That’s very funny.

Might not be a bad idea. And the Cabinet would be beautifully dressed.

Whenever I see Mahmood written on its own like that I think of the singer…

I just made myself laugh by misinterpreting ‘common’ and thought of so many conversations between my mother and her friends. Eating in the street. Chewing gum. Not using a tablecloth. Etc… 😂

That really sums it up, sadly.

Grotesque

They never have Essex. We wouldn’t want them to anyway.

Lovely! How’s your olive harvest? I read something yesterday that said the harvest in southern France had been poor this year.

Just finished the Magus. I chuckled at the first lines of the acknowledgements… I had been worried about the absence of Nathan. I needn’t have. I really loved the characters and the plot. Makes me want to to go back to Sicily. Thank you!

Really interesting article. It’s so powerful to read about real people’s experiences of the NHS. I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better.

Not sure if they still exist but in the early 80s Findus Crispy Pancakes came with a mozzarella and tomato filling in Italy. Sofficini Findus, I think. I really liked them. My aunt bought them for me but nobody else would touch them. My uncle said he’d rather eat ‘un manego de scova’.

I live in Dorset so the Poole - Cherbourg ferry is an easy trip to France. I love exploring Normandy by train and car. Caen, Honfleur, Deauville, Trouville and the magnificent abbey at Lisieux are particular highlights as well as the food…

On the TGV, the guard tells you off. Never seen that over here.

I hate that scramble on planes. You should only be able to take one bit of hand luggage. The rest goes in the hold.

I’m still furious about Brexit. And I hate how politicians just aren’t talking about it. Never forgive. Never forget.

I love the ‘Gay Nights’ sheets. Maybe that’s what did it!

This was the menu at the agriturismo near my village in Italy the other Sunday. Delicious and homely. The ossobuco was amazing and we took some home to make a delicious pasta sauce the next day. And just look at those prices! So easy to eat well and cheaply in Italy.

I always loved the name of that station! Sparks the imagination.