We had our usual barramundi dinner at the Catalina Country Club last night with Phil serving the drinks. I've known Phil for as long as I've been at the coast. A long time ago, he was delivery driver at an appliance shop and delivered a fridge to my house. In more recent years he's followed his natural leanings and works as a barman at the local club.
Last year, with not a word of good-bye and even fewer words of French, he went to live in a small community around the French city of Montpellier. He came back a few months ago but only to do a last stint at the club before he turns 65 and qualifies for the age-pension when he will return to France to live there permanently.
His name Phil - or, as he now wants to be known, Philippe, pronounced 'feelip' - would suggest that he's a lover of horses but he loves horsing around more than anything else. He's a laugh a minute and will be missed more than just a 'oui' bit.
You're the nearest to a French barman we have in the Bay, Philippe. Bon voyage et bonne chance!
