Monthly Archives: July 2025

Mediterranean melodrama

Posted on July 30, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Or why TV weather reports are losing the plot When I was a kid growing up in suburban western Paris, summer meant one thing: escape. And escape we did—to the south of France, like clockwork. First, of course, came … Continue reading →

Posted in Nostalgia, Seasonal reflections, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The calm after the storm

Posted on July 28, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 (Also known as grandkids going home) July 2025 – Somewhere between nostalgic and shell-shocked So. The whirlwind is nearly over. The house, which recently resembled a toy shop after a minor explosion, is about to fall eerily silent again. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

đŸ‡ȘđŸ‡ș Unacceptable đŸ‡ȘđŸ‡ș

Posted on July 28, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 I have lost all confidence in Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership as President of the European Commission. Her inability or unwillingness to stand up to figures like Donald Trump has undermined the EU’s credibility on the world stage. Rather … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, Opinion, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

RĂ©gime sĂ©vĂšre, moral d’acier
 et pastis aux abonnĂ©s absents

Posted on July 21, 2025 by JJS

đŸ‡«đŸ‡· Et voilĂ , ça fait dĂ©jĂ  trois semaines que je me suis lancĂ© dans cette aventure un peu folle (certains diraient hĂ©roĂŻque) : celle de retrouver la ligne, la vraie, celle d’avant les bons petits plats, les apĂ©ros, et la … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet & Nutrition, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Last night in Singapore (sort of)

Posted on July 20, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 How a TV program, a couch and a craving led to a Southeast Asian daydream đŸ„Ÿ Last night, somewhere between the news and a late-night yogurt I didn’t need, I found myself watching a French TV program about Singapore. … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fed up with the circus

Posted on July 17, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A citizen’s frustration with French politics I rarely voice political opinions—frankly, I usually prefer to keep those thoughts to myself. But enough is enough. Lately, I’ve found myself deeply frustrated—not just by the state of politics in France, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Opération Toulouse

Posted on July 16, 2025 by JJS

đŸ‡«đŸ‡· Entre peloton, shopping et bouchons Aujourd’hui, mission spĂ©ciale : convoyage vers l’aĂ©roport de Toulouse. L’avion de notre amie Leslie ne dĂ©colle qu’en fin d’aprĂšs-midi, mais elle a des projets. Et pas des moindres. D’abord, elle veut voir Toulouse (ce … Continue reading →

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The great French juggling act

Posted on July 15, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A summer of strategic scheduling 🍓Chapter 1: The Departure of the Famous “Bande Anglaise”Three-quarters of Carole’s legendary childhood crew – the infamous Bande Anglaise – have just boarded their respective flights back to England and Belgium this afternoon. The … Continue reading →

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The week that was 28-2025

Posted on July 13, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Wimbledon, wine and weather warnings A Totally Average Week, Apparently I suppose it’s been a fairly average week. You know, the usual: 40-degree heat, central heating on full blast, three airport runs, five women in tow at the market, … Continue reading →

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Chronicles of a (nearly) ascetic monk

Posted on July 9, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Episode 1 The scale strikes back It’s been exactly ten days since I ended a long and passionate relationship
 with alcohol. Not a drop, not even a cheeky glass of rosĂ© on the terrace (I know, living dangerously). The … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Health and fitness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment