I'm a big fan of anything that changes perception of space. Yesterday, the motorists' battleground that serves as a short-term parking area by our attractive but questionably useful Market House became host to the wonderful French Market.

With a few hours to spare, a few friends and I had a marvellous time sampling delicacies and filling our bags with all manner of unusual cheese, bread and sausage, practising our language skills (or lack thereof), shrugging Gallicly in schoolboy fashion and pretending to be French. "How much is the ostrich sausage?" is not something we learned at school (they never taught us anything useful) but it was fun trying. The experience was as good, if not better, than being on holiday.

OK, I know some of the prices raised a few eyebrows, and not all of this can be attributed to our poor beleaguered pound, but this produce was delivered in person to our very town. How much closer do you want it? Would you prefer to travel afar to get this stuff?

On such a perfect day, just one out of 365, the only cloud was certain local traders displaying notices of the "Le Marché Français, Non Merci" variety. If they have such faith in their products (and we do have a lot to be proud of, especially beer and cheese - I'd love to treat a companionable French person to a British cheese tour, not least because it would take forever and a day), why are these local traders hiding behind xenophobic notices rather than presenting their wares at a British Market abroad? And if they did, how would they feel if each local shop window carried a notice saying "English Market - No Thanks"? After all the effort and goodwill, how would they feel? You can be sure these churlish British rogues will have no more of my business - not even a penny.

That was the controversial bit! On to the pictures...

Serious cheese!

Sauccisson!

et le pain!

Olives - ahh!

Compare this with a typical English market: Ten year old Ray-O-Vac batteries, catering-packs of slightly damp and suspiciously oversized cigarette papers, busted SCART cables, pink vinyl handbags... is it just me or what?