Talking my way into a Michelin one star

... or "Why I'm possibly getting scurvy." So, if you know me at all, weeks on end of eating cheese and bread is something that sounds wonderful to me. That is, until I actually had to do it.

Part of keeping my costs down involves asking for a lot of free stuff. A lot. And getting shot down quite a bit. But in Tarbes there's a restaurant with one Michelin star - the only rated restaurant in the whole department. I decided to swing by for lunch and do my usual song and dance - "I've already eaten, but I'm interested in your restaurant. Is it possible to taste a dish?" The good thing is that it usually works better than asking for a whole meal for free. The bad thing is people usually give you dessert. For every meal.

They were incredibly kind at the restaurant - and brought me their chocolate souffle with berries and other things - an insanely beautiful plate. And it was wonderful. But after the croissant for breakfast, by 5pm I realized I'd only eaten sugar and could barely function. That's the danger.

Everything here has jambon, cheese, craime fraiche, and foie gras - sometimes all in the same dish. It's gotten to the point that I can barely go to a farmer's marker without wanting to bury my head in the lettuces.

Don't get me started on the food in Lourdes...