 Robert James - robjame | All Comments |
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| 21st March 2009 Betty Gilson | - From: Argeles sur Mer Our email address has changed. Your trip was wonderful and we so enjoyed keeping up with it with your blog. We miss you here at your winter home at TR. Things are also slowing down here. |
| 23rd February 2009 Betty Gilson | - From: Paris with First Timers Everyone should be so lucky to have their private tour guides who know Paris. Wish you had been with us last summer. |
| 23rd February 2009 Betty Gilson | - From: Fest' Oie in Sarlat I would have to be very hungry to try it but I know Walt would be first in line. Very interesting. |
| 14th February 2009 Betty Gilson | rude person - From: To Do in Dordogne At the Museum of Pre History, it would serve the rude woman at the ticket booth if you wrote a letter to the director. There is a bad apple in every bunch. We are enjoying your travels, keep them coming. |
| 12th February 2009 Ernie | Perfect - From: 3 Days; 3 Different Restaurants I'm glad to see you are "back on the air"; I've been missing your wonderful blog posts. |
| 12th February 2009 Betty Gilson | Looks good to me - From: 3 Days; 3 Different Restaurants I am more like Tracy, afraid to try something too different and then I always want what Walt has ordered. Sandy you don't look like you have gained a single pound. Bob let Sandy take a picture of you. Are you sure you are on this trip. Continue to have a wonderful time guys. |
| 12th February 2009 walt | - From: Our Winter Home in Dordogne the home and area looks like a story book! it sounds devine have a great visit yours walt |
| 12th February 2009 Betty Gilson | Beatiful place - From: Our Winter Home in Dordogne This is a beautiful place. What a wonderful experience for you to live in a small village and get to know the people of the area. We are really enjoying your blog. Keep them coming. Hey next year, if you don't want to house sit, we are available! |
| 31st January 2009 Betty Gilson | Conga line - From: Repas Campagnard (A Country Meal) I love the fact you two are getting to know the neighbors and Sandy I see you in the Conga line. Way to go girl! |
| 28th January 2009 Bill & Carolyn | OK, not Florida.... - From: Repas Campagnard (A Country Meal) OK, Bob, I accept that this could not by any stretch of the imagination be Florida (dessert table notwithstanding.) But I was surprised you didn't protest the food blog penalty that was imposed on the grounds this is more anthropological field observation of French rural culture than gastronomical. |
| 28th January 2009 robjame | - From: Repas Campagnard (A Country Meal) "this could be a community meal in Florida" - oh no Bill! Not a chance. In Florida they would have been lining up an hour ahead of time, the meal would have lasted only 20 minutes and they wouldn't spend the €15 in the first place. |
| 28th January 2009 Bill and Carolyn | Community gathering - From: Repas Campagnard (A Country Meal) I was surprised at how casually the people are dressed--if it weren't for the quality of the food and drink, this could be a community meal in Florida. Speaking of food and drink, I'm afraid there will have to be a penalty this time. |
| 27th January 2009 Linda Marissen | Great, great, great - From: Repas Campagnard (A Country Meal) This just sounds so interesting. This is quite an experience you are having. |
| 27th January 2009 Ernie | - From: Repas Campagnard (A Country Meal) Bob, I can certainly understand your initial hesitation about attending, but this sounds delightful. So does this: "Every time our glasses were partly emptied someone made sure they were filled." Keep it coming, please; I'm enjoying your trip. |
| 27th January 2009 Betty Gilson | Great pictures - From: The Tempete of 2009 I know your host family are glad you are house setting. I really enjoy your blog and you are having some great experiences. We miss you here in Florida. Bet |
| 27th January 2009 Bill and Carolyn | Survivors, for sure! - From: The Tempete of 2009 The gite owners were lucky to have you on the scene. Glad you made it through theTempete of '09. Great blog* *(Full marks on this one for no mention of food.) |
| 21st January 2009 robjame | - From: Still More Truffles The best black winter truffles were E800 a kilo or about $1000 US a kilo or $400 a lb - almost worth a trip over Steve and Mary! One the size of a golf ball might be 200 gm and about $100US. It would last a good while as you only use shavings. |
| 21st January 2009 Mary & Stephen Lundy | Imported truffles! - From: Still More Truffles Thanks for including us...Black truffles are currently selling for $799 a pound at our Loudoun Wegmans. They were $399 several months ago! Enjoy your trip. |
