A Lucky Escape

[Gardian]

Our neighbours are a dear couple - as good as you'd hope to get. Bit of a weakness over cars though.

Over the years that we've been here, the number of cars that they've owned and had present around and about the place has been up to five.

One was towed away a year or so ago, and another (the one that was last seen with flames licking from under the bonnet) has been loaned to one of their sons. Another is a death-trap lurking in the undergrowth.

That leaves two. One of these was last known to have mice and a wasp's nest inside it, so not the 'car of choice'.

The fifth was the only car that worked. We returned from the UK last week to learn that Michel had gone out in it on a frosty evening the day before we got back. Within 1km of the house, he skidded on some ice, wiped out a retaining wall, and roiled the car 15m and 3 or 4 times down a 45 degree bank in to the river. Luckily, someone saw it happen (or saw his headlights poking in to the air) and clambered down the bank to help him out.

He was unhurt, despite not wearing his seatbelt. The airbag hadn't gone off.

It might have been a bit of ice, but in truth he must have been going too fast. A tragedy averted. I told him that it was just as well we returned the day after and then we could have been there for his funeral.

The French aren't keen on black humour!