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22.6.17

BURNING THE PASSPORTS - and TRAVELLING - TWO stories in 100 words each.

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.
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And here's another story in a much lighter vein - two for the price of one this week!
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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.



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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.

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/

32 comments:

  1. Too close to the truth.

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  2. Sticking with exploring closer to home now. It's all the security checks that put me off. Necessary but stressful.

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  3. Thank you for soothing my angst with the second flash.

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  4. Dear Liz,

    Two trips to avoid. Good job on both.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  5. 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.

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  6. I particularly enjoyed the spider's perspective. It made me chuckle - Russell

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    1. Thanks Russell - I have often wondered how - and why - 'my' spider stays where he is!

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  7. Great job on both stories. Amazing how much we can pack into 100 words!

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  8. I use the Calais ferry regularly and I always wonder 'what if...' Nice one.

    My story - 'An empty bottle'

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  9. Very topical that first one, especially in light of recent news. And the second - I guess that "great adventure" was just a little too much!

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  10. Not going to stop me from visiting France next (Provence, to be exact)... This was a wonderful "two-fer" Liz!

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    1. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip - with or without your own resident spider!

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  11. Good job on both counts, but your second story has a delightful uniqueness about it I really enjoyed. --Christine G / Swallow

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  12. Good job on both counts, but your second story has a delightful uniqueness about it I really enjoyed. --Christine G / Swallow

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  13. The second story really made me smile. We're going to France in September. I really hope we don't meet any masked men!

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    1. And if you do, hope that they're scared of spiders!

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  14. I have a spider in mine too! lol

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    1. Does yours spin a droopy fishing net too?

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  15. I sincerely hope that travelling isn't THAT bad... on the other hand it's pretty nice to be home as well

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    1. You're right, Bjorn - 'East, west, home's best', as they say!

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  16. Both 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.

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    Replies
    1. They're not working hard enough in my neck of the woods!

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  17. I 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

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    1. My 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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