| 21st January 2009 Linda Marissen | Great food - From: Still More Truffles Wow, that is so interesting. Would love to try all of the foods you mentioned. Linda |
| 21st January 2009 Betty Gilson | yummy food pictures - From: Still More Truffles I would love to try everything in your pictures, especially the Carre de Venea. I hear the truffles are very expensive. Give us an idea of the cost. Great pictures! |
| 21st January 2009 Ernie | Amazing - From: Still More Truffles "... a buttered slice of French baguette, covered with slices of truffle ..." So simple, but sublime. Big sigh. We share your feelings about the wines of Cahors. I wish we could get more of it here in Nova Scotia. |
| 17th January 2009 Bill & Carolyn | "Hardly can be considered food?" - From: Truffle Festival at Sarlat Bob, I completely fell for your earlier truffle explanation when you assured me they "hardly can be considered food." I was thinking this was some kind of medicinal herb, table decoration, or something you smoked--or else, in case of illness, steamed in boiling water, or applied with a poultice. Now you're regaling us with accounts of truffle appetizers, restaurant vs. street truffles, truffle recipes, etc. No more bunk: Truffles ARE clearly food. (But they do sound delectable....) If my mouth waters, it must be food. |
| 14th January 2009 Bill and Carolyn | Bergerac Wine - From: Shopping at Carrefour Hi, Bob and Sandy: We bought that Bergerac wine in Guionie in summer '07, and were pleased to see that it's available in Japan too. But not at that price! Wasn't it Bill Cosby playing Noah, getting instructions on the dimensions of the ark, who asked God, "What's a cubit?" |
| 13th January 2009 Ernie | The fish counter - From: Shopping at Carrefour Hi Bob, I am glad to hear that you have both recovered. You do have a way of highlighting the differences between the North America and France. I can get wonderful seafood here in Nova Scotia (and that included lobster at $5.90 a pound 10 days ago), but with nowhere near the care and attention you received at Carrefour. Keep it coming ... your readership awaits. |
| 11th January 2009 robjame | Truffle Fete - From: Winter In Dordogne Ah Bill... still time to revise your grading. This truffle fete is not about confections. This truffle is "subterranean fungi of the genus Tuber" which is only, coincidentally, edible. Hardly can be considered food. |
| 11th January 2009 Bill and Carolyn | Sarlat in Winter - From: Winter In Dordogne Interesting to see your surroundings at this time of year, and to read your comments. I was going to give you full marks for omitting all reference to food until (oh-oh) I read about the global chocolate contest. But those truffles are great little confections, aren't they? Keep enjoying yourselves, and keep the blogs coming..... |
| 1st January 2009 Ernie (or Anselm) | I'd rather be in Paris - From: Paris at New Years - 1 January 2009 Thanks for posting this, Bob. Sounds like an excellent start to your vacation. Just to make you feel even better, we are having a blizzard in Halifax today ... about 30 cms of snow with wind gusts to 90 k/hr. I'd rather be in Paris. Looking forward to hearing more! |
| 9th January 2008 j.cronin | White Wine. - From: Three days in Sete Almost certainly"Picpoul de Pinet"Probably the best wine to drink with seafood!!!! |
| 7th January 2008 Bill and Diane from Guelph | Thanks for Review of Sagittaire - From: Still More Paris Food Reports Just returned from Christmas in Paris. Ate at Sagittaire twice and loved it. Would never have found it without your review. Thanks for a new find. And it really is only €30 |
| 6th November 2007 berkeleytravelers | thanks for taking us along on your trip - From: Bob & Sandy in France Just caught up on your trip blog and wanted to say again how much I enjoyed it. The Dordogne is one of my favorite places in the world, and I envy anyone who spends a month there. What a lovely time! Thanks again for sharing it. |
| 2nd November 2007 Beth Buzby | White? - From: Three days in Sete Good God, is Maureen actually drinking WHITE wine? (Sete looks wonderful.) |
| 8th October 2007 Anselm | Wonderfully written - From: More Dordogne Restaurants Delightful descriptions of food, Bob. Loved the reference to the rural cafés. We've had some mixed café experiences too, but that's all part of the pleasures of travel in France. |
