In Australia, we don't share land borders with another country. And while there is a degree of cultural shock when a Victorian crosses into New South Wales (coffee-like substances, a mobile-wrestling-like sport they call "rugby", etc...) it's all much the same. So you wouldn't expect crossing between France and Italy to make much of a difference... Travel broadens the mind. Coffee. In any restaurant, bar, cafe or Tabac, the coffee is always excellent in Italy. Why, then, can'

This week we ventured into Italy, to Umbria to celebrate a milestone birthday with a dear friend and a collection of fellow dear friends and intrepid travellers. And what an extraordinary week we had, led by local friends Armando and Sandro with a packed program of culture food.. and wiiiiiiiiiiine.. It really was a once in a lifetime treat, a curated introduction to Italy's history and culture. So very special. One observation of traveling in Italy that sticks involves car i

A late update. We left Dijon last Saturday and have been active. Reflecting on our time and on Dijon itself after 4 weeks, Jacquie summed up my feelings about Dijon well in observing it is like there is a place that has all the good bits of Paris (charm, history, culture, architecture, food, wine...) without the bad bits (crowds, overworked and jaded hospitality staff and ALL THOSE TOURISTS). A small-ish city of about 160,000 in population with a long history of commerce and

Someone here flicked a switch on Tuesday and, all of a sudden, shops are open, the roads are busier, streets are full and Jacquie has to hustle to get a seat on the tram to the University in the morning. Summer is, it seems, over and schools are back, businesses are open and life has resumed its normal rhythm. and after (what i suspect was) a cryptosporidium-induced week of dry toast and yogurt, the digestive system was finally up for some more adveturous food! Taking advanta

It is wine grape picking season in Burgundy and the vineyards are scattered with minivans (with their seats, curiously, covered in garbage bags) and teams in the field harvesting by hand. Another year's vintage is in the making. Wine seems to be the support and lifeblood of this region In contrast to our observations in Provence 2 years ago, where the landscape was scattered with small farms and charming little villages that were looking a little the worse for wear and underi

and so, we have arrived again. Three months touring to celebrate Tony's retirement. and about that.... This was to be the significant holiday to mark the end of the working lives of both of us. The tour was booked and paid for when Tony received a phone call at the end of 2025 and seemed unable to form and speak the two-letter word that starts with a "N" and ends in an "o". No matter, "holidays" with very early starts at the ergonomic standing desk and kicking into the day in

And so, it has come to this… We are now going back to where we don’t drive on the right, the weather isn’t the same day in and day out,...

Tricks, Trips and Traps Quick reflections on things to look out for when living in Provence They drive on the right side of the road here...

One of the delights and benefits of staying in the one place for 6 months is that you get to see the seasons change. From arriving in...

Catching up a bit here, taking this blog to the end of July. Another in a week.... Science continued to revisit us in this fortnight, in...

Two very French experiences, tenuously linked - bear with us. The Face - Part 1 To paraphrase Julie Gillard, It's not all French who do...

Here we are in a year where over half the world's population in over 60 countries is having elections. All those opportunities to send...

This week it is all about the cycling... flicking the switch back to self-indulgence. So, when you consider the design of a bicycle, you...

This week was a transition week between two groups of guests staying with us - enjoying the recent memory of the first and looking...

Gasp! We are past our halfway point for our stay in Provence - less than 3 months before we return to Melbourne. The run home is looking good though, we have sorted the good local restaurants, the good local wine shop and the weather is on the consistent improve (dining outside in the evening now - sorry Melbourne but we have come through our late winter / spring transition, so need to make some mileage). So, this week's observation - comprising an interesting fact and a cor

Back to our weekly learning, although this one has been building for the (almost) three months we have been here. Coffee A bit of context...

So, It's been a while - and a bit has transpired A couple of reflections masquerading as this post's lessons The whole is equal to...

This week's learning / interesting fact: This is a pizza knife. You can tell, because it says so. It seems houses here have them - ours...

Feedback #1 from last week. Some advice from my Irish Australian French expert - UHT is popular in France due to small fridges, a...

First up, this week's learning - is something we are yet to figure out - so let's call this the conundrum of this week. For the newly...