"Frenglish Thoughts" - by Barry Whittingham

UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand flag...
UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand flags. Animated for 2 seconds. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
http://www.rssmix.com/u/3839085/rss.xml


It’s estimated that roughly 500,000 Brits, 160,000 Americans as well as others from Anglophone countries such as Australia, New Zealand or Canada, have made the radical decision to leave family, friends and an established way of life to re-locate to France. In addition, a good number of Brits, while still residing, working or enjoying their retirement at home, find living in France enough of an attraction for them to invest in a holiday home there. 

What, then, prompts people to quit their home country for one where the culture, customs and mentality are different enough to challenge their open-mindedness and powers of adaptation to an extent they’ve probably never known before, and whose language they barely speak or, in some cases, don’t speak at all?

I think that one of most commonly-shared reasons for wanting to operate such a deep and far-reaching change is the excitement and adventure involved in making a fresh start to life.

Forgotten Sarlat (Sarlat-la-Canéda)

https://youtu.be/yAj6VQ7KJws?list=PLBB8B404C4185C24E

A miracle of preservation, Sarlat France is one of the best example of medieval France. This village is a living town and not just a historical curiosity. A great place to take pictures, shop, and visit a local restaurant. Video courtesy Dennis Callan on YouTube.

History (Via Wikipedia)

"Sarlat is a medieval town that developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. The medieval Sarlat Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos.
Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the towns most representative of 14th century France. It owes its current status on France's Tentative List for future nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site to the enthusiasm of writer, resistance fighter and politician André Malraux, who, as Minister of Culture (1960–1969), restored the town and many other sites of historic significance throughout France. The centre of
the old town consists of impeccably restored stone buildings and is largely car-free."

Remembering My Childhood Home of Yorkshire



This is a photo library of the region of England where I grew up as a child and young man. Visit my new website "Call of France" for interesting information about where I now am living in France as an expat.

Yorkshire Today (Via Wikipedia)

In the 1970s there were major reforms of local government throughout the United Kingdom. Some of the changes were unpopular, and controversially Yorkshire and its ridings lost status in 1974 as part of the Local Government Act 1972. The East Riding was resurrected with reduced boundaries in 1996 with the abolition of Humberside. With slightly different borders, the government office entity which currently contains most of Yorkshire is the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. This region includes a northern slice of Lincolnshire, but does not include the northern part of the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland), which is in the North East England region. Other parts of the historic county of Yorkshire are also in other official regions. Saddleworth (now in Greater Manchester); the Forest of Bowland (Lancashire); Sedbergh and Dent (Cumbria) are in the North West England region, and Upper Teesdale (County Durham) is in North East England.


French Guy Makes King Cake



French King Cake as made by French Guy Chef. This is a video recipe on how to make a "French King Cake", galette des rois ou gateau des rois. This is puff pastry and almond cream that makes a delicious and crispy cake, so easy to make! Celebrate Epiphany with a King Cake!

Cake of Kings - Gâteau des Rois Wikipedia
The cake of kings or crown of the Kings (in Catalan, Tortell de Reis, Spanish, roscon Reyes, in Occitan, Reiaume corona dels Reis) is a kind of shaped cake ring, scented with the essence of orange flower and sugar coated as well as candied fruits. It is traditionally eaten in Provence and the rest of southern France, during the Epiphany (January 6).

The Best French Christmas Songs



 6 Popular French Christmas Songs...Enjoy!

Lisette Jambel - Jingle Bells (with Lyrics)
Line Renaud - Star Snow (with Lyrics)
Charles Trenet - Christmas Song (with Lyrics)
Tino Rossi - Il est né le Divin Enfant (with Lyrics)
Jacqueline François - Noël Blanc (with Lyrics)
Henri Salvador - C'est Noël mamie (with Lyrics)

Temps de Noel



Most likely anyone having seen the movie...knows the story of the American family visiting France for Christmas, and leaving their youngest son behind.

Form the Video Description: Back in 1990, I remember seeing the movie Home Alone. The McAlister Family was going to Paris for Christmas. And i thought..who would go to Paris for Christmas? There are too many other places that would be far better places to spend Christmas
than Paris, i.e. New York, The Alps, The Canadian Rockies, Banff, ...even their home town of Chicago with Michigan Avenue et al, I thought would be better for Christmas. Well, Oh Contraire Mon Frare, I have been to Paris at Christmas time... not once but many times since 1990. And now I know why. Paris is beautiful at Christmas time!