Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
This week’s prompt comes from the man himself, and took me on a long and rambling trip down Memory Lane.
Be relieved that there is a word limit here!
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Al Forbes
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Luxembourg
‘Driving to France, aren’t you?’ asks Nick.
Nick is my boss.
‘Yep, in two weeks, for that well-deserved break.’
‘Could you go via Kaufbeuren?’
So, later, I explain to my long-suffering wife that we are making a small detour via Germany en route to the Mediterranean.
On expenses.
‘Will the hotel have a pool?’ she asks pragmatically.
I drive a Vauxhall Viva, which is perhaps one generation more sophisticated than Fred Flintstone’s car.
I now gloss over the horrors of the five hundred mile trip to Dover – Hi, Al! – culminating in a Channel crossing in what a hysterical English lady describes, shrieking, as a ‘bloody Belgian tub’.
I do not mention my illegal smuggling of computer equipment through Ostend Customs at midnight, or our attempts to find a place to sleep there.
The next day we stop in Luxembourg, in an underground car park.
After lunch and a spot of sightseeing, the Viva decides enough is enough.
It belches smoke, and refuses, despite valiant efforts, to mount the exit ramp.
We find a garage and hire a car.
‘Can you give mine a quick check over?’ I ask, exchanging keys.
‘Where is it, sir?’
‘In the car park.’
Sound Bite Fiction 
Not a good vacation, but that is what your get, maybe, for breaking the law and being so darn dense to not realize what is happening.
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There is actually an extended story which somewhat excuses the smuggling part.
And darn dense?
I don’t claim to be too bright, but why in this case?
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You’ve surely lived in some interesting times Sir! And yes, just like Iain, waiting for the Ostend story eagerly now 🙂
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I can’t deny I have had the occasional adventure, sir.
6 years ago I published a slightly tongue-in-cheek post on a different blog platform entitled ’50 things I have done in my life’.
It included: 46. Abandoned a car in a Luxemburg car-park
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Superb tale peppered with little hand me downs. I so love your style, CR.
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You are very kind, Neel, happy you found so much to your liking
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love many things here – the car talk and smuggling – lol
. – but oh my goodness is this something I have asked countless times,
“does the hotel have a pool?”
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Happy you enjoyed.
My wife was a lovely lady, very sweet and laid back, but with healthy pragmatism!
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sounds awesome 🙂
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They don’t build cars like they used to – thankfully! I hope that woman isn’t on the ferry next time I pop across La Manche for lunch!
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I doubt she’ll go by boat again!
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and so some things die, even if only temporarily, only to avoid the sticky end – but at the least, memories can still be called up, like a good friend, – and if anything, reshaped or allowed to breathe in a reincarnation of a story brought to life 🙂
I loved the idea of an hysterical English woman shrieking bloody murder crossing the channel, in a Belgium bathtub” …. brilliant! LOL – sorry, perhaps traumatic, but amusing none the less.
Cheers C.E.
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Thank you, Pat, glad you found it amusing.
The lady in question actually wanted the ferry to return to Englandshire because she was unhappy, unsafe, or just plain crazy!
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ah well, I could understand that … some crossings are treacherous even before leaving dry land 😥
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Is there still a Viva in a car work in Luxembourg, or did it make it to the south of France with you in the end? Lovely little glimpse into your memories.
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Laughing. Remarkably they managed to make it go again, it eventually died in Annan a year or two later.
The best part of this story were the events in Ostend, which sadly would at least double its length.
Glad you enjoyed.
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I look forward to the Ostend story in a future episode 🙂
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