PARDON MY FRENCH

With notebook in hand, food and travel writer Sally Hammond sets off around the romantic and seductive country of France.

Pardon My French! is Sally's travel journal as she samples the local food, stays in local places (both on and off the beaten track), struggles with the language, discovers history and mysteries, and, of course, collects reciipes en route.

From Paris to the snowy Pyrénées and back again, Sally and Gordon Hammond go in search of delightful food and charming company. So sit back and enjoy an entertaining and delicous tour of France. Bon appétit!

PRESS RELEASE

Shortly before leaving Australia, committed Francophile, Sally Hammond, tempted fate when telling friends about her planned trip to France.

“I’ve never had a bad meal there,” she asserted with apparent confidence. Fortunately they couldn’t see her fingers crossed behind her back.

So is this going to be the trip to prove her wrong?

With her husband Gordon, the tireless ‘Mad Photographer’ at the wheel, Sally zips off on another adventure – firstly south to Burgundy and Provence then heading west across the country, swiftly dipping into Spain and even more swiftly out again, and then dawdling up the west coast via Gascony, the Dordogne and the Loire.

Among many other things Sally and Gordon trace mineral waters to their sources, learn of donkeys in PJs, tour champagne cellars, a famous cognac house and an underground chateau, and sleep in an 800 year old castle.

Then one lunchtime Sally samples a mystery ingredient which turns out to be a little more than she’d planned on.

So here’s the invitation: “Please come along for the ride,” she says. “Think of it as a ‘tour de France’ – without the bikes.”

Reviews

Paul Ippolito 2007

"This is a tale of French life from the eyes of Sydney travel and lifestyle writer, Sally Hammond who with her photographer husband, Gordon have recently spent six weeks getting to know France and getting to know the French way of life more intimately. Their love of the place and the richness of their experiences of all things French is reflected and crafted through the words of Sally Hammond transporting the reader vividly into all parts of France. Whether it be the picturesque settings, the history steeped buildings, the village charm and the endless fine food and wine, Sally Hammond is able to share her story of their interaction with the French. In what seems a whirlwind tour, the reader is taken from Paris to the Pyrenees. The romance, history and charm of French life comes through in almost every interaction and the connection with its people to its past always figuring prominently – something that Sally Hammond is able to capture well through her ever increasing knowledge of the French language and the ensuing embracement of the French people of her. A trip to France will not be far off after reading this delightful book. "

Melbourne Weekly and Melbourne Weekly Bayside

Sally Hammond is the most delightful travel writer. Her latest book, Pardon My French is a real treat. (It) offers fantastic recipes and tales of encounters with the locals. It is also an engaging history lesson on France. Sally paints vivid word pictures and captures the ethos of this extraordinary country. It is a ripping yarn.

South Coast Register - Lyn Cram

This is the best book I’ve yet read by travel writer Sally Hammond. Accompanied by her husband Gordon, the mad photographer. .Sally’s descriptions are so well written you can see France through her eyes.

Daily Mecury Mackay Qld.

Sally Hammond’s travel books stand out with personalisation of experiences in an entertaining way. Combined with Gordon’s graphic pictures, the books make you want to beat a path to the travel agent

Daily Telegraph (Sydney) – Dave Bullard

Sally and Gordon’s enthusiasm is infectious – readers will find themselves hankering to follow in their footsteps.

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Feedback

Dear Sally,

I am just writing to say how much I have enjoyed your new book "Pardon My French!", I also loved "Just Enough French" so was delighted to see you had written another one. It couldn't have come at a better time as my husband and I are off on yet another trip to France in September. As we also lease the Renault when we are there it is like I am living every moment of some of your descriptive and at times amusing information. I have just finished an 8 week "Travellers French" course so hope it will not get me into too much trouble with the language - but I am not holding out much hope. I agree with you that it is when you are being asked a question that the panic sets in. I can relate so much to your books and as I read I note down the little villages that you discover on your journey. I was particularly delighted to see that your were reading "The Ripening Sun", which I have just finished. I read "La Belle Saison" first as I couldn't get a copy of the first book here for some time. In fact I emailed Patricia and she was going to send me a copy but in the meantime Borders found the one and only copy in Melbourne.

We are looking forward to visiting her vineyard as we have rented a house for a week in Belves which is very close to Gageac. Thanks for the wine suggestions as I don't know much about wine but after reading her book I know a lot more now. Patricia told me about a very good restaurant run by her friends at Monbazillac, so when I saw that you had seen the Chateau I had to tell you the name of the restaurant (for your next visit of course). It is called Le Moulin de Malfourat.

I am sure you will have a copy, but I recently purchased the guide to the best French markets called "Tarragon and Truffles" by Anne Gregg. Knowing your love of the markets it must have been written for you.

Thank you once again for writing such readable and enjoyable travel/food books. I really do feel like I am sitting in the back seat of your Renault.

Kind regards PK

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Dear Sally,

I love your books and they could so easily have been written by myself. My husband and I love Paris and France and have been so many times I have lost count. We too love to lease cars, traveland meet people stay in their homes and eat and drink - oh yes!! The only saving garce is that you also walk and walk.

I would love to know the contact for the B&B in paris with the Iris room. Can you please tell me where and how to contact Madame? We are going again in September this year and would love to try to stay there.

Looking forward to your reply and more books about France.

Thanking you LC

“Pardon my French” but…bloody fantastic! . . . The Aperitif intro painted a picture of that seedy little restaurant that was so vivid I could taste the food. GM

Hello Sally,

I really like your style Sally...none that of that self indulgent "look at me" stuff like a book I was given recently. . I like the way you share your experiences with the reader rather than promote. I also like the way you explain words and phrases that often other authors asssume everyone knows. I am in caught in that position of not wanting to read your book too fast so I can extend the enjoyment just a little longer!!. Of course after this I will have to read all your previous books. PM

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