An earlier contribution to these pages describes my reputation deteriorating from that of an ordinary well-behaved citizen to that of a hardened criminal. Being held under open arrest in Paris for ignoring & infringing a vast catalogue of rules, regulations & restrictions, most of which related to our quite harmless intention to make a film in France ( & for a good cause ), a country which has about the most stringent regulations in the world regarding filming within it's borders. I had been told by Guy Brenton, the director, he would make all official arrangements regarding 'paperwork' but he seems somehow to have been ' elsewhere ' when this agreement took place. Hence the guillotine now awaits me !
I am to meet Guy ( who is already in France ) with the vehicle & all equipment . Upon arrival in the early hours at Dunkirk harbour, sitting on a bench about two decks up, a person who had been leaning over the rail turned & approached me, asked my name, then said, someone down below on the quayside wished to speak to me. It was Guy. Standing in front of an official-looking row of offices, he shouted up that he had discovered a route out which would allow me to avoid customs altogether & then proceeded to explain how. Luckily, my embarrassment was shared by only one other person.
Sitting in the vehicle I edged forward as passports were handed in & returned - that was until it was my turn - they kept mine. I was issued with a gendarme, a personal gendarme, complete with a very large pistol, just for me !
He guided me to a very large railway goods yard, which was to be my home for many hours to come. All this took place with the added excitement of a highly dramatic display of thunder & lightning.
Ultimately, we were given permission to drive to Paris & report to the police authorities there.
A court case would in time be set-up to deal with our misdemeanours, until then we had to remain under open arrest, awaiting trial & to be available for interrogation at any time.
Next episode; What happened after arriving in Lourdes - don't miss it, very funny !!
ps. can recommend Googling ' Guy Brenton film director ' a remarkable man & great friend.
I am to meet Guy ( who is already in France ) with the vehicle & all equipment . Upon arrival in the early hours at Dunkirk harbour, sitting on a bench about two decks up, a person who had been leaning over the rail turned & approached me, asked my name, then said, someone down below on the quayside wished to speak to me. It was Guy. Standing in front of an official-looking row of offices, he shouted up that he had discovered a route out which would allow me to avoid customs altogether & then proceeded to explain how. Luckily, my embarrassment was shared by only one other person.
Sitting in the vehicle I edged forward as passports were handed in & returned - that was until it was my turn - they kept mine. I was issued with a gendarme, a personal gendarme, complete with a very large pistol, just for me !
He guided me to a very large railway goods yard, which was to be my home for many hours to come. All this took place with the added excitement of a highly dramatic display of thunder & lightning.
Ultimately, we were given permission to drive to Paris & report to the police authorities there.
A court case would in time be set-up to deal with our misdemeanours, until then we had to remain under open arrest, awaiting trial & to be available for interrogation at any time.
Next episode; What happened after arriving in Lourdes - don't miss it, very funny !!
ps. can recommend Googling ' Guy Brenton film director ' a remarkable man & great friend.