I’m starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with me. We’re 26 days into the official confinement in France, it’s been 27 days since I had a conversation with another human face-to-face, and 29 days have passed since I saw anyone I actually know. Not that I’m counting or anything. But if I was, I... Continue Reading →
Single in the City of Love
Single for the first time since the age of 19, I recently ventured onto the dating scene in Paris - via the weird world of dating apps. And it really is a bloody weird world.
First Frost
This morning saw the first frost of the year, at least as far as my own experience goes. Not in my neighbourhood - central Paris rarely sees frost at all. But arriving in Boulogne-Billancourt for work today, once I had managed to squeeze my way through the tangle of people inadvertently blockading the doors of... Continue Reading →
Language of Love & Logic (Sort Of)
French is often known as the ‘language of love’, whilst Latin languages (the group to which French belongs) are generally considered to be particularly romantic – in fact, an alternative term for ‘Latin languages’ is ‘romance languages’. However, French isn’t just romantic – it can be highly practical, too. Echoing the directness of its native... Continue Reading →
Paris is Closed
Paris in August is a strange phenomenon. The holiday allowance is so generous for most people working in France, that it’s perfectly common to take three weeks, if not a whole month, of leave in the summer. I’d hazard a (completely unsubstantiated and non-scientific) guess that about 90% of Parisians depart from the city for... Continue Reading →
What Is This “Concise” You Speak Of?
I’ve gotten so lax with posting regularly. It’s more difficult than I thought, this blogging malarkey. Certainly, it’s far more time-consuming. I keep telling myself that I should write shorter posts – if I spend less time writing them, I’d surely write more. And they’d be quicker to read, which, I’m told, is The Key... Continue Reading →
Head Over Heels
This is a short post to announce that, as of last week*, I am now the exceptionally proud and delighted owner of one authentic 1960’s typewriter. For someone who endeavours to fill their life with as many attractive clichés as possible, the mere fact of ownership is enough to please all by itself. The thought... Continue Reading →
Baffled By Brunch
Happy May 1st! And a happy day it is indeed, for me anyway, because in France, it’s a national holiday! On a Tuesday, too, which is a huge novelty for someone who has grown up in England, where mid-week bank holidays are simply not a thing - unless it’s Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year’s... Continue Reading →
Easter in Paris
Joyeuses Pâques! A little late, I know - but as I hope most people were, I was somewhat busy with general Easter merriment over the weekend, and blogging just had to wait. Sorry! Anyway, I hope it isn’t too late for you to be interested in reading about French Easter tradition, because that is what... Continue Reading →
Just When You Thought You Were Settled
A very good/bad thing happened last week (was it really only a week ago? Goodness.). You may have read in one of my earlier posts that the best things about my job were: The view from the very large window next to my desk (Eiffel Tower, anyone?) My boss is possibly the nicest woman on... Continue Reading →