After what France is describing as the ‘climatic disaster of 2015’ – a hot summer – Prime Minister Manuel Valls and his eco minister Ségolène Royal visited Chamonix last week to hear the town’s complaints about its air pollution and … Continue reading
To my great surprise I find myself using Tripadvisor more and more. Of course all the well rehearsed caveats apply. I know there will be fake reviews in there, along with the genuine. I haven’t tried to plant a fake, … Continue reading
Concerned that my life may lack purpose and fulfilling activity, friends quite often get in touch with questions they have generously thought up to make me feel useful and wanted. ‘Which Greek island would you recommend for our next holiday?’ … Continue reading
I was provoked to go and see the film of Gemma Bovery – a long running Guardian strip cartoon from the 1990s that made fun of English expats in France in the framework of a Madame Bovary storyline – by … Continue reading
Pig is on the 13 euro lunch menu at Le Bovary in the small village of Ry, near Rouen. Nothing fancy – museau vinaigrette (cheek), plat du jour (more pork), plateau de fromages. This last offering fulfils expectation: a chalky … Continue reading
Visitors arriving in Zermatt this week for the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn may be surprised to find that history has been rewritten for the occasion. The most famous accident in mountaineering history, familiar through the writings … Continue reading
A multi-activity, twin river circuit of the Mawddach and the Dovey (Dyfi) from Machynlleth, via Barmouth, Dolgellau and Dinas Mawddwy. This circuit kept Peter McG, Hatty R and me busy for a few minutes less than 12 hours on May … Continue reading
On Easter Saturday my daughter and I visited the HQ of Alpine BASE jumping, the Airtime café in Lauterbrunnen, to meet the American skier and jumper JT Holmes. We were on our way home after a week of skiing in … Continue reading
Zermatt came to the Alpine Club in Shoreditch yesterday evening to announce its plans for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn on July 14th 1865. These will include a free day on all … Continue reading
It’s a typical Crans Montana morning: dazzling. The confident forecast is hard and fast racing conditions for the early starters in the Momentum City Ski Championships slalom; slush for the après midi skier and serious sunburn for those who forget … Continue reading