England

Our Man from the Roannais says hello to The Beatles and Manchester United ! by Brian Franklin

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Our Man from the Roannais visits The Beatles in Liverpool, and Manchester United ! Surely, just the best finale for our England trip !! The final leg of our journey through in England covered the two great northern cities of Manchester and Liverpool. Another eye-opener for our friend Jean-Marc. We toured around Manchester and Liverpool [...]

Part 7: Our Man from the Roannais in the Lake District by Brian Franklin

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

In our latest part of ‘Our Man from the Roannais in England’ series we reach new heights of adventure and discovery in the marvellous Lake District. Jean-Marc is treated to a traditional ‘fish n’ chips’ supper, and continues to consume even greater quantities of traditional English ale with great enthusiasm ( Well, you need to [...]

Part 6: Our Man from the Roannais in David Hockney’s England! by Brian Franklin

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Well, we’re in David Hockney territory this time with a sensational trip to Salt’s Mill, Saltaire, near Bradford. And, not only that, but we travel even further to discover the many historical delights of York, and a visit to the Lancashire village of Ilkley. This, of course, also includes introducing ‘Our Man from the Roannais’ [...]

Part 5: Our Man from the Roannais at Chatsworth and The Yorkshire Sculpture Park by Brian Franklin

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Here we go again, I’m afraid, continuing our saga about our travels through England. This time combining country life with bourgeois, aristocratic history and contemporary sculptural art – all set in some of the most stunning countryside in England! Yes, I took our French man from his own beautiful Roannais region in the Rhone-Alpes to [...]

Part 4: Our Man from the Roannais in Shakespeare’s Country! by Brian Franklin

Friday, May 28th, 2010

This next stage of our journey through England we continue the theme of  ‘classic’ ‘old’ quintessential Englishness, and follow, partly at least, in the Elizabethan footsteps of our famous bard, and literary genious – William Shakespeare. ‘To be or not to be, that is the question’ and Jean-Marc and myself were certainly endeavouring ‘to be’ [...]

Part 3: Our Man from the Roannais in The Wye Valley! by Brian Franklin

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

From the academic and architectural wonders of Oxford travelling to an alternative natural wonder of the Royal Forest of Dean in the beautiful Wye Valley was almost a mental relief, if not a physical one. Jean-Marc and I had planned a 3-day sojourn in this fascinating corner of England, near to the Welsh border with [...]

Part 2: Our Man from the Roannais in Oxford! by Brian Franklin

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

We continue with the tales of my trails through England with my good French friend, Jean-Marc Dublé. In this Part 2 of  ” Our Man from the Roannais in England” we travel from London to the great city of learning – Oxford. Slap bang in the middle of England, Oxford is a city of enviable [...]

Part 1: Our Man from the Roannais in London! by Brian Franklin

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

April has been a remarkable month for us. Sunshine, travels and wonderful discoveries, good food and drink, and all part of an exceptional visit to England, accompanied by a very good French friend from the Roannais -  Jean-Marc Dublé. Jean-Marc is a most congenial fellow – bon vivant, creative intellectual, and painter, and with an [...]