Author Archives: JJS

Le Mans 2026 – Day 2

Posted on June 13, 2026 by JJS

McLarens, andouilette and a Bourbon under the stars A thousand classics, one monumental disappointment at the pit lane gate, and the sort of evening that makes the rest of it worthwhile. Cloudy skies greeted us when we surfaced, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Cars, Motorsports | 1 Comment

Le Mans 2026 – Day 1

Posted on June 12, 2026 by JJS

The long road to La Roche Racan There is something almost meditative about setting off at 9am for a destination that involves forty-eight hours of sleep deprivation, petrol fumes, and grown men arguing about lap times at three in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cars and bits, Hobby, Motorsports | 1 Comment

Turning the page

Posted on June 10, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 This morning I performed what can only be described as a last rites ceremony on four plastic wheels: one final lap of honour with the Méhari. I eased her out of the garage with the delicacy of a surgeon … Continue reading →

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The week that was 21/2026

Posted on May 30, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 Les copains d’abord Or: how to drive 600 km, watch kites, drink wine, and solve the great Leclerc debate of our time. ➿➿ Monday ➿➿ Every good road trip needs a logic to it. Mine was, frankly, impeccable: drive … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Weekly recap | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The week that was 20/2026

Posted on May 17, 2026 by JJS

Rain, Re-runs, and the Stubborn Pool A Week of Noble Endurance Or: how one man heroically resisted the weather and watched a lot of television about it. The week opened on a genuinely triumphant note — the kind of drive … Continue reading →

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Himmelfahrt

Posted on May 14, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 When Heaven meets beer carts and fatherly pride The Divine Ascent and the Earthly Descent Today is Himmelfahrt—a day so uniquely German that it manages to blend the sacred and the saucy into one glorious, beer-fueled, handcart-hauling celebration. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & History, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The world of tyres

Posted on May 12, 2026 by JJS

The world’s biggest tyre manufacturer might not be who you think and no, it’s not Michelin A lifetime at Continental, a lunch in enemy territory, and one very small rubber bombshell. Last week I found myself in Clermont-Ferrand — spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Automotive Events, Cars and bits | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Chinese name

Posted on May 11, 2026 by JJS

So I have a Chinese name, a must officially when applying for a work visa. Mine was suggested to me by the manageress of the induction course I attended prior to settling in Shanghai for my 3 years stint. 苏杰 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Excursion en Auvergne

Posted on May 11, 2026 by JJS

There are birthday parties, and then there are birthday parties. Bob II’s 80th fell squarely into the second category — though why the “II”, I shall not explain here. Life is too short, and besides, some mysteries are best left … Continue reading →

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Grey monday meets British comedy gold

Posted on May 4, 2026 by JJS

Monday morning has delivered its verdict, and it is not pretty. The skies over Carcassonne have gone full British — a thick, low ceiling of grey that seems less like weather and more like a personal affront. The thermometer has … Continue reading →

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