Yesterday, while going down to the village for bread, I passed a small gathering of people from the village and workmen all talking and waving their arms about in front of one of the village houses.
One of the ladies, one of the many that I now “Bon Jour + small chat about the weather” to, greeted me like a saviour.
Aha ! she said (in French) “Here is Monsieur, He speaks English and French, he can help us!”
I was then directed to the house of “Un Anglais” with directions to ask him could he leave his house open for a few hours as they had to connect a “branchement ” inside (I’m not sure if this was water or electricity).
The Anglais, took one look at me and said “You’re Martin aren’t you ?
I read your blog “.
Anyway within seconds it turned out that he had understood what they wanted but they had not understood that he was happy to give them the key if they popped it back through the letter box when finished.

I became the hero of the hour.

Found in translation really, I suppose.