| 6th October 2007 Leely | Wow! - From: Dordogne What a beautiful gite. And thanks--now I finally know how to pronounce Carlux. Previously, I simply avoided saying it. If you get the chance, try Les Quatre Saisons in Sarlat for dinner one evening. We enjoyed it very much, but I'm curious to hear the impressions of a dedicated foodie. Have a wonderful time. It's an incredible area. |
| 3rd October 2007 Berkeleytravelers | "travel blog with food"! - From: Paris Food Reports Thanks so much for all this information - I heard about this on www.ourparisforum.com, where it's getting a lot of attention! Many people have been following your adventures, and enjoying very much. We will keep reading (I especially, as I see you are headed to the Dordogne - my favorite part of the world!) |
| 3rd October 2007 GitteK | Merci ! - From: Still More Paris Food Reports Wonderful wonderful food blog ! I love your descriptions and your photos, can't wait to try Le Sagittaire, next time I am Paris ! Keep up the good work ! |
| 1st October 2007 Monica Pileggi | What fun! - From: Paris Mini GTG Glad you all had a good time. Food looks fabulous. I enjoyed my GTG this past May in Paris. Monica |
| 30th September 2007 robjame | Our Apartment - From: Our Apartment I guess I said it kind of awkwardly... What I meant to say was I would not stay in a "hotel" for more than 4 or 5 days. Anything more than that, I would opt for an apartment. We are converted to the apartment/gite style of travel now. Bob |
| 29th September 2007 Stu Dudley | Paris Apt - From: Our Apartment Hi Bob - it's me, Stu Why would you not stay in the Apt for more than 4 or 5 days??? |
| 28th September 2007 Ernie (also known as Anselm) | I feel your pain - From: Ou est la reverse dans mon Alpha-Romeo? Hi Bob, When I started to read this I thought "The ring on the gear stick!" I had exactly the same experience with a Renault Vel Satis in 2002, but luckily that was in a deserted parking lot. Like you, I finally stumbled across the ring. Magically, it slipped into reverse. Great blog. Glad you liked L'Ecume. Looking forward to more. |
| 21st September 2007 Bill & Carolyn | And who's from where? - From: Paris Mini GTG I thought at first that "Paris Mini GTG" was a small municipal rail transit facility, perhaps a shuttle service. Then the light dawned! Thanks for the additional identification of the group by names. I can guess who's from Northern Ontario (the plaid shirts give that away), but who is from New Hampshire and who from Colorado? With that information I should be able to sort out the salmon/cod and quail eaters from the rabbit and veal-foot eaters. But who had the rocket soup (explodes on contact with saliva, no doubt) and who was tickled by the funny mouthful of foie gras? |
| 21st September 2007 kmowatt | Hi Robjam - From: Paris Mini GTG Really enjoying the blog, have to miss it for a week while I'm in London, looking forward to catching up when I get back. Love the addition of the pictures. Hope my apartment rental goes as smoothly as yours!! |
| 21st September 2007 Leburta Kanno | Wonderful! - From: Paris Mini GTG So who's who? Leburta |
| 20th September 2007 opaldog | Wish I was in Paris - From: Montmartre Your pictures make me wish I was there. I have been to Paris once a year for the last 8 years. I never tire of "her". |
| 20th September 2007 robjame | Delayed But Better For It? - From: Our Flight Bill I love the comment about the uncertain deck of cards with unknown aces, etc. Great analogy that he uses. You know, it didn't really bother me all that much as I was certain of the uncertainty! |
| 20th September 2007 Carolyn | I love your blog! - From: Montmartre I feel like I am there with you and Sandra, walking, looking, tasting and being Parisian! This is really great writing! xo |
| 19th September 2007 Leely | - From: Montmartre I'm really enjoying this. I haven't spent much time in Montmartre but you have me intrigued. Enjoy your holiday. |
| 19th September 2007 Tod | Oh, just to be on the street where you live!! - From: Montmartre After reading you report on our Fodors I do heartily agree Robjame that this blog with pictures to illustrate your comments is just wonderful! Thank you so much - looking forward to it all. |
| 19th September 2007 Ernie | Perfect! - From: Our Apartment Hi Bob and Sandra, I have a huge smile on my face, delighted in your enjoyment of Paris and, of course, the apartment. You're writing a terrific blog, too. I'll be looking forward to more. |
