FPN Deputy Editor's Blog

The prodigal pounds

Well my intrepid, prodigal pounds have returned from their little trip to India but, thanks to the world’s economy, they are worth considerably less now than they were when they were stolen two weeks ago.

I’m currently hoping that the other pounds out there will turn out to be as reliable as my three and bounce back to their former glory in the near future.

Meanwhile, if Mohammed can’t come to the mountain as the saying goes… In lieu of actually being in France, I’ve been busy recreating France in my own corner of London. First stop, a trip to see the magnificent ‘I’ve loved you so long’ or ‘Il y a longtemps que je t’aime’ at the cinema. A wonderful film starring Kristen Scott Thomas – now there’s a Brit who has taken integration seriously, her French was impeccable, if accented and her performance as a mother, paroled after serving 15 years in jail for her son’s murder, impressive.

It’s not just Scott Thomas and her co-stars who shine in the film; Nancy, where the drama unfolds, looks magnificent. If you are considering a pick-me-up trip, Lorraine would be the perfect place for a pre-Christmas jaunt. There’s the Christmas markets with their dazzling light displays to visit, not to mention that French classic, quiche lorraine, with its crumbling buttery crust and goey, delicious filling of eggs, cheese and bacon – perfect as a winter warmer. Buy the December issue now for more information on Christmas markets throughout France.

But if, like me, you’re grounded for the time being, you should plan a trip to our own fair capital come January for the ultimate in surrogate France – The France Show. You’ve got just over a week to register for free tickets at www.thefranceshow.com – the offer ends on 31^st November – and if that’s not a credit crunch-beating proposition, I don’t know what is. Bon voyage.