View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Month: March 2018
The Musette: Cavalluci biscuits from Siena
Whenever we go to Siena, I hot-foot it to the nearest cake shop and buy some delicious Cavallucci biscuits. They’re one of the most well-known Christmas treats in Tuscany, dating back to Renaissance times when the church’s council handed them out to their congregation.… Continue Reading “The Musette: Cavalluci biscuits from Siena”
Days out: Alfred Sisley exhibition
As I was driving past Aix-en-Provence the other week on the way back from the start of stage five of Paris-Nice 2018, I was reminded of a lovely day we had spent there last October. When we stayed in Aix-en-Provence in July to watch… Continue Reading “Days out: Alfred Sisley exhibition”
The Musette: walnut squares
I’m always on the look-out for athlete friendly baked goods, typically ones with low fat content, gluten-free, dairy free or even vegan to add to my repertoire. Before being introduced, these goodies have to be eaten and approved by my crack team of cake… Continue Reading “The Musette: walnut squares”
Things my beloved does: funds his employers/clients
One of my main tasks is making sense of my husband’s expenses and billing the correct clients. When I first took on the role I realised that if he incurred an expense on behalf of a client or employer and subsequently lost the receipt,… Continue Reading “Things my beloved does: funds his employers/clients”
What do professional cyclists do when they’re ex-professionals?
“I vacuum all the time” – Fabian Cancellara adjusts to retirement! This was the header on an email from Rouleur which rather set me thinking. I’ve interviewed a lot of cyclists, many of whom are now retired, though some are still very much connected to… Continue Reading “What do professional cyclists do when they’re ex-professionals?”
Postcard from Sanremo: or how my day unfolded
We missed this race last year because my beloved had broken his leg. But, this year, we’re back and have enjoyed reenacting our #MSR traditions. We don’t do Milan. Instead we rise and head for breakfast in Italy. The Italians make the best coffee… Continue Reading “Postcard from Sanremo: or how my day unfolded”
Where would you recommend?
People are always asking me for recommendations. Typically, they’ll ask me to suggest a hotel in Nice or somewhere along the Cote d’Azur. Or, they might ask me to suggest things to do while visiting the area. I recently had a group (of dentists) asked… Continue Reading “Where would you recommend?”
Postcard from Paris-Nice 2018
One of these years I will endeavour to follow the entire route of Paris-Nice, just not this year. This time I joined the race for the start of stage 5 in Salon-de-Provence. We’ve visited the town a number of times as my beloved has… Continue Reading “Postcard from Paris-Nice 2018”
Le Grand Depart 2020!
How exciting! Le Grand Départ of the 2020 Tour de France is going to be in Nice. Rumours have abounded for a while but the fantastic news was confirmed today at a presentation given by Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and Chairman of Nice-Côte d’Azur,… Continue Reading “Le Grand Depart 2020!”
That winning feeling
As a fan of cycling I appreciate that all too few riders win races, not because they’re incapable of winning but because most spend their careers in the service of others. So when a professional cyclist you know wins a race or a stage,… Continue Reading “That winning feeling”
