tag:,2010:/1 2010-07-29T13:20:03Z my life in a rural french village [by mimi pompom a former fashion editor from west london] Movable Type 3.34 tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.321 2010-07-29T13:14:37Z 2010-07-29T13:20:03Z

So the books have arrived (thank goodness), sixty lemons have been juiced for the cocktails and Dawn at La Grande Galerie is rustling up the canapes as I write. All is set for the launch of Toute Allure this evening,...

Karen La Grande Galerie, 7 Rue Temple, 86400, Civray; www.grandegaleriefrance.com]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.319 2010-07-13T12:25:01Z 2010-07-14T11:45:53Z

Biff's sister Milou has been staying with us for the past week. Understandably, David looked nervous as he and Frances handed her over to me in the cafe at La Grande Galerie last Tuesday. 'The thing is, the last time...

Karen Biff's sister Milou has been staying with us for the past week. Understandably, David looked nervous as he and Frances handed her over to me in the cafe at La Grande Galerie last Tuesday. 'The thing is, the last time we gave you a dog to look after, you didn't give it back,' he said, referring to Biff. 'Oh don't worry,' I reassured him. 'One dog is definitely enough.' But Biff - who has been bouncing around with an extra spring in his paws and looking extra-pleased with himself all week - clearly loves the company of other dogs. He absolutely adores Milou and has been showing off non-stop, even pulling her around by her lead, as if he is taking her for a walk. 'He's going to be sad when that white dog leaves,' predicted my neighbour Arnaud. And sure enough, when David came to collect Milou yesterday, Biff sat in front of the door and tried to block their exit. And so, not for the first time, I'm wondering, should I contact the Phoenix Rescue and get him a little furry pal? ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.318 2010-07-12T10:12:18Z 2010-07-12T12:55:49Z

The story of Biff and a sneak preview of Toute Allure can be found in the Daily Mail today. But oh dear, from the comments section, I seem to have drawn a lot of flack from DM readers, first of...

Karen The story of Biff and a sneak preview of Toute Allure can be found in the Daily Mail today. But oh dear, from the comments section, I seem to have drawn a lot of flack from DM readers, first of all for describing Biff as a 'mixed race' (race croisée) dog - which is what it says on his passport - rather than a 'mongrel' or a 'cross-breed.' I can't see why it matters myself - not everyone knows correct canine terminology - but voila. Oh and just for the record, I have absolutely nothing against greyhounds. Whatsoever. On the contrary, I think they are very adorable, placid looking creatures. I love all kinds of dogs, even my brother's pit bull rescue dog Juggy - now sadly deceased - and not just cute, cuddly ones. The reason I didn't take Alan, the depressed greyhound from Battersea Dogs Home had nothing to do with his looks; I was more worried that he wouldn't fit into my flat.]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.317 2010-07-11T22:27:47Z 2010-07-12T10:51:50Z

The best team won tonight and justice has been done. The only one thing more shocking than the Dutch team's tactics was the Kevin Keegan perm sported by one of the Spanish players. But I'm sure he'll be forgiven, as...

Karen The best team won tonight and justice has been done. The only one thing more shocking than the Dutch team's tactics was the Kevin Keegan perm sported by one of the Spanish players. But I'm sure he'll be forgiven, as in every other respect Spain was a class act. I was actually quite surprised that so many of the Spanish side were still standing at the end of the game after being kicked, tripped and subjected to physical violence by their opponents for over an hour. Fifa should introduce a new rule in which any team that racks up more than five yellows gets a collective red card and has a player sent off the pitch. tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.315 2010-07-08T22:13:37Z 2010-07-09T10:34:21Z

Several times a week and sometimes twice a day, I receive a phone call that goes something like this: 'Madame Willer?' says a hopeful sounding voice on the end of the line. 'Oui,' I say, warily, 'Qui m'appelle?' 'Ah you...

Karen Oui,' I say, warily, 'Qui m'appelle?' 'Ah you speak English?' says the cheery voice. 'Qui m'appelle?'I repeat, trying to sound as stern as possible. And so it goes - the caller will never reveal the company they are calling from - before I say that it's not a good moment/I'm very busy etc and hang up. Despite being on la liste rouge, the French equivalent of being-ex directory, these calls continue to arrive with irritating frequency. Sometimes the cold-caller has the cheek to try and make you wait for the privilege of speaking to them, with a recorded message. Still, the mispronunciations of my name do occasionally raise a smile. Most often I am addressed as Mme Wheel-air or Willer. But my favourite so far, was the caller who interrupted lunch today with a cheerful 'Mrs Wheelie?' ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.314 2010-07-03T10:18:31Z 2010-07-05T12:19:26Z

'Surely some mistake', I thought, when I spotted the sleek double-decker train parked on the platform at Lille and apparently going to Poitiers, on my way back from a trip to London last week. Until now, I have only...

Karen 'Surely some mistake', I thought, when I spotted the sleek double-decker train parked on the platform at Lille and apparently going to Poitiers, on my way back from a trip to London last week. Until now, I have only seen these double-deckers in use on the suburban lines that serve Paris. It turned out that it was a new, state-of-the-art TGV. Inside it was more like a boite de nuit (night club) than a train, with soft, low level lighting, plush purple and navy seating and full length mirrors (none of which, unfortunately, you can see from this picture). In the corridors there were even little velvet banquettes in alcoves, where people could use their mobile phones. It definitely had the wow factor. Everything looked shiny, slick and super-clean. (In other words, so not the Shabsted Express.) From the vantage point of the upper deck, I had a fantastic view of green fields and golden countryside whizzing by. You have to hand it to the French: they really know how to do trains. ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.313 2010-06-24T10:55:20Z 2010-07-07T14:49:24Z

To the Grande Galerie in Civray yesterday to organise the canapes and cocktails for the launch of Toute Allure. The date has been fixed for Thursday July 29th, 6.30pm - 8.00pm (droigts croisés that my early author copies will have...

Karen To the Grande Galerie in Civray yesterday to organise the canapes and cocktails for the launch of Toute Allure. The date has been fixed for Thursday July 29th, 6.30pm - 8.00pm (droigts croisés that my early author copies will have arrived.) So if you find yourself in the Poitoiu-Charentes on that evening, and would like to pick up an early copy of Toute Allure, I would be delighted to see you. Soupe de champagne will be served and several of the characters from the new book will be there. For more information, visit http://www.grandegaleriefrance.com La Grande Galerie, 7 Rue de Temple, 86400, Civray, France. Tel: +33 5 49 87 73 02 ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.312 2010-06-22T10:51:51Z 2010-07-04T22:30:55Z

It's three weeks since I gave up alcohol and coffee and surprisingly, it is the caffeine that's proving the hardest to live without. After walking the dog this morning, I set out a bowl for his Burns pork and potato...

Karen It's three weeks since I gave up alcohol and coffee and surprisingly, it is the caffeine that's proving the hardest to live without. After walking the dog this morning, I set out a bowl for his Burns pork and potato dog food, and another for my breakfast of chopped apple, yoghurt and pecan nuts. I also picked up his dinner bowl to wash it. I then went to my desk to eat my breakfast while surfing the daily news websites. Half way through, I looked down and to my horror, realised that I was eating from a dish decorated with paw prints and emblazoned with the words 'Feed Me' - basically, Biff's (unwashed) dinner bowl. Downstairs in the kitchen, he had eaten his breakfast from a Limoges porcelain dish. Ahaghhhhg! It seems to me that some of us really do need that jolt of caffeine to wake up in the morning. ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.311 2010-06-14T20:06:06Z 2010-06-14T20:39:13Z

Never did I imagine that I would be donning a thick coat, scarf and boots to walk the dog in June. The weather in my patch of the Poitou is a washout at the moment but I've managed to think...

Karen Never did I imagine that I would be donning a thick coat, scarf and boots to walk the dog in June. The weather in my patch of the Poitou is a washout at the moment but I've managed to think of a few good things about the French summer (ha!) 1 The scent of lime blossom trees. 2 Cherry trees laden with fruit. 3 Even better, Travis arriving with a carrier bag full of black cherries from his garden. 4 The scent of honeysuckle. 5 The sight of a duck surrounded by about ten ducklings, lying peacefully under a tree at The Mad Hatter's on Sunday. (Thank god I left Biff at home.) 6 Poppies - late this year because of the cold weather - adding sporadic hits of colour to the countryside. 7 Little white butterflies with orange-tipped wings, flitting along the grass track where I walk Biff in the morning. 8 The sight of an old stone wall almost covered with deep red and pale lemon climbing roses. ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.310 2010-06-12T16:08:54Z 2010-06-14T20:37:02Z

I phone Travis to ask if we can come over to watch the England match tonight on his huge flat-screen TV (my TV isn't much bigger than a postage stamp.) 'Do you want me to get in a crate of...

Karen chez Travis. Result!]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.309 2010-06-10T12:02:37Z 2010-06-10T12:04:57Z

Catching up with reader emails this morning and for those who've been kind enough to ask about a third book (aghahhaghg!), yes there is going to be one. It's provisionally entitled 'Sweet Encore' but I haven't started writing it yet....

Karen Catching up with reader emails this morning and for those who've been kind enough to ask about a third book (aghahhaghg!), yes there is going to be one. It's provisionally entitled 'Sweet Encore' but I haven't started writing it yet. tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.308 2010-06-09T12:42:19Z 2010-06-09T12:42:46Z

Unexpected advantage of eating mostly raw food: waaay less washing-up to do....

Karen Unexpected advantage of eating mostly raw food: waaay less washing-up to do. tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.307 2010-06-08T11:03:03Z 2010-06-11T11:43:28Z

On Sunday morning I was dispatched back into the real world armed with a bag of nuts and full of good intent. I know that many people think I'm quite mad - I'm not arguing - but after a six-day...

Karen On Sunday morning I was dispatched back into the real world armed with a bag of nuts and full of good intent. I know that many people think I'm quite mad - I'm not arguing - but after a six-day juice fast, twelve hours of yoga and eighteen hours of hiking, I'm three kilos lighter, fizzing with energy and feeling as pure as a bottle of spring water. The first test came on the BA flight back to London, where I fought the urge for a gin and tonic or a glass of wine and asked for a tomato juice instead. The second was on Sunday afternoon when I went to Wholefoods (or Whole Drunk as it's known to one of my friends) in search of coconut oil - apparently it's the only fat that isn't carcinogenic when heated - and had to pass through the bakery, laden with all sorts of sugary temptations. I looked at them with new eyes, reminding myself that they would only cause the blood sugar to soar with all the hideous calorie-quaffing consequences. Nor did I succumb to the seductive scent of coffee in Pret-a-Manger, where I stopped to buy some water. Caffeine, I sternly reminded myself, also causes the blood sugar to soar. But then I saw them, sitting on the counter: a box of Pret Bakewells. (Typical: usually when I'm looking for them, Pret don't have them; when I'm not looking for them, there they are, winking at me and practically whispering my name.) Unfortunately, I succumbed. But that's the only lapse so far. Admittedly, it's only 24 hours since my release from the monastery, but now I'm back in France and planning to keep off the alcohol and caffeine for a while. It's going to be tough - tomorrow I'm going out to dinner in a restaurant with friends - but as far as those three kilos are concerned, from now on I'm going to be as rigorous as Ryanair when it comes to excess baggage. tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.306 2010-06-01T19:39:58Z 2010-06-04T10:00:27Z

Hola from a monastery in Spain, where I am currently subsisting on green juice and a handful of nuts a day, as part of a detox/boot camp retreat. Oh and a dried apricot - the culinary highlight of the day....

Karen Hola from a monastery in Spain, where I am currently subsisting on green juice and a handful of nuts a day, as part of a detox/boot camp retreat. Oh and a dried apricot - the culinary highlight of the day. Travis can't believe I'm actually paying to do this. 'Can't you just stay at home and not eat?' he said when I told him where I was going. He's got a point. But I would never find the motivation to do several hours of yoga, four hours of uphill hiking and drink two pints of cucumber and celery juice (plus a shot of wheatgrass juice) a day at home. Not with the boulangerie calling to me from just a hundred paces away. Now that the headache and nausea have subsided, I'm almost beginning to enjoy it here. Someone has just handed me a 'cocktail' consistig of fizzy water with a slice of lemon and ginger (never did I imagine I would get so excited about a glass of water.) My only worry is that by the time I leave here I will have turned into a teetotal, carbohydrate-phobic health freak. ]]> tag:www.toutsweet.net,2010://1.305 2010-05-11T19:39:37Z 2010-05-12T14:46:53Z

One Friday evening thirteen years ago, I danced in the streets of Soho with my friends, such was the sense of elation when Labour won power. (My flatmate at the time worked for, and closely with, Sarah Brown, then Macaulay,...

Karen the place to drink at the time.) As I watched Mr Brown resigning this evening, I felt the same sense of elation. For a man who talks so much about 'doing the right thing' and 'making the right decisions' his judgment has been spectacularly off kilter in the past few days. His threat yesterday to hang on until September by desperately trying to forming a coalition with the Lib-Dems was an unedifying and depressing spectacle. Even former Labour ministers such as John Reid could see it was morally wrong. But finally, democracy has triumphed - for a moment yesterday, it looked like it wouldn't - and Mr Cameron will be allowed to form a government. Meanwhile, I have one question: how on earth did two unelected individuals such as Peter Mandelson and Alistair Campbell come to wield such influence on the future of the country? Mandelson, by his own admission, led the negotiations with the Lib Dems. But on what authority? No-one voted for him, ergo he had no right to try to manipulate the outcome of the election in such a cynical way. As for Mr Cameron, he has been handed a poisoned chalice, or as one political commentator puts it 'the toughest hand that any prime minister has been dealt in decades.' I wish him and Mr Clegg bon courage in dealing with it. ]]>