Hello, yes, goodbye
Another day, another survey, or several. Today on Today I learnt that the average Lithuanian drinks 750 pints of beer a year, while engaged couples – in the UK that is, not Lithuania – are more likely to ask … Continue reading
Tag Archives: France
Save La Grave – join the crowd
The future of the off-piste resort of La Grave is once again in doubt, as it has been for much of its forty year existence. The operating contract for its lifts – there are two of them: a slow two-stage … Continue reading
’ere ouigo – skiing the Disney way
A new route to the French Alps – via le Petit Prince and the Magic Kingdom. I’m sure it’s not new, but it’s new to me and I’m quite excited about it. Rather late in the day, via facebook, … Continue reading
Brittany at half term: le golf de Morbihan
Two weeks for half term in late October is a long haul for parents, especially those abandoned by their wives and daughters (in Venice for a weekend of bellinis and vaporetti). My godson’s father suggested a ‘get into golf’ … Continue reading
French men are obsessed by wardrobes
Last week my daughter had to choose an article from The Times to analyse. She flicked through the newspaper on the way to school, reading out the headlines. Rejecting ebola, American race riots and Labour’s plans to squeeze the private … Continue reading
In the Valley of the Kings
The English-language edition of the guide to the Loire à Vélo cycling trail reached me recently. I opened it with interest, having been surprised, when we cycled along the Loire in 2011, by how elusive the trail seemed at times, … Continue reading
Golf and cycling
In idle moments I have often googled golf and bicycle (or cycling). Almost nothing comes up, apart from a virtual debate about whether cycling is the new golf, the motion being that Masters of the Universe now do their … Continue reading
Ski hosting – no end to hostilities
Nov 7 update: Le Ski’s appeal deferred until May 2014 for further investigation, so the ban stands for the coming season. I’m up to here with mid-morning hot chocolate. If the French ski hosting rumpus makes me drink any more … Continue reading
The only way is ethics
Waiting for the article to appear is a difficult time, especially when you have gone to bed with a publication for the first time, as was the case with me and The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. After the coupling, polite … Continue reading
childhood holidays in France … and adverbs
On the strength of a Buy recommendation in the FT I am reading Laetitia Rutherford’s so far marvellous memoir, Our Hearts Hang From The Lemon Trees. It is published by Short Books, the discerning publisher of my French cycling book, … Continue reading