My blog site has been a bit “wonky” lately. Perhaps you received a half-baked post never intended for prime time, or you see photos appearing in strange places. The fact is, I’m working on a new website design with features I think you’ll love. Meanwhile, I’m discovering that […]
Solo travel is the passion that started it all, and it’s still my favorite way to see the world. Here are some tips I’ve learned.
One of France’s most charming and popular destinations It seems more and more people want to know about Uzès. The growing crowds and booming rental market say this medieval town is fast becoming a hot spot in the south of France. Uzès is within easy traveling distance from […]
Peta Mathias, the New Zealand book author, TV personality, and former Paris restaurant owner heads straight for the Uzès farmers market when she arrives at her south of France home — especially when she’s been stuck in lockdown for 36 months. On her shopping trips, there are often six or more guests from her culinary tour or cooking classes who are hanging on her every word.
Running away from Covid doesn’t work. If it did, dashing back and forth to stay ahead or rush ahead of it failed me. This week Covid caught me. All along, I thought it was my twice-annual allergy sickness. All the same symptoms and feelings. It wasn’t until I […]
Uzès Truffle Festival 2023 is here! Let’s take a look back … _________________________________________________________________________ Saturday night I served a fancy pork terrine bought in the Loire Valley to friends who were in town for Uzès’ Truffle Festival. That bite of pork could have been my last. I’m in love […]
The French know how to do the holidays. Here are some of my favorite holiday places in France, along with 2021 event schedules. I could visit over and over again. You may want to put some of these on your travel list, too! Best Christmas Markets Alsace A […]
Searching for lavender fields close to Uzès isn’t just for tourists. Locals take great pleasure in finding them too — off the beaten track — in a charming town — with a great restaurant. Goudargues is one of those special places. Less than an hour’s drive from Uzès, […]
After seven years of living in France, I’ve found a suitable companion. Now I’m learning about life in Uzès traveling with a pet. Meet Fanny. Fanny came into my life six weeks ago. Now, we’re inseparable. My friend Aileen brought Fanny from Sete. Aileen knows how much I […]
After months of lockdown, we’re ready to open again! Tomorrow is the grand re-opening in Uzès of shops and cafes with outside dining. Ready… Set … Let’s Go! There’s lots of activity in Uzès this week with business owners tidying up their spaces after a long, long time […]
Now that I’ve dealt with the humbling experience of failing the French drivers’ code test not once, but six times, I’ll make this post short and sweet After the first disastrous French drivers’ code examination in Nimes — with a translator (read more here) I braved on to […]
Last I wrote about the stress of studying for the French drivers’ code test. It’s one of the most aggravating tasks I’ve encountered since living in France. Now I can attest to the agony of failing it. Yes, I failed the test, along with my two American friends […]
As much as I’d love to write a blog post this week, I’m too busy stressing! The French drivers’ code test is on tap for February 16th. Finally! there’s a date for the first part of my French Drivers License – the code test. I promise it’s one […]
My BFF Patricia Sands just published the re-release of her novel, The Bridge Club. The book is a celebration of friendship shared with eight women over a half-century… and counting. The Bridge Club: A Celebration of Friendship Patricia and I met in Uzès five years ago at the […]
Snow in Uzès! Remember how excited you were as a child when you looked out your window, and there was snow on the ground? That’s how I felt when we had snow in Uzès. It was glorious! As you can imagine, it doesn’t often snow in the south […]
“Tis the day after Christmas in Uzès. For those who wish you could see the decorations and holiday market in my favorite town, enjoy the tour! While you’re here, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings for the day. I’m no poet, yet it came out […]
During the times I was away from my French home in the winter months, I wished I could see what I was missing. I longed for a December walk around Uzès. Now that I’m firmly planted here for a while, I’d like to share what I’m seeing. So […]
Thanksgiving for Americans in Uzés this year is truly a story of sharing. One traditional Thanksgiving meal fed over two dozen Americans, in thirteen different households, plus leftovers to share with the local Montessori school. The idea was the brainchild of one of our favorite friends and gourmet […]
Uzès is on the second COVID lockdown. For a small town, we are experiencing a serious outburst of infections. Stone walls and lofty towers are not protecting us from the pandemic. Right now, there are very few places in the world to hide from the virus. For me, […]
I’m inspired to know people who are staying productive and creative during COVID. While I was in the United States, there were artists in lockdown here in Uzès who created memorable art they are now sharing. British artist Gilly Beal, a resident of Uzès for the past two […]