Talloires under the snow'The review is in Swedish and I've made a quick attempt to find a translation without success.''Send me the link,' my husband texted, from five-thousand kilometres away.'I'd say the listener thinks that you have a nice smile and good arm muscles,' he quipped.'Ha. I'll take that,' I wrote back, chuckling to myself.It had been a couple of weeks since the audiobook version of ..read more

 Yes. Italy.There, I said it. You are my witnesses. Many of you know our story: that of a young Australian family with three school-aged children who went to France for a year, stayed for much longer than that, and brought France forever more into their hearts. There, we learned to live with passion and joy - savouring moments differently; appreciating tastes and sounds more intensely; developing ..read more

Stormy days. Stormy nights  ‘I need help,’ the text message read. We had chatted on the phone not long before and my daughter’s weary voice had clearly conveyed the pain that she was in and the effort that walking the few steps in the heat uphill to her room in Corfu would require. Signing off, she had promised that she would remain where she was until she felt that she had the necessary ..read more

We bought our French village house (Le Cormoran) the year after we returned to Australia from our family’s first French adventure - about which I wrote in ‘But you are in France, Madame.’ It was a heart decision, of that there is no doubt, based on the belief that our French journey was meant to continue. At the time, my passion was such that I brushed aside the implications of inheritance rules ..read more

 Nancy, it has been lovely connecting with you. Thanks for participating in my occasional series, ‘Australians in France.'Can you tell us about yourself and your French connection? I spent most of my life until now living in Australia but took a big mid-life leap last year to come and live permanently in France. In my own defence, there was some logic to the decision. For the previous few years ..read more

July 14. Today is a special day. France's national day? Yes. Publication day for my latest book? Also yes. I had actually intended to have book three in my series celebrating my French-Australian life out to you a couple of weeks ago, but ... life ... including a little run in with the police and a very expensive breakdown. The flashing lights and siren were clearly meant for my husband, Alex, as ..read more

“I have just published my third book.” It wasn’t bragging nor was it an attempt to impress. I was still in the emotional aftermath of putting my figurative pen down and in awe that my words had come for a third time. “Interestingly, all my books have come about because of sadness and struggle,” I continued. Woah, again. How had I not realised that before? “I hope you never write another book,” he ..read more

Kate's home in Lucenay-l’Évêque in BurgundyKate, it has been lovely connecting with you. Thank you for participating in my occasional series, ‘Australians in France.' Can you tell us about yourself and your French connection? I really discovered France later in life. My first trip to Europe was at 41, with Paris being our first stop. It was definitely love at first sight. Since then, my husband ..read more

“Well, I hope you never write another book.”“Thank you.” Distancing myself momentarily from our conversation, I twisted, tweaked and reassessed the words, touched by his compassion.  We had had no contact since our university days but, thanks to the vagaries of random social-media connections, we were talking again. And, how exciting it was to feel the power and anticipation of our ..read more

Carcoar. En route to Adelaide. Note free town library"I've finished a bit early. Are you free to pick me up?""Will come as soon as I can. Just helping to prepare my invoice. I didn't anticipate being here for two hours, but I got what I came for and a bit more," my husband replied."No rush. See you when you get here."I tucked the phone in my handbag and, half closing my eyes, lifted my chin ..read more