FPN Editor's Blog

France Show success

Well, I've been back from India less than a week and I've already immersed myself in France - at the France Show at Earl's Court in London. Okay, so it wasn't technically France, but with gendarmes on the doors and a fabulous French market as soon as you stepped inside, it certainly gave me a much-desired fix of France. I left with beautiful pear tarts and meringues (which started off as works of art but ended up a little worse for wear by the time I got them home...) and a selection of variously stinky cheeses! The odour won't confine itself to the fridge, so I hope I don't get any visitors this week... Although I was 'working' (the show being an Archant Life production), browsing the stalls offering everything from French language courses to French furniture, watching the amazing high kicks of the dance troupe, having a go at petanque, and sampling fine wines and champagnes, seemed a long way from the office! The show was busy almost all weekend, but never felt too cramped or hectic - probably because there were so many areas to rest your feet, for example, sampling some of the fabulous French menus on offer from top London French restaurants Cafe des Amis or Mon Plaisir while being entertained by some typically French music. I also gained some inspiration from chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, demonstrating his culinary excellence in the Food Theatre. Sadly, I didn't find time to get in to the Travel Theatres to listen to the various talks on offer, but they were packed with visitors keen to hear all from francophiles such as Carol Drinkwater or Philip Faiers. It all just flew past - we look forward to the show all year and then it's over in the blink of an eye! If you came along, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did - let us know what you thought of it - and if you didn't, make sure you put next year's show in your diary. I'll be sure to see you there.