The Blog is Back



I missed writing my blog, so I'm back.  I wilted a little in the heat of the summer and sharing Menton with the thousands of tourists—vital to the economy but wearing on the soul (my own and the soul of the town)—is exhausting. After a rainy October, November is giving bright warm sunny days and cool pleasant evenings.  I apologise that this is more photos than words (I promise I will omit my holiday snaps from the Costa Brava).  My mind is full of ideas for my new book, a sequel for Hidden.

In October I gave a talk in the St John's English Library in Menton to introduce Hidden. I was overwhelmed by the numbers who attended—we ran out of chairs and had to bring a pew from the church—and I continue to be touched by the positive comments from those who came, bought the book and have read it.
 






For reasons that belong in another story my books didn't arrive in time for the talk but that didn't mean I didn't sell any!

Life in France has settled into a very pleasant routine. I am still battling bureaucracy to renew my long stay visa but in a major breakthrough—eleven months after I first began the application—I received a social security number and my Carte Vitale. I have been accepted into the French healthcare system.  
Perhaps just as well as I bought a car (a very small one, parking is a nightmare and some of the roads round here are very narrow. It is rare to see a car without a dent or a scratch), I'm not planning on any accidents but at least I know I'll be treated if the worst happens. 

I am becoming a resident but I can still be a tourist when I feel like it and a day in Monaco included the open top bus tour! A little shopping and a visit to the Private Cars Collection of  HSH Prince of Monaco filled the rest of the day. 

 
Plus a coffee stop to admire the view from the Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin  (with rooms starting at £650 out of season, coffee was all we could afford).

https://www.maybourneriviera.com





The previous month I had joined a group from the International Women’s Club of the Riviera for a fascinating  guided tour round the palace.   I'm still exploring...




The vernissage for the new exhibition at the library attracted lots of interest last week. Fabulous photos by three very talented photographers


                      




Here's what I've just read:  A sympathetic biography of someone we all thought we knew. I'm re reading her books with different eyes.



 


And here's my own latest:-




Hidden is available on Kindle, in paperback and hardback. You can order copies from Amazon or any bookshop.  If you happen to be in the south of France, Niche Books, Valbonne and Read the Room, Nice have copies.
https://www.nichebooksvalbonne.com                                                https://www.facebook.com/people/Read-The-Room/61558466603439/?_rdr


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 will add you to the list.

Here is the link to my website:-


Comments

  1. Jeremy MillsNovember 10, 2024 at 4:15 PM

    Welcome back French Escape blog! I've been missing you. You're a ray of sunshine to brighten another grey English day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jacqueline JamesNovember 10, 2024 at 5:28 PM

    Thank you 😊

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 11, 2024 at 6:06 AM

    Good to see the blog is back. Lovely to hear your news

    ReplyDelete

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