Letter from France: May 2013

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the channel

The English seaside

Photographer Peter Williams celebrates the peculiar eccentricities and quintessential charms – from helter-skelters to lighthouses, pirates, palmists and Punch and Judy – of this cherished and rapidly changing English landscape

Consumer Focus

From the website:

“Consumer Focus is the statutory organisation campaigning for a fair deal for consumers in England, Wales, Scotland, and, for postal services, Northern Ireland.

Advice for individuals on energy and post is given by Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06).”

Experience Ardèche

Jane Egginton discovers a strong identity and villages of character in a hidden but much loved corner of France

Snow time

The winter sports business has seen fewer skiers on the slope over the last few years (there were 911,000 UK skiers on the piste last season compared to 1.2 million in 2007/8), but you could have fooled me if the turn out the 2011 Ski & Snowboard Show was anything to go by.

BAA told to sell off Gatwick, Stansted & Edinburgh

On this, the 105th anniversay of the first manned flight by the Wright Brothers, the Competition Commssion (CC), has issued a report (over 107 pages plus appendices) saying these three airports should be sold;- maybe.Why maybe?Because this isn’t the final report. That is due next February/March so I suppose the CC could change its recommendations. [...]

England’s super sleuths

The weekend saw the release of this summer’s most anticipated blockbuster, The Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film with Nottingham’s Wollaton Hall taking centre stage as Wayne Manor