Wiltshire in pictures: Tigers, toads and Valentine's preparations
Across Wiltshire this week there has been animal news, a search for information about photographs from a 100-year-old camera and the 'world's most romantic village' welcoming visitors for Valentine's Day.Lover may be a small place but it has worldwide recognition for its temporary postal service set up ahead of 14 February.
Letters to heaven: continuing the postal theme, a funeral directors in Wilton has set up a post box to allow people to write to loved ones who have passed on to help with the grieving process.
Picture quest: A 20-year-old vintage camera enthusiast, Oliver Barnes, is trying to track down more information on pictures from an old film he found in a 100-year-old camera bought from a Salisbury Antiques Market.
On the move: One of Longleat's most rare Amur tigers, five-year-old Yuki, has departed for pastures new as part of the European breeding programme. She has been moved to Knowsley Safari in Merseyside, with the hope that she will breed with a new partner, but her parents and siblings remain at Longleat.
Help for toads: the toad patrol volunteers in Warminster are pleased with the announcement of overnight closures of a road in the town that the creatures have to cross to get to their ancestral breeding pond.
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North Wales Live
an hour ago
- North Wales Live
I visited laid-back wine bar with a touch of French sophistication
There is something very appealing about simple wooden interiors, which make me want to put down my coat, grab a pew and glug down a refreshing glass of wine. A rustic table and a wine rack, visible from outside, was proving difficult to resist, especially as the sun was shining on a warm Ruthin evening. In the seventies, wine bars emerged as a concept, often seen as a more relaxed and sophisticated alternative to traditional, male-dominated pubs. But what makes a good wine bar now? Well, there's the wine, for starters. Jacques offers a vast selection of classic reds from Bordeaux and Burgundy. Or, you can sip a white wine from the Loire Valley region or swig a fizzy rose from Provence. The bar was absolutely heaving with bottles of the stuff, along with sparkling champagne and a host of different Belgium or European beers. The atmosphere is relaxed; the lights are dim with soft jazz playing in the background. There are paintings of French streets on the wall with peacock art cushions on the pews. We were sat on mis-matched paint splattered chairs, which give off a shabby chic relaxed vibe, and noticed a small roof terrace upstairs, where a few people were chatting and taking advantage of the good weather. Jacques wine bar has gone for Parisian flair with a menu influenced by French classics, which don't really need re-inventing. They include baked Camembert, frog legs or French onion soup for starters or baguettes with various French cheeses for lunch. There are plenty of sharing dishes such as a charcuterie platter, with a selection of cured meats and pâtés, served with homemade chutneys, bread and crackers or a selection of French cheeses. For mains, there are French classics such as beef bourguignon with tender braised beef in red wine with garlic, and puree de pommes de terre or ratatouille with stewed vegetables in a rich tomato sauce served with a warm crusty baguette. We noticed that some customers on the next table ordered the 'Moules Marinières' which was flamed mussels in a bacon butter sauce, with pickled lemon and parsley. They used a crusty bit of their baguette to mop the sauce up and appeared to be really enjoying it. On a Sunday, Jacques offer a variety of roasts served French style, such as a half roast chicken, roast potatoes, seasonal veg, purée de pommes de terre. However, we noticed a deal chalked on a blackboard, which offered their signature Steak Frites with a pint of beer or a glass of wine for just £15. It seemed too good of an offer to turn down. We decided to choose a glass of house white and a glass of house red to go with our Steak Frites. The white wine was tangy and crisp whilst the red wine was fruity and bold. The steak was cooked to our liking 'Medium rare' and was juicy, tender and succulent. The steak knife cut through the pan seared steak like butter and all the juices and flavour sizzled throughout the meat in a perfect haze of rouge. The steak butter was absolutely delicious and we were later told it was a secret recipe, although it seemed to be a combination of bacon, paprika and sage sauce. We were both given a generous portion of French fries and they were crispy and very morish due to a little hint of seasoning. We had a simple mixed lettuce salad on the side of both our plates. We were too happily stuffed for dessert but could see that they offered choices such as lemon tart, served with shortbread and ice cream, salted caramel chocolate pot or cheesecake for around £9. Instead, we sipped our wine and let our food go down as we were in no particular rush to leave. It reminded me of the perfect Parisian evening after a day of sightseeing and winding down with a glass of red. I half expected a man in a stripy t shirt to cycle past the window with some onions over his shoulder. Jacques wine bar has live music at the weekends and also put on a terrific roast. We saw notices for bottomless brunches for £25, which promised cocktails and chaos and a little French mischief for two hours. Yep, this little laid back wine bar has a certain 'Je ne sais quoi' and will leave you feeling full, happy and perhaps a little bit tipsy. The Facts Steak Frites with a glass of wine £15 with a service surcharge of 10% (£3) bringing the total to £33 Atmosphere - Va-Va Voom Car Parking - Limited Street parking or public car park just off St Peter's Square. Service - Confident and laid backed.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
