Bren Kübler
@brenkubler.bsky.social
Lining up words for 40+ years (editor, translator, writer). Swiss/UK citizen originally from Yorkshire. Semi-retired, living in rural SE France since 2007.
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Yep. We have a brand new one, 20 minutes away. VERY posh. (There's a much less posh one 20 minutes in the other direction, too).
This is in Livron, Drôme.
This is in Livron, Drôme.
November 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Yep. We have a brand new one, 20 minutes away. VERY posh. (There's a much less posh one 20 minutes in the other direction, too).
This is in Livron, Drôme.
This is in Livron, Drôme.
Ahhh. Alt Txt, merci. J'imaginais un transat bleu ciel coincé dans un couloir.
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
November 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Ahhh. Alt Txt, merci. J'imaginais un transat bleu ciel coincé dans un couloir.
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Almost as good is when somebody shows a presentation with the red underlines for typos or - once - the edited version of a document, with track changes and including comments.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Almost as good is when somebody shows a presentation with the red underlines for typos or - once - the edited version of a document, with track changes and including comments.
Yes! Many good memories of picnics on the road in deepest Morocco. Stop at the hole in the wall shop in the tiniest village. Buy a wheel of Vache qui rit, a local loaf, tomatoes, and a bottle of water.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
November 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Yes! Many good memories of picnics on the road in deepest Morocco. Stop at the hole in the wall shop in the tiniest village. Buy a wheel of Vache qui rit, a local loaf, tomatoes, and a bottle of water.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
Bliss.
Mr K used to call it the 'Rit qui vache' in his early days speaking French. So we still do.
Oh I sympathise. When we lived in Switzerland, we had neighbours/friends who were Cuban (him)/Norwegian (her). We never got to eat before 10 pm - if then. Total chaos in the kitchen, too.
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Oh I sympathise. When we lived in Switzerland, we had neighbours/friends who were Cuban (him)/Norwegian (her). We never got to eat before 10 pm - if then. Total chaos in the kitchen, too.
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
They were lovely, though, and heavy-handed with the Aquavit (helped stave off the hunger).
Too old for that now!
Yes! We used to go to Beaune a lot when we lived in Switzerland (and Burgundy in general). These days, our local olive oil press company does a range of their own mustards, which are fabulous.
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Yes! We used to go to Beaune a lot when we lived in Switzerland (and Burgundy in general). These days, our local olive oil press company does a range of their own mustards, which are fabulous.
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
I can never pass a gourmet épicerie without examining their range of mustards!
Sending yet more hugs and just wishing I could do something. Hug Cleo tight.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Sending yet more hugs and just wishing I could do something. Hug Cleo tight.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
And yes, it's beyond bad luck - it's just unbelievably awful.
I make the vinaigrette with walnut oil, whatever mustard I fancy (mustard freak here) and white balsamico, which is mild enough not to overpower the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
November 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I make the vinaigrette with walnut oil, whatever mustard I fancy (mustard freak here) and white balsamico, which is mild enough not to overpower the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
Walnut country is, of course, next door (noix de Grenoble!). We do have a tree for our own supply of nuts and local oil producers for the oil.
Corporate-speak is one of my greatest peeves. I remember I once snapped at my daughter when she said she'd 'reach out' to me when she had a minute.
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
November 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Corporate-speak is one of my greatest peeves. I remember I once snapped at my daughter when she said she'd 'reach out' to me when she had a minute.
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
She's worked for several US companies (in marketing, yep) and now speaks it all fluently. But no longer speaks to me!
YES! And use walnut oil in the vinaigrette, ofc.
November 12, 2025 at 12:34 PM
YES! And use walnut oil in the vinaigrette, ofc.
Same here. Back in the 70s I was forced to do an option on Middle High German as it was a prerequisite for the Dutch language option (go figure). I *hated* it. Not quite sure how I passed, but I did enjoy Dutch so it was worth it.
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Same here. Back in the 70s I was forced to do an option on Middle High German as it was a prerequisite for the Dutch language option (go figure). I *hated* it. Not quite sure how I passed, but I did enjoy Dutch so it was worth it.
I'm really glad! I lived in Switzerland for 28 years, and was already a fondue/raclette fan by the time we moved to France in 2007. But with age (I'm old)... both now seem way too heavy although I usually cave and eat one raclette per year (and regret it).
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I'm really glad! I lived in Switzerland for 28 years, and was already a fondue/raclette fan by the time we moved to France in 2007. But with age (I'm old)... both now seem way too heavy although I usually cave and eat one raclette per year (and regret it).
But did you *like* it???
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
But did you *like* it???
You need some excellent little potatoes with it too. And stab it and add some white whine (presume you found a recipe?).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
November 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
You need some excellent little potatoes with it too. And stab it and add some white whine (presume you found a recipe?).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
And sure, blame away. It's the only 'melted' cheese meal my insides can handle. Not counting halloumi and I don't like baked Camembert (or Camembert in general).
