A positive outlook.

On our way home we stop off in a little fishing port for two nights . A sweet little place with a castle , a harbour, and a row of restaurants running along the water front . Charming and unspoilt. The weather  warm and bright . Despite it being peak season Angus has managed to  make  a last minute booking at a hotel right on the sea.  '' My, that's good luck '' . 

The  hotel , we soon discover , is run by staff that dislike having guests . The Fawlty Towers of the Cote d'Azur. The bellmen stare, then ignore us. Behind the check-in desk an overly hirsute young man is engaged in a lengthy conversation with his girlfriend . After five minutes Angus interrupts to ask if there is someone else who could help us. The young man slams down the phone . Registration completed in silence.   Service with a scowl . Angus asks if the room has a sea view . '' It's the only room left " comes the somewhat gnomic response. 

' The font ' , ever positive, is delighted with the room . '' Look. There's a view of the sea " .True enough between the air conditioning units and the restaurant next door a sliver of aquamarine glimmers in the sunlight. Angus now understands why this was the only room left .

In the bar several hundred very cheerful Dutch deaf folk on a tour of the French Riviera. Much animated conversation but complete silence . The bar staff non-plussed.  '' Not something you see every day " says ' the font '.