hannah dee

Number 11 in a series of N…

After walking to Otley the other day, we rediscovered an old friend and found a new one. Yes, someone’s opened a pub called “Old Cock” next to “Brian Pickles Lawn Mowers”.

Number 10 in a series of N…

Number 9 in a series of N…

This photo was taken by my mum in Galleries Lafayette in Paris. Apparently “Acne” is upscale designer clothes, and you can find it between Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood. Heh.

The Shag Cafe has a new house band. Naturally, they’re called “Shag Band”. They’ve got a very cool washboard – actually two different types of washboard with various other bits of kitchen equipment bolted to it. Here’s a very short clip – apologies for the sound quality, but I think the video does capture a certain je ne sais quoi, and at least it is short…

Number 8 in a series of N…

Chambery airport isn’t really in Chambery. If you’re going there, you should probably realise you’re looking at a 20euro taxi ride from the train station. Or if you have a bit of time, you can take a local bus (number 6) to the end of the line (Voglans Eglise), ask for directions, and then take a 15 minute stroll downhill, arriving at the airport on foot. And on your way, you’ll pass a dog training centre called Hot Dog Education.

Number 7 in a series of N…

Actually, I think that if I were to suffer a massive career change and open a native American gift shop in France, I might well call it Sioux Venir. I’m really rather taken with the name. I’ve never been in, of course – I don’t have much call for bows, arrows or dream catchers. But I do like the name. Comedian Dave Gorman, upon my recommendation, has entered this shop into his Pun Street. So thanks to this shop, I’ve been mentioned by twitter ID on Absolute Radio. Fame at last!

Number 6 in a series of N…

I particularly like the photo on the sign.

Number 5 in a series of N…

Now, having looked it up, I know that Chlamyde is the French word for a Chlamys. Which is a type of Greek cloak. But when I first passed this shop I was sure that it was an upmarket tailors called Chlamydia. Which is a type of sexually transmitted infection.

Number 4 in a series of N….

I can only assume that Albatross doesn’t have the same connotations in French…

Number 3 in a series of N…

La Pissarde (snigger).

And when the guidebook says you can expect “vues dégagées“, round here they’re really not taking the piss.