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House prices have risen in every UK region for the first time in almost two years thanks to the ‘Boris bounce’. The value of the average home jumped by 2.2 per cent – or £5,013 – to £234,734 in the year to the end of December. But for the first time since February 2018, prices … Read more
Rolling hills patched together by vineyards and everyone’s favourite fizz: Sailing through France’s stunning Champagne region on a hotel barge The European Waterways hotel barge ‘Panache’ sails down the River Marne and the Canal latéral à la Marne Guests enjoy day trips to the cities of Reims and Epernay and even visit Champagne house Moët & … Read more
Hiro raises his bare thigh and slams his foot on the ground spreading ripples across his man mountain of a body. He bows at his opponent and, in a vision of manboobs and giant wedgies, they engage in combat; wrestling, pushing, heaving and tugging until one emerges victorious. Suddenly, it’s my turn. I step into … Read more
‘Top up?’ inquired my husband, as we sat on the sun-dappled terrace. It’s hard to think of a nicer question. Especially when asked on a balmy afternoon in Beaune, the unofficial capital of Burgundy’s Côte-d’Or region, where we were simply doing what the good people of this dignified town do best – savouring one of … Read more
Margaux is explaining how babies drink champagne before they drink milk. ‘Really,’ she assures me, ‘it’s a tradition that goes back generations. A family member puts a drop or two on to the baby’s lips after it is born.’ Margaux, 25, was born and grew up in Reims, in the heart of the French Champagne region. … Read more