Rain or shine 🇬🇧

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The art of coffee capsule organisation

🇬🇧

A prelude to hosting

There used to be something quite satisfying about filling up your coffee capsule holder. Neatly arranged rows of different colors, each representing a unique strength of coffee, from the mildest morning brew to the boldest evening espresso. It was like creating a miniature rainbow of caffeine, a visual symphony that promised a perfect cup for every mood and moment.

But now, with guests arriving in a few days and staying for quite a few more, the stakes are higher. The coffee capsule holder must be more than just a pretty display; it must be a fortress of flavor, ready to withstand the onslaught of caffeine cravings from dawn till dusk.

First, the coffee. Each row must be meticulously curated. The mild, gentle blends for the early risers who need a soft nudge into the day. The medium roasts for the mid-morning pick-me-ups, and the dark, robust espressos for those who need a serious jolt to power through the afternoon. And let’s not forget the decaf, for those rare souls who seek the taste without the buzz.

Next, the gin and whisky. Because, let’s face it, after a day of entertaining, you’ll need something a bit stronger than coffee. The gin, with its botanical notes, perfect for a refreshing G&T as the sun sets. The whisky, smooth and warming, ideal for a nightcap as the conversations wind down.

So, as you prepare your home for the impending invasion of guests, remember this: a well-stocked coffee capsule holder is not just a convenience, it’s a statement. It says, “I am ready for anything. I have thought of everything. And I have the caffeine (and the gin and whisky) to prove it.”

Happy hosting!

🍸☕🥃


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Le Mans 2025

My friend and previous Le Mans enthusiast mentioned to me earlier this week that after a break of a few years, he would not mind doing another Le …

Le Mans 2025
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Saturday blues 🇬🇧🇫🇷

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Dilemme

J’habite dans une région et surtout un département qui malgré les beaux paysages et la douceur de vivre est malgré tout assez pauvre avec à mon avis un manque évident d’industries pour créer des emplois et la richesse nécessaire à une croissance. L’industrie principale étant la vigne et le tourisme. Il y a beaucoup d’opposants a l’extension de l’industrie avec le slogan “Pas de béton sur nos terres agricoles”.

C’est ne pas regarder la situation en face. Avec le réchauffement climatique, il va falloir changer l’agriculture. De plus les gens au niveau mondial consomment de mois en moins de vin.

Il y a donc pour moi un débat urgent à tenir pour définir les besoins du futur proche.

Hors nous sommes en plein milieu des élections législatives et c’est plus que navrant de voir qu’au deuxième tour le choix est entre deux candidats qui non seulement sont complètement à côté de la plaque mais aussi très dangereux.

Christophe Barthès du Rassemblement National et Philippe Poutou du Front Populaire. Deux extrêmes complètement opposés.

Je me demande pourquoi les gens osent voter pour le Rassemblement / Front National qui n’est qu’un parti de racistes / nazis sans programme sauf d’effrayer les gens sur le thème de l’immigration comme si c’était la raison de tous les problèmes de la France.

Il vaut mieux trouver des solutions pour gérer l’immigration qui ne peut qu’augmenter en vue entre autre du changement climatique et les conflits qui font rage.

Quand au Front Populaire qui n’est qu’une bande de clowns soutenu par example par cet idiot de La France Insoumise, je nomme Mélanchon il y a peu de choses à dire car je me demande même si ils sont capables d’ajouter 2+2 et seront donc incompetents au pouvoir.

Alors que faire?

📍Ne pas voter n’est pas raisonnable.

📍Absolument contrer le Front National est un devoir.

📍Les conséquences sont assez importantes au niveau national. 

📍Faut t’il envisager de déménager? Une autre région ou mieux encore un autre pays?

📍Se distancer de tous ceux qui votent pour le Front National et j’en connais quelques uns dans ma ville et dans mes connaissances. 

En tout cas je passe de mauvais jours en ce moment grace à la connerie de beaucoup.

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A good friend 🇬🇧

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The month that was – June 2024

Ah, June 2024, you sneaky month, you slipped through my fingers like a greased-up Triumph Stag on a rally track! As I ponder where you’ve dashed off to, I must confess, the last 30 days have been a whirlwind of adventure and rubber-burning escapades.

The saga commenced in the twilight of May, with my friend Chris from Devon roaring up to my doorstep in his time-traveling 1974 Triumph Stag, fresh from the past and ready for the Déjà Vu Monte Carlo Rallye. A year’s worth of anticipation culminated in a dash of derring-do and petrol-fueled passion, all chronicled on my blog .

