........................................................................................................
TRAVELLING
Miles on the motorway, far too fast –
anything over fifty upsets my digestion. Then, after hours in a smelly ship,
we’re driving on the wrong side of the
road!
And here's another story in a much lighter vein - two for the price of one this week!
........................................................................................................
TRAVELLING
I was happy in that quiet close –
trees for shade, some lovely flowers, and the cats kept the birds at a
respectful distance. The furthest we travelled was to a local market – nothing
too adventurous, until we went on a day trip to France.
Miles on the motorway, far too fast –
anything over fifty upsets my digestion. Then, after hours in a smelly ship,
we’re driving on the wrong side of the
road!
The moment we got home I moved out.
The people next door never go anywhere – I’ll be much safer living behind their wing mirror.
.....................................................................................................
One of the treats I looked forward to when we returned to England was a day trip to France such as we used to enjoy in the 1990s. Though the news reports are no doubt exaggerated, with the turmoil that fills our present world, the very idea now fills me with dread.
The second tale? Well, that cobweb appears with predictable regularity on my car, and on one occasion I actually spotted the spider nipping back behind the mirror. Which I can't take out, so he stays, living an exciting life in the fast lane and catching flying insects in his seine net.
The second tale? Well, that cobweb appears with predictable regularity on my car, and on one occasion I actually spotted the spider nipping back behind the mirror. Which I can't take out, so he stays, living an exciting life in the fast lane and catching flying insects in his seine net.
These stories were prompted by Ted Strutz's photo posted on Rochelle's blog for Friday Fictioneers. To read other stories, follow the links from https://rochellewisoff.com/
Too close to the truth.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately yes.
DeleteSticking with exploring closer to home now. It's all the security checks that put me off. Necessary but stressful.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a good idea to stay UK.
DeleteThank you for soothing my angst with the second flash.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Helen x
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteTwo trips to avoid. Good job on both.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Don't believe the news, you can still enjoy a good trip to France for the day - at least until they decide what Brexit actually means for travelling that is! Good write.
ReplyDeleteThanks Iain - I'll bear that in mind!
DeleteI particularly enjoyed the spider's perspective. It made me chuckle - Russell
ReplyDeleteThanks Russell - I have often wondered how - and why - 'my' spider stays where he is!
DeleteGreat job on both stories. Amazing how much we can pack into 100 words!
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth!
DeleteI use the Calais ferry regularly and I always wonder 'what if...' Nice one.
ReplyDeleteMy story - 'An empty bottle'
I hope it never happens, KEith.
DeleteVery topical that first one, especially in light of recent news. And the second - I guess that "great adventure" was just a little too much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Alistair.
DeleteNot going to stop me from visiting France next (Provence, to be exact)... This was a wonderful "two-fer" Liz!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip - with or without your own resident spider!
DeleteGood job on both counts, but your second story has a delightful uniqueness about it I really enjoyed. --Christine G / Swallow
ReplyDeleteGood job on both counts, but your second story has a delightful uniqueness about it I really enjoyed. --Christine G / Swallow
ReplyDeleteThe second story really made me smile. We're going to France in September. I really hope we don't meet any masked men!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you do, hope that they're scared of spiders!
DeleteI have a spider in mine too! lol
ReplyDeleteDoes yours spin a droopy fishing net too?
DeleteI sincerely hope that travelling isn't THAT bad... on the other hand it's pretty nice to be home as well
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Bjorn - 'East, west, home's best', as they say!
DeleteBoth stories are great but I do like the spider story. I try to save as many as I can. They keep the bug population down.
ReplyDeleteThey're not working hard enough in my neck of the woods!
DeleteI don't look forward to traveling anymore. It's become a burden. I can see why you're wary of traveling in France these days. I'm in India and it's listed among the dangerous countries to travel. I stay at home. Both good stories, Liz. Good writing. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteMy Anglo-Indian friend travelled in India - with her husband - to track down her family. Some of the stories she told were hair-raising, especially the train journeys, though she never felt in danger!
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ReplyDelete