Telephone trap is a trifle Galling
The Diary can be a touch obstinate and refused to change plans for a well-earned break in France just because the French exercised their constitutional right to take Tahiti a step closer to nuclear oblivion. Oh no; you can’t turn back the clock, nuclear power is here to stay. France is an ally, we both want to keep our seats on the UN top table, Chirac’s sane, the deterrent has to be effective, especially now that every irresponsible Tom, Dick and Harry’s on the nuclear bandwagon. Well, absolutely. But if there’s one thing that gets my goat (ou ma chèvre) it’s having to pay through the nose for the privilege of having one’s name and address added to a database at the French Tourist Office. The only number for this office is a premium rate 0891 number charging callers 49p a minute while an operator immediately requests address details. After all, one could be mailed all sorts of things – although there’s unlikely to be anything from French Greenpeace.