| 18th September 2007 Bill & Carolyn | Dealyed, But Better For It? - From: Our Flight New York Times September 17, 2007 Just Think of the Hassles as Character Building By RICHARD A. FRIEDMAN, M.D. IT’S an affront to your physical comfort, a threat to your sanity and a challenge to your circadian rhythm. Any guesses? That’s right, it’s business travel. Being an optimist with an apocalyptic imagination, I like to indulge in all the worst-case scenarios when I travel, while confident that these are things that happen to other people. Not this time. From the perch of a holiday traveler, I recently got a taste of how bad it can get for business travelers. Arriving two hours before a return flight in Rome with my partner, I got the grim news that there was only one remaining seat. One of us had to stay behind. The agent was unmoved by my assertion of self-importance, and directed me to a growing line of disgruntled travelers, a mix of fuming businessmen and exhausted vacationers. As recompense for being bumped off an oversold flight, Alitalia offered each of us $300 cash, a hotel voucher for the night and a business-class return flight first thing in the morning. Suddenly, things were looking up: an extra night to revel in the Eternal City, money to burn and a relaxing flight home. In short, another day, albeit enforced, of Roman holiday. But this was not the way a German businessman ahead of me felt. Muttering about the unscrupulous behavior of the airline, he started to have a meltdown. Being a psychiatrist, I thought I might try to reason with him and get him to calm down. Not a chance. He started ranting at me and pounding his fists on the counter. I discreetly suggested that the attendant call security, and not a moment too soon; within minutes, he came to blows with two beefy Italian security guards who wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him. Admittedly, this man had some problems, to put it kindly. But it got me wondering what exactly is so stressful about travel, especially for the average businessman or woman. Airport food, you say? Yes, leaving yourself to the tender mercy of airport cuisine can be a grim affair. Sterile and uncomfortable environment? Here you raise the hackles of many an architect who worked long and hard to bring light and space into your travel world. But I’ll grant that terminal seating leaves something to be desired. No, I’m afraid that none of the above comes close to the real culprits of travel funk: lack of control and unpredictability. Imagine you have been invited into a game of poker and are given two choices: a regular deck of cards or a mystery deck with an unknown number of aces, kings and the like. Which deck would you pick? Of course, you would choose the regular deck, where you could calculate — if you were so inclined — the odds of drawing any one card or hand. Travel is like mystery poker: you are literally blind to the chances of the outcome because there is always crucial information that is missing. In case you haven’t noticed, people generally do not like uncertainty and ambiguity. When you are trapped in an airport terminal and hear an announcement that your flight has been delayed, you usually have no clue whether you’ll be leaving in 30 minutes or three hours. Which brings us to the crux of travel stress: lack of control. For all those alpha men and women of the business world, accustomed as they are to order and control, this is not a happy situation. So what can you do with such unpleasantness? Well, there is really only one thing you are in total control of while traveling — yourself. You can’t escape infuriating delays, but you can adjust your schedule to make room for them; don’t put extra pressure on yourself by making your schedule so tight that there is no leeway for error. Carry a diversion with you at all times. I recall one exasperated businesswoman in the airport at Boston furiously e-mailing on her BlackBerry about a delay. When I circled back a few minutes later, I found her relaxed, watching a movie on her laptop. Smart move. And while I’m at it, beware of the business lounge. Bored and stressed though you may be, the last thing you need is a drink or two to relax before your flight. Sure, you’ll feel good for an hour or so, but alcohol is a diuretic, and you are about to spend several hours in dry recirculated air, narcotized and dehydrated — a state generally not conducive to business matters. If all else fails, just think of business travel as good training for the work itself: navigating uncertainty and frustration with aplomb. Bon voyage. Richard A. Friedman is a professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. |
| 15th September 2007 Bill & Carolyn | Bon Voyage! - From: Bob & Sandy in France This is a great idea! We're looking forward to the updates, and following you day-by-day. Here's hoping you both have a wonderful trip. |
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