We’re off to see the wizard.

Well not actually the wizard although in a way it is the same as the story of the “Wizard of Oz” - It must be over thirty years ago that Peter Mayle chucked his job in advertising and later went to live in a cold and draughty farmhouse in the South of France. His book “A year in Provence” (published in 1991) touched a nerve and not only became a mammoth best seller, but has been responsible for many people “discovering” parts of the South of France which had been quietly cooking in sunshine and blasted by winds for centuries.

My Mayle’s stories of the politics with his workmen and the meetings with the local people entertains and stimulates. Like the Wiazard of Oz, Mayle helps people find their own dreams simply by saying they are there all the time.

His recent book - “A Good Year” has been made into a film with Russel Crowe, and it is the launch of the DVD of the film that is the reason I am off to meet him (Mayle, not Crowe) on Tuesday - well actually I am meeting a group of journalists who are meeting Peter Mayle, but I may get to ask him to “Pass the salt please” at lunch - my job is to show the journalists the difference in property now, compared to when “A Year In Provence” was written - oh boy is there a difference - the main one being what you could buy for 50 thousand dollars then you can’t buy for a million now.

I will write more about this historic meeting next week, no doubt Mr Mayle will be saying the same about me.