Author Archives: JJS

Spanish retreat – Day 1

Posted on February 15, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 The kind of sentence that smells faintly of sunscreen and irresponsibility. We left home with the precision of a German train timetable and arrived in Barcelona in 2 hours and 54 minutes. Not 3 hours. Not “about 3 hours.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

La France ne dĂ©cline pas

Posted on February 13, 2026 by JJS

🇫🇷 Elle avance, en râlant Le rĂ©cit du « dĂ©clin français » est devenu un rĂ©flexe mĂ©diatique. On l’entend du matin au soir, entre deux dĂ©bats enflammĂ©s. Mais quand on regarde les faits plutĂ´t que le bruit, l’image est bien … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Thursday, my old friend

Posted on February 12, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 I have always liked Thursdays. Not in a loud, fireworks-and-confetti sort of way. More in the discreet, knowing nod of two accomplices who understand each other perfectly. Thursday sits there, calmly, right in the middle of the week. Precisely … Continue reading →

Posted in life in France, Nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Les Aiguilles Rouges

Posted on February 11, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 The birthday I spent trying not to plummet off the French Alps June 21st, 1976 🏔️They say your twenties are for finding yourself. On my 23rd birthday, I was less concerned with finding myself and more concerned with not … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Nature, Travel & Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Month That Was: January 2026

Posted on February 1, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 Or: How I Survived Technology, Weather, Whisky, and My Own Pancreas A month-long chronicle of medical adventures, technological betrayals, gastronomic triumphs, and the ongoing battle between diet intentions and French cuisine January 2026 will go down in personal history … Continue reading →

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When Czech tire business met French moped dreams

Posted on January 31, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 (and a Falcon fell from the sky) Or How I accidentally became a jet-setting tire executive without ever pronouncing “Brno” correctly The mid-90s were a magical time. The internet was making those delightful dial-up noises, someone was still trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel experience, Nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bullitt

Posted on January 27, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 When cars were fast, airports were easy and Steve McQueen was cool 🍿 So there I was last night, doing what any reasonable person does on a random weeknight—rewatching Bullitt for approximately the 47th time. Because apparently, I need … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, Nostalgia, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pancakes

Posted on January 23, 2026 by JJS

🇫🇷 Chez nous, il y a la Chandeleur. Le 2 fĂ©vrier. Date fixe, rassurante. On parle de lumière, de soleil, de prospĂ©ritĂ©, on fait sauter une crĂŞpe avec une pièce dans la main et tout le monde fait semblant d’y … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Food, Food and traditions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A syringe and an umbrella

Posted on January 21, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 I am now starting my third week of injecting my weekly dose of what I shall simply call the Wonder Molecule. I will not name it. I will not promote it. I will not pretend I was sent it … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and fitness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“J’ai le mĂŞme Ă  la maison”

Posted on January 18, 2026 by JJS

🇫🇷 Une arnaque intemporelle qui a juste changĂ© d’adresse Ah, la nostalgie ! Le bon vieux temps oĂą on se faisait enfumer en personne… Vous vous souvenez ? Cette Ă©poque bĂ©nie oĂą un vendeur en chemise Ă  carreaux vous regardait … Continue reading →

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