Villefranche sur mer - Fall 2025 -1

Dear Friends,

It has been a long time since I have written.  We were in fact in Villefranche for January and February 2025 and had a great time, but I didn't write.  We are now back for a three week stay in October.  Much is different.  For a variety of reasons we are not in our regular apartment which feels odd.  The new apartment has some very nice qualities.  The view is spectacular.

The building is located just across the street from the old town so everything is very convenient.  There are lots of windows and sliding glass doors so it is very light and airy.  It also has an elevator which is great because it is on the 5th floor.  The apartment is made from two smaller apartments so it is a little strange, and it is very minimalist.  The kitchen has an induction stove top but no oven other than a sort of grill in a tiny microwave that is placed very high.  There are lots of plates and utensils but the pots and pans are sorely lacking and they are all non stick.  There is, in fact, no sauce pan.  There are no kitchen garbage cans or placemats and only one small kitchen towel and a couple of napkins.  Except for the lack of an oven all the problems could be easily and inexpensively solved.  We bought some napkins, placemats and towels that will work well for us at home.  We are somehow managing to survive and make some decent meals.

Steak, artichoke, baked potato and provençal veggies

chicken breast, roasted potatoes and asparagus

pork chop, mushroom dijon sauce, zucchini onion and tomato sauté, baked potato

chicken breast, rice, peppers and onions, provençal veggies

Of course we have not eaten all our dinners at home.  As usual we had dinner at Le Serre on the first night.  It was so great to be back again.

For my birthday dinner, we went a little more upscale to Le Bistro de L'étoile.  It was a perfect evening to sit on their great terrace and soak in the ambiance.

The food was also delicious.

filet de loup (sea bass)

tuna

île flottante

I also went for my annual birthday swim in the Mediterranean.  It was beautiful and refreshing, and the beach was quite crowded.  You have to take my word for it that I am the one waving from the sea.

Of course Jane was there to record the swim and watch out for me.

I have played pétanque.  The group is smaller in the fall, but the competition is intense.  Needless to say, I won.  Just look at that form.

So we are happily ensconced in our own little paradise while the world crumbles around us.  Neither  France nor the United States has a budget as required by law, but in France the government is still open although the prime minister who resigned last week was reappointed one day later.  Government stability is lacking here but at least they are still a democracy.

Thanks for reading and please comment,

The Unabashed Liberal