I rang Oxford French who told me it's going to be about £150 to deal with the electric window in Mildred. Bit of an arse. I thought about buying a second hand Saab whilst I was at the Saab place with R or another Xantia (probably a diesel though for the long trip to France) but decided that I am much happier to pour the occasional bit of cash into her than to get rid. Sad, really, but there's a bit of attachment there and as people keep on pointing out, the car itself is sound. The 150k rule still stands though. Probably.

That said, I don't park in public car parks very often and I have a sunroof, and all the péages will be on the other side of the car - with a working window.

I think I shall buy a Haynes manual and take it with me. Matt says he'll be butch and oily and come along too to service Mildred should she need servicing. I think that's safer than trying to explain things in French, frankly.

Nice supper: grilled trout with green beans and fresh corn on the cob. Very yummy indeed with the extra ingredient of last night's Voyager to help it down. Popped round to Jon's afterwards for a quick gin and four whole Marlboro Lights. I've noticed my smoking days are outnumbering the non-smoking ones, although I only smoke about 2 or 3 a day. Unless it's a weekend.

Started re-wording the affection.net pages for when I have to make real money through them!