View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Month: April 2023
French Fancies: LVMH
I may have recently covered Louis Vuitton but the story isn’t complete unless I also go into the change of ownership and subsequent development of holding company LVMH. How it all began In 1984, Bernard Arnault learned that Christian Dior was for sale. Its… Continue Reading “French Fancies: LVMH”
The Musette: White Bean Soup
This is the sort of soup I crave when the weather turns. Hearty, substantial, and squarely in the realm of comfort food. It’s the simplest of bean soups, topped with plump herb-packed dumplings. I use whatever herbs I have to hand, along with lots… Continue Reading “The Musette: White Bean Soup”
Friday’s Tall Tales #17
Whenever I photograph a door or gate I wonder about its provenance, who and what has happened across said door or gate. I thought I might pick one from #Thursdaydoors and tell you a bit more about it or……maybe even weave a story about… Continue Reading “Friday’s Tall Tales #17”
Flowering Friday #17
My mother was blessed with very green fingers, sadly I am not. Buy me flowers or indeed a potted plant and no bookie would give you odds on how long it’ll last. However, I absolutely adore trees, plants and flowers in situ and… Continue Reading “Flowering Friday #17”
Thursday doors #197
Here are some doors from my most recent trips to Nice which I visited three days in succession thanks to Paris-Nice cycle race! Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos from… Continue Reading “Thursday doors #197”
Postcard from Porto: Part II
Built across hills that drop sharply to the banks of the Douro River, Porto showcases its attractions at every turn — from hilltop viewpoints to cast-iron bridges, waterside promenades and the boats that skim across to its south-bank twin city, Vila Nova de Gaia.… Continue Reading “Postcard from Porto: Part II”
Postcard from Porto: Part I
When I received an email late last year from EasyJet telling me the expiry date of my vouchers for Covid-cancelled flights to Bordeaux and Barcelona had been extended, my beloved elected to visit Porto in March and Mallorca in April. Neither of us has… Continue Reading “Postcard from Porto: Part I”
Musical Monday: Cover songs #17
I started 2023 with a series of my favourite cover songs. It’s quite amazing how many artists cover one another’s songs. Can you guess what unites US crooner Andy Williams and ska specialists The English Beat? While many of their 2-Tone Records contemporaries like… Continue Reading “Musical Monday: Cover songs #17”
French Fancies: Beurre Bordier
My local cheese shop stocks (among other things) crème fraîche and butter from Brittany. In the case of the latter, specifically the truly magnificent and wholly divine Bordier butter. At once sweet, salty, and smoky, Beurre Bordier is one of Brittany’s most famous products.… Continue Reading “French Fancies: Beurre Bordier”
One from the vaults: Things I’ve done – London marathon
I’m sitting here watching the London Marathon which always brings back fond memories of when I took part in 1994 – almost 30 years ago! You have to remember when I say “fond memories” I think it’s a bit like giving birth, I have… Continue Reading “One from the vaults: Things I’ve done – London marathon”
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