August 19, 2011
For people who keep asking me what ‘Jelly’ is – it’s simply co-working – getting together with others, to work alongside someone else for a change. Jelly started in the US (doesn’t everything?!) when 2 chaps met in a coffee shop and started chatting. They both worked from home and enjoyed the freedom that brings, but didn’t enjoy the isolation… Read more…
August 3, 2011
Our Normandy Jelly Logo I’ve imported Jelly! Odd name for a coworking group isn’t it? Jelly is all about getting out of your normal workspace (in my case, that’s a corner off the sitting room where I have my desks, and associated office clutter), and getting out to work with others. Although I love working in peace and quiet,… Read more…
May 23, 2011
There are 2 important events taking place in Normandy on Thursday 26 May. One is the G8 summit in Deauville, and the other is Normandy Jelly! Do you work on your own? Do you miss the camaraderie and banter of working with others? Then you need Jelly! http://normandyjelly.eventbrite.com/ What is Jelly? Well, it’s free and is a way of meeting other… Read more…
May 11, 2011
I’ve just come back from working at the annual French Property Show in Harrogate 6 – 8 May 2011. I always enjoy the show, although it is way smaller than it used to be in years gone by, when the immobiliers had queues at their stands! Despite that, immobiliers all reported a steady flow of serious property hunters, so I do… Read more…
May 1, 2011
Today is the day when France smells of lily of the valley. The Fete des Muguets is supposed to have started in 1561 when the King, Roi Charles IX received a bunch of this fragrant flower as a symbol of good luck for the coming year. He liked it so much he gave sprigs to his favourite women at court every year. … Read more…
May 1, 2011
Cheesy it may be, but himself and I hosted a Street Party in our garden on Friday, so we could all watch the Royal Wedding together, ooh and aah over Kate’s dress and raise a glass in recognition of the girl who got her Prince. Taking the best of both countries, we had roast rib of beef - from… Read more…
April 22, 2011
The Miraculous Spring I’d often heard from French friends and colleagues about a ‘source’ in this area that was reputed to have healing qualities for those who have any sort of skin condition. This spring was in a field in the Pré d’Auge, a pretty and sought after village in the Pays d’Auge region where I live. I had never… Read more…
April 7, 2011
Every now and again, something unexpected takes my interest… yesterday, it was a story of a brave young man who died almost 67 years ago…. For some reason, my SatNav (who is renowned for having her own wicked personality.. but that is for another blog entry!) took me a different way home yesterday, down tiny country roads. I… Read more…
March 31, 2011
I’m passionate about business and entrepreneurial spirit. I love how people come to live in France, and in the need to put bread on the table, manage to carve out a niche and set up as self-employed. This is despite the horrendous cotisations and bureaucracy we encounter. France may have invented the word entrepreneur, but bureaucracy is also a French word… Read more…
March 19, 2011
8 March was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, which was marked around the world – Normandy was no exception and several ladies from the Normandy Business Group got together on the day. Sheelagh Gorham hosted a lunch in a friendly little restaurant in Villedieu-les-Poeles (which translates as ‘God’s Town of the Frying Pans!), where we discussed all sorts… Read more…
