Category Archives: lifestyle

bored of the flies…..

Posted on June 9, 2016 by

The sun has finally, if temporarily, ceased its curmudgeonly behaviour and has had the good seasonal grace  to put on its hat and come out to play.Summer’s forte lies in promises rather than foreplay and as these promises are so … Continue reading →

Posted in 2016, Art photography, Digital photography, Drinks, Emotion, Expectation, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, Humour, lifestyle, Photography, summer, Uncategorized, wine, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

…it’s a photography holiday..but not as we know it, Jim…

Posted on January 6, 2016 by

Camerahols are dead, long live Vendée Holidays. Just when I thought the time had come for me to perfect the art of selfishly lazing around a pool, a vibrant young couple, Matt and Emily Clark, have recruited me to work … Continue reading →

Posted in 2016, Digital photography, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, French countryside, Landscapes, lifestyle, Markets, photography course, Photography holiday, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

grumpy santa’s golden balls….

Posted on November 13, 2015 by

Being that we are, if not renowned, at least known for our minimalist Christmas decorations which, were it not for our grandchildren could easily descend to many degrees below minimal, you can imagine my surprise when I was, this very … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Digital photography, Humour, lifestyle, Photography, Still life | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

the best legs in Lyon….

Posted on August 6, 2015 by

The streets of Vieux Lyon take on even more charm when seen through the legs of an unusually good Côte Rôtie. Its goodness is guaranteed as it has been selected and poured by Georges dos Santos, a man who is regarded … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Art photography, Digital photography, Drinks, Excellence, Excess, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, grapes, Humour, lifestyle, Photographic Prints, Photography, Uncategorized, Wine, wine, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Still waters…eaux de vie..

Posted on April 30, 2015 by

This man is disappearing. When I came to France, some 14 years ago, he and his brethren were part of the fabric of country life. He is a “bouilleur ambulant” or a peripatetic distiller; a bringer of joy and a creator … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, apples, Art photography, Drinks, Eau de vie, Excellence, Food photographer, France, French countryside, Fruit, Humour, lifestyle, Memory, Pears, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

I’m glad the rain does not raineth every day..

Posted on April 26, 2015 by

…but I stifled a cry of pleasure as I awoke to the welcome drumbeat of heavy rain which sounded like a heavenly annunciation that I would not be spending my day, as a latter day Sisyphus, endlessly filling and emptying a wheelbarrow with … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, Art photography, Breakfast, Childhood memories, Digital photography, Eggs, Emotion, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, Fried eggs, Humour, lifestyle, Memory, Photographic Prints, Photography, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

A puree of Gorgons’ heads…

Posted on January 18, 2015 by

“Cheap” is a much maligned word. Cheap skate, cheap shot, dirt cheap and on the cheap are terms that denigrate, that define something or someone as less than it or they should be. In our wealth driven society a divide has appeared. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, apples, Apricot jam, Baking, bananas, Caroline Conran, Cookery Writers, Cooking, Cuisine bourgeoise, desserts, Digital photography, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, friendship, Fruit, Garden, Gardening, leeks, Leeks in red wine, lifestyle, Mary Cadogan, Pear Sponge tart, Pears, Photography, photography course, tart, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

buzzing….

Posted on October 17, 2014 by

I remember reading, in a book whose name I have now forgotten, of how the human voice resembles the senseless buzzing of an insect to the ear of a cat. Whether this opinion was gleaned from a cat or from … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, Art photography, Digital photography, France, French countryside, harmony, Landscapes, lifestyle, Photographic Prints, Photography, photography course, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Coming out of one’s shell…

Posted on August 18, 2014 by

Me: “I’d like six half crabs to pick up early on Saturday morning, please” Fish counter person: ” Would you like them alive or cooked, Sir” My look of surprise touched with horror made it clear that I was against the … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, crab, Digital photography, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, lifestyle, Photography, photography course, seafood, Sex, Uncategorized, Vendee, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments

Big name hunting in Lyon..

Posted on July 23, 2014 by

Five days of five courses has led me to believe that the current medical sound byte of “five a day for a healthy lifestyle” has been misinterpreted by the Lyonnais. The five pieces of fruit are replaced by five easy … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, Digital photography, Excellence, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, Humour, lifestyle, Photography, photography course, Uncategorized, wine, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments