Damon says that having his birthday in August can feel like a disappointment each year. I’m hoping he’ll change his mind after this weekend – we’re off to Amiens. I’m…
TV can be a great way to learn a country’s language and culture. However, M6’s Chasseurs d’appart’ may not be the place to start – it appears to suggest that…
After 11 months of searching, I’ve finally found somewhere decent to stay on my 2 nights a week in London. I now have a lovely pied-à-terre just 15 minutes’ walk…
As a starter on a sunny summer’s day, what could be better than goat’s cheese ice cream served with gazpacho? The tangy cheese is the perfect accompaniment to the chilled…
Until Wednesday this week, friends and colleagues showed great fascination in whether I would support England or France if the two went head to head in the World Cup final.…
If Samantha Stephens could twitch her nose and transport me back to the 1960s, I’d be a happy man. Instead, I’m doing the next best thing – tonight I’m at…
I made somebody cry this week. A lot of people, actually. No, I wasn’t being horrible – I’d written a scene that was acted out in front of over 2,000…
Cheeses are seasonal – that’s something I’ve come to appreciate in recent years. So, before summer arrived this week, I decided to have a go at making a fresh, spring…
In the calendar of Pride parades in Europe, Lille is often overlooked – but the city did itself proud. The floats pumped out high-octane dance music, revellers sported outrageous costumes…
I think nothing of spending €60 on a bottle of wine in a restaurant. But that isn’t to say I don’t like a bargain too – like a wine that…
This week I learned that I have made the list of the top 100 French blogs. I’m delighted to find myself alongside some fascinating bloggers whose posts I really enjoy.…
Our trip to Bergerac last month left us salivating for the tastes of Périgord. To satisfy our cravings, we headed for Lille’s south-west themed restaurant on Saturday. Quite why it’s…
I was looking forward to representing my company this week at a European conference in Paris… until I realised that social housing finance was the theme. I gritted my teeth…
Tonight, the duo Madame Monsieur carry the hopes of France at this year’s Eurovision song contest. Unusually, the French entry is one of the bookies’ favourites to win. Since scoring…
If dreams involve dirty kitchens, no toilet paper and negotiating even to get a towel, then, yes, I am living the dream. Sadly, these are just some of the realities…
Seeing your favourite singer perform live is always a risk – will they be as good as you hoped? Well, Kim Wilde lived up to my expectations this week. She…
For the past 10 years, my mother-in-law has bought me an annual subscription to Olive magazine for my birthday. Now that we’ve moved to France, she’s had to think afresh.…
If making choux pralinés under the watchful eye of the winner of the last series of TV’s Le Meilleur Pâtissier sounds stressful, think again. Rachel Levesque – who was crowned…
While friends and family spent the Easter weekend sheltering from rain and snow, Damon and I got sunstroke as we made our way south to Nouvelle Aquitaine. Seriously. The sun…
My birthday wish has come true: I’m back in the south west. I have 4 days here to enjoy catching up with friends and visiting old haunts. I like to…
