Time to write a brief tribute to my adopted rural home -- Sancerre. Just back from a glorious weekend. Saturday lunch in the town square at the Auberge Joseph Mellot . Menu du jour consisted of veal kidneys in mustard sauce (very red and juicy) , followed by home-made redcurrant tart, all washed down with a glass of red Sancerre. Total price - 12 euros 50. Staggeringly good value. After that a stroll through the vineyards, now bedding down for the winter, culminating in a hill-top view back towards the "piton" of Sancerre and the Loire behind. What could be finer? In summer or autumn the approach to Sancerre on the word from Bourges, passing down a classic avenue of poplars, is an experience to be cherished. The country may be going down the tubes, but where else can you get that kind of magic. By the way there is a popular French language school in Sancerre, to which I might as well give a bit of free publicity as it is supposed to be rather good. It takes in paying visitors (mainly US and English, often families) and promises to turn them into regular Francophones.