British expats seeking relaxing life urged to move to charming EU town
The experts at International Living have included one town on France's Cote d'Azur on their list of the top eight best European towns for "adventurous expats". If you are considering a move to the EU to either save money or escape the city crowds, this little-known spot in France might be your best bet. International Living has published its Hidden Places Initiative report which reveals eight of Europe's best towns for adventurous expats, including one on the French Riviera. 'Everybody talks about places like Barcelona, Lisbon and Florence. But the best overseas destinations aren't always the ones you've heard of,' says Jennifer Stevens, executive editor at International Living. Enter Villefranche-sur-Mer. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a stunning town located between Nice and Monaco on France's Cote d'Azur. The town offers expats a quieter perspective on the glitzy French Riviera and International Living calls it 'a mash-up of wildly elegant, flower-flowing villas and earthy, burnt-pastel homes stacked haphazardly along the Mediterranean'. That said, Villefranche-sur-Mer still maintains the iconic Riviera glamour of its neighbours like Nice. In fact, part of the James Bond classic Never Say Never Gain was filmed nearby. The hilly landscape allows for heightened views of the bay below, while stairs take residents up to the steeper parts of the town, including its historic centre. Describing Villefranche, International Living says: 'It's as if Positano and Florence, Italy, did an 1800s collaboration with a palette of muted orange, yellow, and deep turquoise.' Two of the biggest draws of the town are its horseshoe-shaped bay and its impressive architecture - including a smattering of pastel-coloured French villas and cafes and medieval alleyways. But those picture-perfect villas and apartment buildings don't come cheap. According to International Living: 'A couple can expect to spend at least £2,233 a month, with rent starting around £2,527'. Thus, Villefranche is not for every budget, but it is ideal for expats with a love of French art and culture. As confirmed by International Living 'music is a big deal in town, as is art'. Villefranche residents enjoy open-air cinemas throughout the summer and impressive art shows at the town's Citadel. Other favourite events including classic car races, the Naval Flower Battle, jazz concerts, and open-air plays performed in the historic centre. If you want to improve your French while living in town, you can also take lessons at the Institut de Français. The school offers courses ranging from two weeks to one month and also organises excursions and homestays. Given the higher cost of living compared to other European destinations, Villefranche-sur-Mer is best-suited for digital nomads and retirees craving serenity, cultural enrichment and a touch of glam. Full list of International Living's Hidden Places destinations Villefranche-sur-Mer, France Toulon, France Litochoro, Greece Kavala, Greece Ioannina, Greece Esposende, Portugal Rayong, Thailand Guimarães, Portugal San Pancho, Mexico Cádiz, Spain Palermo, Italy Amed, Bali Ascoli Piceno, Italy Isla Holbox, Mexico
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I visited popular EU city and noticed obvious thing you'd never see in UK'
My second trip to the capital of France made me realise this one hilarious thing that could never be seen in London - and it's the art of minding in other people's business One thing that I love about travelling is learning about other cultures and lifestyles. In my last trip to Paris, I realised something that until this day is making me smile, and it's something that you wouldn't see in the UK. To add to the list of spontaneous activities, I went to Paris for the weekend. You'd think I wouldn't have been able to do much, but I actually did a lot. Since I had already been there, I wasn't really interested in seeing the tourist attractions. This trip was more about enjoying the sunshine and the Parisian atmosphere. As my friend and I were walking through the crowded streets, we realised that the majority of bars had their chairs facing the street. At first, I thought it was weird because I thought I was being watched by others. Turns out, that's the whole point and what makes a true Parisian-local experience. In Paris, and other European cities, people-watching is a thing, and it has been deeply integrated into their culture. It's basically sitting outside a café whilst sipping a drink and watching the world - and people - go by. As we sat to have a coffee in what they call a bistro café or a sidewalk café, we finally understood the joyous feeling of just seeing what other people were doing. It was so obvious, but it felt less 'creepy' because everyone else around us was doing the same. It was pure entertainment. Another thing that I realised is that life in France moves at a slower pace. What in London would be to grab a coffee and get on with your day, in Europe, you could sit on the terrace with your friends and talk for hours and hours without feeling like you've wasted your time. I've been living in London for over a decade, and I've never seen such a thing - and I don't think the UK is the type of 'people-watching'. Everyone always seems to be in a rush and barely have time to see what goes around them - let alone sit in a café for hours just to overhear other people's business. One thing about travelling is that you have to adapt yourself as to how people do things. What might be considered rude and uncomfortable in one country, it might not be in another. London and Paris have a lot of differences but also similarities. Nonetheless, I still think it's a fun activity to do. My main takeaway about this trip is that in France, people would rather be starred and feel their presence noticed, rather than ignored and not acknowledged - which makes total sense.