I love raclette but it doesn't love me. Fondue is the same. However, and weirdly, baked Vacherin Mont d'Or goes down just fine (and is rather delicious). Can you get it where you are?
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I love raclette but it doesn't love me. Fondue is the same. However, and weirdly, baked Vacherin Mont d'Or goes down just fine (and is rather delicious). Can you get it where you are?
I'm so very sorry, Roly.
November 10, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I'm so very sorry, Roly.
According to replies on the thread, it's a fake. But sadly enough, it wouldn't have surprised me if it wasn't.
November 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM
According to replies on the thread, it's a fake. But sadly enough, it wouldn't have surprised me if it wasn't.
Same. It's the texture of tripe that gets me. Currently preparing beef kidney to be cooked slowly in red wine (plus carrots/onions). Half for tonight, half for the freezer.
Mr K likes tripe. He used to get it when I was away for work but as I no longer am, he is tripe-deprived.
Sweetbreads? Heaven!
Mr K likes tripe. He used to get it when I was away for work but as I no longer am, he is tripe-deprived.
Sweetbreads? Heaven!
November 8, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Same. It's the texture of tripe that gets me. Currently preparing beef kidney to be cooked slowly in red wine (plus carrots/onions). Half for tonight, half for the freezer.
Mr K likes tripe. He used to get it when I was away for work but as I no longer am, he is tripe-deprived.
Sweetbreads? Heaven!
Mr K likes tripe. He used to get it when I was away for work but as I no longer am, he is tripe-deprived.
Sweetbreads? Heaven!
We actually named her Melly (for the mélange of colours) but within days she'd become Duchess. And yes, you are so right. How old is she? Duchess age? She's gorgeous anyway.
November 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
We actually named her Melly (for the mélange of colours) but within days she'd become Duchess. And yes, you are so right. How old is she? Duchess age? She's gorgeous anyway.
Oh wow. She looks so much like the elderly and fragile 'Duchess' who rolled up here a few years ago. Was only with us for a year, sadly, but - like all the others - she had love (and food and comfort, all of which she so desperately needed).
November 6, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Oh wow. She looks so much like the elderly and fragile 'Duchess' who rolled up here a few years ago. Was only with us for a year, sadly, but - like all the others - she had love (and food and comfort, all of which she so desperately needed).
I knew cheetahs purr but when I stroked one (in Botswana), it was absolutely stunning. And wonderful. And I cried like a drain.
November 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I knew cheetahs purr but when I stroked one (in Botswana), it was absolutely stunning. And wonderful. And I cried like a drain.
Is that in Botswana? I visited a cheetah orphanage there, years ago. Stroked one. It purred.
I cried.
Also sat in a jeep for several hours (Kenya) because mum and baby cheetahs had a rest in the shade under it, and played around it. Driver: shall I call for another jeep?
5 people in first jeep: NOO!
I cried.
Also sat in a jeep for several hours (Kenya) because mum and baby cheetahs had a rest in the shade under it, and played around it. Driver: shall I call for another jeep?
5 people in first jeep: NOO!
November 6, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Is that in Botswana? I visited a cheetah orphanage there, years ago. Stroked one. It purred.
I cried.
Also sat in a jeep for several hours (Kenya) because mum and baby cheetahs had a rest in the shade under it, and played around it. Driver: shall I call for another jeep?
5 people in first jeep: NOO!
I cried.
Also sat in a jeep for several hours (Kenya) because mum and baby cheetahs had a rest in the shade under it, and played around it. Driver: shall I call for another jeep?
5 people in first jeep: NOO!
Butcher's daughter here. We ate offal because it was cheap (and we could sell the 'better' parts).
Stunned that sweetbreads (which I love and which were then a 'poor person's meal' are now a delicacy and $$$ - at least in France).
Oh, and braised ox kidney? YES please!
Stunned that sweetbreads (which I love and which were then a 'poor person's meal' are now a delicacy and $$$ - at least in France).
Oh, and braised ox kidney? YES please!
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Butcher's daughter here. We ate offal because it was cheap (and we could sell the 'better' parts).
Stunned that sweetbreads (which I love and which were then a 'poor person's meal' are now a delicacy and $$$ - at least in France).
Oh, and braised ox kidney? YES please!
Stunned that sweetbreads (which I love and which were then a 'poor person's meal' are now a delicacy and $$$ - at least in France).
Oh, and braised ox kidney? YES please!
Otherwise known as 'whisky berbère'.
If you are in Morocco, I am jealous. Very jealous.
If you are in Morocco, I am jealous. Very jealous.
October 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Otherwise known as 'whisky berbère'.
If you are in Morocco, I am jealous. Very jealous.
If you are in Morocco, I am jealous. Very jealous.
Could well be how I found it! Sorry. I keep recommending it to people and forgot how I heard about it.
October 29, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Could well be how I found it! Sorry. I keep recommending it to people and forgot how I heard about it.