Barely had I kicked off my driving gloves at home, it was time to chart the next course—a multi-leg odyssey that’s still a work-in-progress on my digital diary.

Here’s the scoop, in headlines fit for a tabloid

1. Le Mans or Bust: Zipped to the legendary 24H race, scooping up my pal Brigitte in Tours. Spoiler: the race was a corker!

2. Evening in Versailles: Post-race, zoomed to Guyancourt to break bread with Christian and his clan.

3. Parisian Rush Hour Rumble: The next morning, braved the snarl of Paris to rendezvous with my American friend Alice, fresh off the plane from the Big Apple. Post-lunch, snagged my better half, Carole, from the TGV’s clutches.

4. Tourist Trap Extravaganza: Played the gawking sightseers in Paris, my birthplace from a cool 70 years back.

5. Belgian BBQ Bonanza: Next stop, Liege, to kibitz with Doodie, an old school chum of Carole’s. The grill was hot, and my Z’s were sound.

6. Hannover Hangout: Then, a jaunt to Hannover for a 10-day family-and-friends marathon, peppered with babysitting gigs and a birthday bash to ring in my sprightly 71st.

7. Alpine Sprint: The homeward haul kicked off with a pedal-to-the-metal dash to Austria, a snooze in Dornbirn, then a leisurely cruise through Switzerland and Italy to the sun-kissed Côte d’Azur.

8. Homestretch Hustle: The final leg was a breezy 400km jaunt, punctuated by a pit stop to gab with my friend Gerard in Pezenas.

Now, 4,621 kilometres richer in memories, I’m back in the saddle at home base, gearing up for a July jamboree of guests, galas, and gigs. Here’s hoping the sun keeps its hat on for the festivities!

🌞🎉

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A few days away

DRAFT

And a lot of kilometres, 4.621km to be precise

 🚩Part 1 – From Carcassonne to Royan 🇫🇷🇬🇧

  🚩Part 2 – From Royan to Tours 🇫🇷🇬🇧 – Being worked on

  🚩Part 3 – Le Mans 24h The race 🇬🇧 (Draft)

  🚩Part 4 – From Le Mans to Guyancourt (To come)

  🚩Part 5 – From Guyancourt to Paris 🇬🇧

 🚩Part 6 – Paris (To come)

 🚩Part 7 – From Paris to Liège (To come)

 🚩Part 8 – From Liège to Hannover 🇫🇷🇬🇧🇩🇪 (A funny tale)

 🚩Part 9 – Hannover I 🇬🇧

🚩Part 10 – Hannover and Algermissen 🇬🇧

🚩 Part 11 – Algermissen I 🇬🇧

🚩 Part 12 – Algermissen II 🇬🇧

 🚩Part 13 – Algermissen and Hannover 🇬🇧

🚩Part 14 – Algermissen III 🇬🇧

🚩Part 15 – Gehrden for the last time 🇬🇧

🚩Part 16 – Algermissen for the last time (to come)

🚩Part 17 – Austria 🇦🇹 here we come (to come)

🚩Part 18 – On the way to the French Riviera 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪

🚩 Part 19 – In Cavalaire (to come)

🚩 Part 20 – Final stretch home (to come)


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SMS and iMessages issue

Problem finally solved

I probably looked at it 50 times on each device (phone, tablet etc) and never realised that the telephone number was no longer ticked. Probably due to the eSim I had installed when traveling to Africa.


A few weeks ago I suddenly could not send SMS or iMessages from my iPad, MacBook Air or iMac anymore. However, all messages received on my iPhone are still shown in the above mentioned items.

I have tried all recommended settings to no avail.

Am I the only one in this situation? Can anyone help me?

Below are the recommended settings which I have checked:

If your Mac Book Air can receive iMessages and SMS but cannot send, here are some steps to troubleshoot the issue:

  1. Check Internet Connection: Ensure that your Mac is connected to the internet. You should be able to load webpages and receive emails.
  2. Restart Your Mac: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve messaging issues.
  3. Update macOS: Install the latest macOS updates to ensure your system is up-to-date.
  4. Verify Date & Time Settings: Make sure the date and time on your Mac are correct. Incorrect settings can affect messaging.
  5. Check Recipient Details: Confirm that you’re addressing messages to the correct phone number or email address.
  6. Text Message Forwarding: If you’re using iMessage, ensure that your iPhone is turned on and that Text Message Forwarding is set up correctly. This allows messages to sync between your iPhone and Mac.
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Le Mans week 2024 🇬🇧🇫🇷

And just to wet your appetite

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