Thursday, January 20, 2011

IF YOU WISH TO 'SPEED' IN FRANCE THIS YEAR - DON'T!

Charles Bremner, The London Times Correspondent and one of my favorite reporters, just posted this warning on his London Times Blog this morning.

'Watch out if you are one of those foreigners who to treat French motorways as an invitation to drive flat out. You may find a new beast in your rearview mirror.

The Gendarmerie have just bought a fleet of pumped up ... er, Renaults, that will enable them to catch up with all but the fastest law-breakers. All right, the words Renault Mégane smack more of the school run than race track, but the gendarmes have a special edition of the already sporty RS version, which they say will do 255 kph or 160 mph. That should be enough to collar most of the Britons, Dutch and others who blast down the autoroutes of France believing they are immune to the speed limit (while speed cameras now force the poor French to obey it more or less). Only the Porsches, Bentleys and other expensive bollides will be able to outrun them.

The French have taken a while to catch up with police forces in other countries who long ago adopted high-performance cars. It's still rare to see patrols on the motorways and when you do, they are usually vans or family estate cars and there even still a few ancient Renault 4s around. For the past five years, the gendarmes have been running a few fast Subaru Imprezas. These will be replaced by 70 Renaults.

The Gendarmerie has also finally given up its attachment to dull blue, thus near invisible, patrol cars. The new Renaults are decked out in high visibility stripes, though they keep the military blue as the overall colour. In another concession to modernity, the cars will have a signal panel which can order drivers to "Suivez-Moi" (Follow Me) . The instructions will be in French only of course.
The national police (quite distinct from the Gendarmerie) have also lately adopted new paintwork for their vehicles, which patrol the towns and cities. This consists of the same old white with tasteful red stripes but the effect is more stylish. Still, nothing as vulgar as the dog's dinner in Day Glo that is sported by British police and emergency vehicles. "









Monday, January 17, 2011

Bike, Eat, Drink and Sleep - Come and Join Me On A Burgundy Bike Trip.


Not being one prone to do any exercise, it’s the Lewis Code, Mind You - A few years ago I was forced to do a biking weekend in the wine country of Northern California and after much hand wringing and digging my feet in, I did it and found.... I loved it. Not only was the pace slow and at your own speed ( the scenery was fabulous) and you could do as much or little biking as your wished to (there was always a van behind you to take you back to your deluxe hotel for well deserved rest and drink –( great wine - and food). Now, I am thinking of doing a bike tour, this year - in one of my favorite regions of France, Burgundy in September. This is not camping, NO INDEED, the digs will be deluxe, the food Michelin starred and the wine- well what can I say, It's Burgundy. Andy Levine, owner of Duvine Adventures (an expert in boutique French bike tours) said he would be happy to put together a trip for myself and a few clients/friends. I think no more people than 12 at the max. That means more wine to share!

The bike tour would be about 6 days and include bikes, guides and van, hotels, food, wine, site seeing specials and more…….. The cost per person would be in the range of $4200.00

So I am just tossing this out to see if anyone might be interested in joining me.

We would Bicycle through two millennia of viticulture in Burgundy through this incredible region of France. Imagine cycling along gently rolling hills, wooded paths, and passing vineyards as far as the eye can see, you'll even bike right by a coveted vineyard of Charlemagne.

Our Burgundy bike tour route traces the saga of wine itself, from its introduction by Celts and Romans to the refinement of winemaking at local monasteries. The real Burgundy oenophiles can identify more than 1,000 vineyards by the taste of their wines. You'll take a step into that world as the wine and food on your Burgundy bike tour samples the fruits of history; enjoy tastings in Pommard, Vosne-Romanée, Aloxe-Corton, and other famous villages. Each night, we delight in luxury chateaux and dine in the region’s finest restaurants. This is the Grand Cru of all European bike tours.
What's included on your Burgundy bike tour: 6 days
~ Deluxe accommodations in luxurious properties with the best amenities
~ Aluminum bicycle, handlebar bag, water bottle, lock, patch kit with spare tube, lightweight helmet and optional toe straps
~ Breakfasts, lunches, Apres Velo cocktails and gourmet dinners including wine - I'll buy the first round of Romanee Conti.
~ Blingual guides who will look after our every need
~ A route review with our guide each morning

~ Highlighted regional maps
~ Support vehicle that sweeps the day's route distributing refreshments and offering lifts
~ Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks and all other exclusive events
~ Transportation from rendezvous to final drop-off
~ Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
~ Baggage transport



















Thursday, January 13, 2011

Your Valid Passport, MAY NOT BE VALID....BEWARE

VERY IMPORTANT;
Because of the state of the world today, when traveling, many, many countries now require that your valid passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you return to the US. If not, you need to re-apply right away.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Winter In France - Means Only One Thing - The World Is Your Oyster

As Cole Porter once wrote:
“I love Paris in the springtime.

I love Paris in the fall.

I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,

I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.........................”
Ah, but for me, Paris in the winter, means oysters, crisp and appetizing......., I eat them all year round, but in the winter, the cold months, they are at their best. My first stop in and out of Paris during this season is always heading toward my favorite brassiere and having my quest for the briny oyster fulfilled.
In France the accompaniment for oysters on the half shell is a simple combination of diced shallots and red wine vinegar called Mignonette. But I stay away from this, to me adding anything to an oyster is simple pollution. Each flavor to me is a hymn to its own watery terrior, but yes, a coup Champagne is a nice addition to go along with the oyster.
Eating oysters....as a wise sage ..............it’s like kissing the sea on the lips.







England - VAT Rises to 20% for 2011..................Bah Humbug!

( last minute shoppers on Oxford St before the 20% VAT goes into effect)
My trip to London in October was brightened because in 2010 was the first time in a long time that I was able to purchase once again all my clothes  ( I prefer London cuts of men's clothing) in an affordable manner.
BUT....in 20111, the Govt. is rasing the VAT tax to 20% from 17.5% and once again, it making shopping, hotels etc ( food is exempt) impossible for the visitor.
Bah HUMBUG!