Dear Readers (she writes, imagining she’s a 1980’s Agony Aunt/Domestic Goddess column writer, punching fruitlessly onto a click-clack old computer keyboard while trying to solve the culinary disasters of her loyal fan base.) I’m hanging out on my most awesome terrace this morning, because its really the first time I can do it for this … More Summer 2017
Look at that date- 12 July. Â Its our 4 year anniversary here in France. Naturally, I want to wax lyrical about what we have achieved in 4 years, or not achieved, perhaps, or to reflect on what we have learnt, but I am not quite ready to chatter about moody reflections right now. However, there … More 4 Years, and The Leaving
Beth once asked me a few years back what my super power was (they were watching something about super-heroes I think). I replied with the suggestion that my ‘super power’ was growing children, because in all fairness, while we do parenthood willingly and with all our heart, we all do need to admit that their … More Mystery Basket Magic
Hello from the bus stop on Blvd d’Anver! I’m standing here waiting for the 2 Bus shivering in my soaked Vans look-alike shoes, my pink umbrella dripping and my khaki trench-coat a variety of motley browns highlighting where the drenching rain has fallen on me. While it sucks to be wet, I am grateful for … More Friday morning and a need a cuppa
Monday morning, post <<vacance de printemps>> and my eyes wonder around the vestiges of the holiday. So much to do- have a cup of coffee, run the vacumm cleaner over the floors, boil the kettle for tea, tidy up the girls bedroom, have a cup of coffee and make fruit salad for breakfast, send off … More Have a quick coffee with me…
Earlier today at the pub, I mentioned to my colleague that when we arrived here, I started a blog, about our lives were, and what was happening. Â I regaled this in order to lead onto a conversation about Urbex photography, and how 2 years ago, a girl emailed me asking me if I knew of … More Spring 2017
Dear friends, First and foremost, I wish to humbly ask your forgiveness for my very chronic all time low letter on Monday night. Â Ironically, I wasn’t even a little pissed when I wrote it, I was just hurting like hell after what had been a difficult weekend, after a tumultuous 7 months. Secondly, I … More Recall
Tuesday morning:  I’ve been pottering about the apartment this morning, taking in the music playing in the background (Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift- thanks girls for the new playlist to my life), cooking for dinner tonight and going through the washing motions, while trying to come up with a inviting opening line to a new wintery … More Winter 2017
Monday evening, Boxing Day. As usual, my husband is at work, despite the public holiday. Right now its hard not to be bitter about it, but such is whats normal chez on a la moment. It’s probably better for all of us for the time being- space may, or may not, lead to a greater … More The Day After Christmas
Happy mid-November everyone! And happy 40-days til Christmas!!  Goodness gracious me… I opened up my blog site this morning and found the most recent draft was entitled “November already!”  and I had opened it with the above lines, which I have now struck through! Sadly, its no longer November, and Christmas is 2 and a … More I have another job.
Since our return to Strasbourg after our rather long holiday, I have had a to-do list stuck on my fridge. It covers a selection of random goals that need to be achieved- some short term and easy to achieve (meet NvM for coffee at Brant on Tuesday), some short term but require more will power … More I HAVE A JOB
Here’s a bit of advice I can give you for free. Marriage is hard. If I think back to my childhood, I think I imagined marriage to be great big white wedding dresses and awesome rock star parties that lasted forever. Marriage clearly equaled a wedding, for me, at some random age growing up. Â Naturally, … More 10 Years
Thursday morning, winter in South Africa and here I am reclining on a chair on the sunny veranda of my in-laws. My feet are propped up on the ‘balustrade’ and I have bottle of water at my elbow. It’s too early for wine and too hot for coffee or tea, would you believe? A short … More Summer/Winter holiday, South Africa 2016
Helloooooo, and a Happy Friday to you all out there today! I hope that all is well with you- I am sorry if it has been a while since I was in touch with you personally, I feel like I should know what you’ve been up to, what’s making you smile, and what is giving … More June 2016
Thursday morning, and I have just finished a cup of tea and breakfast. Breakfast was an exciting South African Feurte avocado on toasted baguette. I know I shouldn’t be buying fruit and vegetables that costs the atmosphere gazillions of a carbon footprint, but the idea of a perfectly ripened Feurte avocado from home was just hard to resist. I’m … More The Work Blog
Where, oh where has my Spring gone? Last week was absolutely brilliant-overnight rain, chilly but clear mornings, followed by the sun shining brightly and warming up everything from the tulips, to the squirrels and bees, and us lovely mommies all gathered at pick-up time. We conveniently forgot the homework that lay in wait, and the … More And Chapter 77
My darling friends, I started this last Tuesday, and wrote and wrote and wrote, until I checked the word count. At 2700-odd words I figured you’d sooner delete this post than attempt to find the time between fighting kids, working, and everything else that is more exciting! SO I pressed Ctrl, A and Delete to … More The Berlin Blog
I’ve just dragged a lonesome sweet-potato out of my veggie-bin; scrutinised it with a suspicion normally set aside for delinquent children, and with an indignant ‘hurumph’ peeled it and chopped it for dinner tonight. It has been 15 years since I first came across an orange sweet potato. Back home, sweet potatoes have that purple-y … More Potato v Potato
Hello my dear friendies, I am not going to lie to you, today I am in a rotten, rotten mood. Something set it off, and I am currently feeling quite overwhelmed with a feeling of dread. What set I off? Is it to do with the fact that tomorrow is would be Moms 65th birthday, … More And Daily Saving Adjustment
There is an English association here in Strasbourg that hosts an English short story writing competition. As you can imagine, I decided to enter, and this year my entry was strongly influenced by events of the last year. I wrote the piece in one session, and I thought it was credible enough to warrant a … More … and the Short Story
Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals 