Display and presentation seems to be something the French are pretty good at. But the following selection of pictures is not just about display, they are about, quality and choice. They are about a way of life. It’s funny that … Read More
It was on the banks of the Saône River that Lyon’s history in silk began. During the Renaissance, in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the great fairs brought the early traders in silk to Lyon, and the industry began to … Read More
It is still very hot in Lyon. Round about 30 c, give or take a degree, but a tad fresher after the storms at the weekend. However, I am having to learn to walk more slowly. I have always been … Read More
I am off on another of my artist’s adventures combining some cat sitting with a trip to Lyon. First let me introduce you to Ciboulette, a charming little thing with a grumpy meow and a questioning pose due to an … Read More
Something I really miss by no longer living in England is my own garden and visits to fabulous gardens and historic houses. So at least once a year, when I go to visit my family, the visits have to be … Read More
The journey continued to Arles a UNESCO site set on the mighty Rhone river. Vincent van Gogh spent a year here and had a very productive time including painting the image below. As is often the case with places on … Read More
Time to leave and head west but not without a few more stops. Diane and I both wanted to go and see the Matisse Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence which was not too far off our route.The link in the name will … Read More
Juan les Pins and Antibes are on the Cap d’Antibe peninsular, so walking from one side to the other seemed a good idea, forgetting that the walk would naturally mean climbing up before going down to the other side. I … Read More
From the balcony on the hotel I had view of a very large, but somewhat ruinous building and my curiosity took me and my ‘en plein air’ painting kit on another exploration. Here is a short film about the shell … Read More
You have to be a certain age to remember a song by Peter Sarstedt ‘Where do you go to my lovely,’ about the glamorous, socilaite Marie Claire with a secret past. It was a great hit at the time. The narrative song … Read More