Author Archives: JJS

🇪🇺 Unacceptable 🇪🇺

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

Régime sévère, moral d’acier… et pastis aux abonnés absents

Posted on July 21, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 Et voilà, ça fait déjà trois semaines que je me suis lancé dans cette aventure un peu folle (certains diraient héroïque) : celle de retrouver la ligne, la vraie, celle d’avant les bons petits plats, les apéros, 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 🥟 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

🇫🇷 Entre peloton, shopping et bouchons Aujourd’hui, mission spéciale : convoyage vers l’aéroport de Toulouse. L’avion de notre amie Leslie ne décolle qu’en fin d’après-midi, mais elle a des projets. Et pas des moindres. D’abord, elle veut voir Toulouse (ce … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

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 rosé on the terrace (I know, living dangerously). The … Continue reading →

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

Operation: Literary letdown

Posted on July 8, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 How Tom Clancy got himself court-martialed from my library Once upon a time—many moons ago, back when summer holidays came with sunburns and sand in inconvenient places—I was a devoted foot soldier in the Tom Clancy reading army. His … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction maybe, Summer reading | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

🎓 Villanova

Posted on July 5, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 50 years later, still fitting (just about) Some people celebrate milestones with champagne. Others with a trip down memory lane.Me? I celebrate with a brand-new Villanova University T-shirt delivered by my ever-cheerful postman this morning. Now, let’s be clear:This … Continue reading →

Posted in Retro revival, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment