Author: victoriakoning
-
Arriving with a Paintbrush – Our Mirabeau Journey
On deciding to move to Cotignac after our 4-month sabbatical, Susana of Provence Living introduced us to Stephen and Jeany Cronk, who needed help with opening their boutique
-
La Tuf Craft Beer
Living as guardians for Villa Caren, the manager’s house on the Lou Calen hotel renovation building site, it was a huge delight to watch stonemason / brewmaster Renaud & his team build the ‘La Tuf’ brewpub
-
JAKTSLOTTET BJØRKÅSEN IN GÅLÅ, NORWAY
Our first visit to Norway and THE FIRST time with skis on. Ever.
-
Sundowners aboard Elena of London
During the sailing regatta, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, we were invited onboard the magnificent superyacht after the race. Her incredible size hits you as you’re ready to embark; being relieved of your shoes.
-
Sailing regatta Les Voiles de Saint Tropez
Les Voiles de Saint Tropez is a fab sailing regatta held from the last weekend of September, where about 300 yachts gather in the Golf of St Tropez for a week of competitive sailing and celebrations.
-
Le Rocher troglodyte promenade in Cotignac
Visiting the cliffs and formerly inhabited troglodyte dwelling in Cotignac is a must-do activity in this Provençal village
-
Private tour at Château Léoube
Vic joined two WSET-qualified wine boffs Nuria Styliano and Shelley Coleman for an interview and private tour with Jerome Pernot at Château Léoube
-
Cotignac Village of Rock 2016
For the 8th year in a row, Big Five and the Red One rocked Cotignac. Great music, dancing and German food and beer. Merci beaucoup.
-
Hosting at Taste of London with Mirabeau
Marcel and Vic joined Stephen in London to present the delicious Mirabeau pale pink during the annual restaurant festival held at Regent’s Park
-
Beach Camping “de la Plage” overlooking St Tropez
Camping with soft beach sand between your toes overlooking the Bay of St Tropez also sound like heaven to you? A great spot for our Land Rover #Dakota110
-
Scenic Wicklow Mountains in Ireland
The best thing to do in the Irish countryside is to get out there, whether you’re on foot or even braver, by bicycle. Sean and Patricia suggested a gentle ramble up Brown Mountain.
-
Ballyteige Lodge in Wicklow Mountains
The rustic peace and tranquility is enhanced by how welcoming and comfortable the manor is, Ballyteige Lodge is a fabulous country retreat.
-
Glendalough Nature Reserve in the Wicklow Mountains
Incredible history and beautiful tranquility in nature – a lovely walk in the Irish countryside.
-
Absorbing the buzz in Temple Bar, Dublin
When you have a couple of hours to kill in Dublin, Temple Bar has to be on your list of things to do … music, good beers and a great vibe
-
Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
Learning to pull a pint and to see how the Guinness story is told in their flagship storehouse in Dublin
-
A Spanish family holiday
A gentle roadtrip in the Landy from Provence to Calpe, near Alicante, to join our family in a self-catering rental home for a relaxed holiday in Spain
-
Classic Grand Prix test session in Monaco
What an experience – the noise of the grand prix cars, the sunshine, the yachts, the Monaco backdrop and my honey to enjoy it with. Fabulous!
-
Provence sabbatical day 68 – joyeux grand annivesaire Mamam
Pen’s bedroom is a lovely place to convalesce. One window looks onto the garden with a lovely big Frangipani tree whose blossoms are long dried, but I swear I can still smell their perfumed scent.
-
Provence sabbatical day 30 – happy 70th birthday, Pap
Aups dates back to 6 BC. It lies on the foothills of the Alps (where the name comes from) at 505 metres above sea level. It’s 60 kms from the sea and 80 kms from ski slopes
-
Provence sabbatical day 29 – enjoying village life
Getting to understand village life! Winter in Provence: no tourists, just locals, friendly French interactions, grabbing bits of sunshine
-
Provence sabbatical day 28 – sea spray in St. Tropez
A nice lie-in after a fab Christmas dinner with Patricia. Around lunchtime, we took the leisurely route to St. Tropez, enjoying the sunshine
-
Provence sabbatical day 27 – Christmas Day 2013
Wow. You wait 365 days a year for it, and then suddenly it’s here. Christmas Day. And here we are in the South of France, with our great buddies, celebrating Yuletide.
-
Provence sabbatical day 26 – the day before Christmas
What a lovely way to enjoy Christmas? Cozy and warm with candles and a lovely fire, amazing smells emanating from the kitchen and a relaxed vibe. Life is Good!!
-
Provence sabbatical day 25 – Christmas madness and fabulous friends
It was after 5pm when Rob, Diana and Naomi trundled into town. Bienvenue chers amis!
-
Provence sabbatical day 24 – Christmas cat in a hat
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ~ Dr. Seuss, author of Cat in the Hat
-
Provence sabbatical day 23 – Cotignac tourist office
It’s been raining solid for 2 days. I’m not complaining. We’ve had amazing sunny weather, and the land needs rain. But when it stopped today, Patricia and I hopped and skipped our way down to the village. I wanted to pop into the tourism office to find out things to do for when Rob, Diana…
-
Provence sabbatical day 22 – Breaking Bad and mince pies
Watching Breaking Bad late into the night and meeting a 90-year-young legend, Patricia’s Mum.
-
Provence sabbatical day 21 – baubles and lamb curry
The final DIY touches, decorating for Christmas and a slow-cooked “best dish I’ve made” lamb curry
-
Provence sabbatical day 20 – fire nooks and e-cards
If this post is a blurred mess, please forgive me. I think we got about half an hour’s sleep last night. Don’t ask me why. Just couldn’t sleep. Eventually I gave up trying and came downstairs to a bewilderd Mado … “What? It’s breakfast time already?” He thought it was Christmas. Peeking through the windows,…
-
Provence sabbatical day 19 – caves and pain
Sounds weird doesn’t it? But it’s not got anything to do with painful cave exploring. It’s cellars along the wine route and stocking up on bread … don’t you love the French?
