Saturday, 1 December 2018

L'administraaation française

Another tax demand from Carcassonne a couple of weeks ago for property tax and TV licence fee for 2018. As on numerous past occasions, I replied that I no longer own property in France, and haven't since 2017.  Well, following my increasingly snotty response, I think I now have a full pack of letters saying that I have been accordé un dégrèvement in relation to all three taxes.  Given that I was liable to none of the taxes in the first place, to say that I've been 'granted a rebate/relief' is a bit rich.  Still, all's well that ends well, though I'm down by the cost of a couple of stamps - and wait to see whether I'm billed again in 2019.

On the subject of postage, we went and bought the stamps for this year's Christmas cards yesterday.  The standard card and envelope weighed in at 11g (which prompted a wry grin from the wonderful Janet at the Post Office), so unfortunately we've missed the first tariff weight step by a measly gram.  I'd have sworn I used the same card as last year.  I don't suppose we'll starve in consequence, but correspondents in continental Europe and the colonies may find their cards printed on Izal toilet paper next year.  As usual, I miscounted, and have to get a few more stamps, so it'll be Monday before the cards are on their way.

Yesterday was fine after a couple of thoroughly dreich days hereabouts, so we took a longer drive to do the messages.  The nicest Fortnums hereabouts is a hop and a skip from my usual hobby venue, so we motored hence on the main road and back down the lanes.  The autumn colours have largely gone now, the good news being that, with fewer leaves on the trees, the views are more open.  At Fortnums, I chuckled to see so many Jags, 4x4 Benzes, Volvos and the like, remembering the opposition from the posh neighbours to the building of such a down-market shop.  (It is true, of course, that the stock policy is somewhat fancier there than most of their shops.)  Martyn asked 'Where is [name of posh area mentioned]?  So we drove through it on the way to join the lanes back home.  Not so much the gin & Jag belt, more the Pimms & Porsche zone.  There are some spectacularly extravagant properties up there, with places little bigger than ours commanding fully three times the price.  Top marks to those who can afford such places (except the footballers, of course), but one feels moved to ponder at whose expense their fortunes were made.

Today it's back to dreich with a vengeance, so it was comfort food for lunch.  Inspired by the Grand Café in Limoux, we occasionally do a pizza dite norvégienne.  Once the machine-made part-wholemeal base is done, heat the pizza stone to a high temperature.  Hand stretch the dough and finally roll to shape on greaseproof paper, then raise for 20 minutes at 40°C.  Sparing coating of crème fraîche, topping of fresh and smoked salmon and big prawns (typically at least double the Grand Café portions), capers, mozzarella, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.  Slide the pizza, paper and all, on to the preheated stone, and bake at at least 230°C for 10 minutes.  Slide it off the stone and the paper on to a a big wooden board.  Serve with oregano and spicy oil.  Effective only as part of a calorie-controlled diet, I need scarcely add....

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