Islam
Death in Lyon
When our neighbours travel, we look after the cat. Being a feline, at feeding time we go to it, not it to us. But upon their return, her owners come to us bearing a present. [more…]
France
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week Three Hundred And One
Monday Good morning, my friends. I’m delighted it was a bit warmer and dry this morning when the man let me out of the back door. Legohead is back from Chequers and still not happy. [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week Two Hundred And Ninety-Seven
Monday Good morning, friends, and it was a delightfully sunny one for my excursion this morning. Felix Chicken for breakfast, and a new cabinet. It’s going to be an interesting week. I haven’t stopped chuckling [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week Two Hundred And Eighty-Eight
Monday Good morning all, it was very wet in London when I hurried down the garden this morning. I was delighted to find Felix Chicken in my bowl when I got back. I hear that [more…]
20th Century
Desert Mystery: “Letters from a Feldgrau” Part Two
In Part 1, I recounted what Hans Coutandin had written to his girlfriend Eva Möller in his letters of early 1941 as he transitioned from being an “Arbeitsmann” in the “RAD-Abteilung 3/250” to be in [more…]
20th Century
Every Button is a Bit of France
18 August 1944 Ten minutes ago the shock-headed young signalman came swaying across the signals deck and grinned at me. He made a noise like a dive-bomber and his hands mimed an Focke-Wulf Fw 190 [more…]
20th Century
Algiers in May 1944, By John Alldridge
The stout proprietor of the Cafe de la Liberte across the street was tugging down the yellow and red striped awning as I passed him this morning. In the lounge of the Aletti Hotel they [more…]
Arts
A true Beauty – The Depth and Limits of Alain Delon
Forgive me, Puffins. I know he’s French. And an Actor. But I’d like to talk about Alain Delon’s face for a minute. In truth, it’s hard not to. Certainly, in the early years of his [more…]
20th Century
European Journey 1953, Part Eight – Sezanne
This small French town of Sezanne is one of those places — like Crewe — that you are always passing through but somehow never get to know. Three routes nationales converge on it like the [more…]