Travel Stories

The first time I went to  France I ate my way across the country. I remember one particular time when I was invited to a family lunch by one of my students. It was an idyllic French scene. We were about 20 around a large table, al fresco in the countryside.     The first…

When I take pictures for my blog, I sometimes first go looking for related photography from the professionals for inspiration. I know quite a few in this field, many of whom I am delighted to say read my blog. Julie Williams is one of these talented people, an award-winning photographer, who is able to capture life’s…

  Warning: Don’t read this on a FULL Stomach! Is it possible to have a bad meal in Paris? Oh yes, but most of the time eating out in this city is wonderful — a feast for the senses. I generally frequent the local bistros wherever I am staying there,  BUT I have a wishlist…

  Welcome Back Dear Readers! And welcome to a new season of Woman of A Certain Age In Paris! Lots in store for you in the coming months making the most of virtual travel until we can do the real thing again. I thought I would start off with a fall visit to Strasbourg! In…

  Have you ever walked the labyrinth in Chartres?   Chartres is 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Paris which makes it ideal for a one-day visit.  It’s a picturesque city along the Eure river where the main tourist attraction is the cathedral, and that is the first thing you see on the hill when…

  First of all, I want to thank every one of you who entered the contest last week.  There were so many entries that I had the names of the winners within a few hours and wished I could gift you all a book! The winners had to be in the order of the 1st,…

Today I go LIVE with my NEW Paris Book Club!  I have created a comprehensive list of Personal Memoirs written by WOMEN about their adventures in Paris and other parts of la belle France. I’ve  personally read and reviewed each one of these books and they are on my website under BOOK CLUB. Interview Series Later this…

Did you know that in 1835 the beret was adopted by soldiers in France who began wearing blue ones to show that they were elite members of the French Army? Then, in the 1920s, the beret became popular in French fashion for women, as well as for men.  In fact, it became such a cliché…

  God, my Dad could be difficult, impossible, and infuriating… And how I loved him. I miss his sense of humour and fun. Dad had a way words and storytelling, and most of all, that he had a sparkle in his eye that never ever diminished, not even with age and creeping dementia. My Dad…

Painting by Sylvia Kingsley, UK   Connecting with women all over the world is one of the best things about having a blog. So, let me introduce you to three of my loyal readers, in Europe and beyond, with whom I keep in regular contact. I am happy to say that during this difficult time,…