From early on in my life I have always had a fascination about the career and death of the British cyclist Tommy Simpson. In my youth I was a keen cyclist, but I never cycled competitively. I had one of those ‘Can you remember where you were when JFK was shot?’ moments in 1967 when Simpson died that July day during the Tour de France on his ascent of Mt Ventoux. I do remember exactly where I was when Kennedy died. I was in a fish and chip shop in Darwen, Lancashire – my hometown. I clearly remember my parents and everyone around being very shocked.
Category Archives: Memoirs
Discovering my family in Victorian Preston Lancashire
This photo always intrigued me. It was in a collection that once belonged to my great grandfather John Richard Parker who was from Preston. He was a notable footballer in the 1890’s and had a good career as a mill manager. He was an active participant in local life including the Preston guild. The photosContinue reading “Discovering my family in Victorian Preston Lancashire”
NEW FRENCH TRAVEL BOOK – Out Today – Cordes Sur Ciel and a whole Lot of rain
This excerpt is from my forthcoming French travel book, the fifth in my Series of French travel memoirs. Please enjoy and the book will be released in the spring. It will take you on a tour of France from Calais to the South and back through Brittany and Normandy. It is time to move on,Continue reading “NEW FRENCH TRAVEL BOOK – Out Today – Cordes Sur Ciel and a whole Lot of rain”
Normandy – History, Markets and Food to Start Touring France
The dawn chorus was just thinking about making an appearance when we started our approach to the ferry terminal at Portsmouth. It was then that I realized why my mouth had gone so dry and my hands were shaking. I had not got the faintest idea of how to proceed to the ferry and an embarrassed fear set in. Where on earth do I go – what lane do I take?
Starting in Normandy – First Impressions
The dawn chorus was just thinking about making an appearance when we started our approach to the ferry terminal at Portsmouth. It was then that I realized why my mouth had gone so dry and my hands were shaking. I had not got the faintest idea of how to proceed to the ferry and an embarrassed fear set in. Where on earth do I go – what lane do I take?
Chocolat filmed in the quietest film location village in Burgundy
Taken from my NEW book released on July 7th Chocolat This destination is one of our favourites – Northern Burgundy. It is a much neglected part of France from a tourist standpoint. To the north is Champagne with its landscape of gently rolling vine covered hillsides. The towns of Champagne are steeped in wine makingContinue reading “Chocolat filmed in the quietest film location village in Burgundy”
Tommy Simpson and our Ascent of Mont Ventoux
From early on in my life I have always had a fascination about the career and death of the British cyclist Tommy Simpson. In my youth I was a keen cyclist, but I never cycled competitively. I had one of those ‘Can you remember where you were when JFK was shot?’ moments in 1967 when Simpson died that July day during the Tour de France on his ascent of Mt Ventoux. I do remember exactly where I was when Kennedy died. I was in a fish and chip shop in Darwen, Lancashire – my hometown. I clearly remember my parents and everyone around being very shocked.
NEW French Travel Book out NOW – Photography from the Book
Please enjoy this selection of photography from my new book It is taken on Fuji print film and Nikon & Olympus Digital Cameras Number 1 New Release on Amazon My fifth book about our twenty five years of French travel is due out in the summer of 2022, early July. It is mainly new writingContinue reading “NEW French Travel Book out NOW – Photography from the Book”
From my NEW FRENCH TRAVEL BOOK -Chocolat filmed in the quietest film location village in Burgundy
Taken from my NEW book released on July 7th Chocolat This destination is one of our favourites – Northern Burgundy. It is a much neglected part of France from a tourist standpoint. To the north is Champagne with its landscape of gently rolling vine covered hillsides. The towns of Champagne are steeped in wine makingContinue reading “From my NEW FRENCH TRAVEL BOOK -Chocolat filmed in the quietest film location village in Burgundy”
Chocolat filmed in the quietest film location village in Burgundy
Taken from my NEW book released on July 7th Chocolat This destination is one of our favourites – Northern Burgundy. It is a much neglected part of France from a tourist standpoint. To the north is Champagne with its landscape of gently rolling vine covered hillsides. The towns of Champagne are steeped in wine makingContinue reading “Chocolat filmed in the quietest film location village in Burgundy”
French Travel Books - France, Paris, Provence & French Food & Wine 