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Snow-shoe walking, Preparations and Progress

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What a wonderful way to put January behind me. I spent the weekend in Gréolières with a lovely group of people snowshoe walking , hiking, practicing yoga and meditation, with a quick peak at the fabulous snow moon through a telescope. https://consciousyogi.net Snowshoe walking was a new experience for me. It was a challenge but the raquettes de neige gave me the confidence to walk in the snow without sinking or sliding. It was tough, especially getting to the mountain top but with rest of the French alps behind us, the view that we were rewarded with of the sea, Cannes and Nice   made every step worthwhile.   To me, unused to snow and mountains, it was like walking in a film set. A moment's meditation on the mountain felt very special. The yoga when we returned to our accommodation was almost a step too far, my muscles not wanting to obey but the stretching and movement left me relaxed and ready for an excellent, well earned meal.  https://www.la-maison-du-loup.com ...
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Christmas Greetings From Menton

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Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy, Peaceful 2026 I'm looking forward to spending time with family and friends over Christmas and into the  New Year  and then I have plans for a  snow shoe hike  and  yoga weekend  near  Gréolières  in January and then, in June, a short 112km walk along the  Camino del Norte  from  Santander  to  Llanes . I will write a proper update in the New Year when I will have more time to write, when you will have more time to read and when I hope to have a publication date for my next book.  Here's some pictures of the last few days in Menton:- Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année   My books are all available from  Amazon  or can be ordered through your  favourite bookshop The Barwell Trilogy If you have enjoyed reading this and would like to be sent a link when the next episode is published, please contact me on  info@jacquelinejames.co.uk  and I wi...
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Preparing for Christmas

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Decorations are going up all over  Menton , the animals are out, I'm sure  Father Christmas  won't be far behind.  The lights aren't lit in the town yet but  the casino is ready for hoards of hopeful gamblers ready to win a fortune. In the centre of town, I love the way the washing hanging from the shutter is as festive as the Christmas tree . You can tell  Christmas  is approaching, I'm thinking about making  mince pies . There won't be many this year as I didn't bring any  mincemeat  from  England  (or make any six months ago) and the cost of mincemeat in France is a bit steep! I have secured two jars but it looks like that will be my lot (I don't think I'll be ordering from  Amazon.fr  ) Look what I did buy this week. Am I back in the 1950’s   or is this a more economical (possibly environmentally friendly) way to keep warm? It’s certainly cheaper than updating the heating in the apartment for the three mont...
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A Trip to Tangier

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  Tangier, positioned at the gateway to the Mediterranean  has been fought over and controlled by many different counties over the centuries. It's a city of trade with a reputation for intrigue.  Sightseeing :- As all visitors should, we wandered through the medina  many times but only visited the central food market  once (you need a strong stomach for the sights in the meat market and the smells in the fish market );  we climbed to the Kasbah palace ( Dar el Makhzen ) and almost bought a carpet on the way down; visited the American legation , originally residence of the American ambassador it now houses a fascinating museum (including a collection of miniature soldiers, forever at war with each other) and a cultural centre; we called in at the    Cafe de Paris —there was no alcohol, no lunch and not  a double agent in sight! We ate at Villa  Mabrouka—a house that had  belonged  to  Yves Saint Laurent , and more recent...
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