Episode 8

Tales From The Blue Coast - Blake

Published on: 11th July, 2025

Patsi in conversation with Blake, who lived a complex life before settling in Nice. Born in Vancouver, Blake shares his unusual heritage and early years marked by frequent moves between France and Canada. He recounts his troubled youth including stints in juvenile and adult prison, and his eventual transformation through sports and meditation. He discusses his success in real estate ventures, as well as his decision to make Nice his permanent home with his two children, brought up with the support of his ex wife. Passionate about the Riviera capital, Blake highlights the beauty of Nice and the cultural, societal and historical richness that has brought him to peace. This episode contains references to violence, substance abuse and suicide which might be upsetting to some listeners.

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About the Podcast

Tales From The Blue Coast
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Patsi Mackenzie, a writer and broadcaster from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, spends much of the year on the French Riviera. Captivated by the city of Nice and the people who - like her – go there once and never want to leave.

In the summer of 2024, Patsi began recording snapshot conversations in English on the Côte d’Azur. Her guests cover a wide range of ages, professions and backgrounds. From musicians and historians, to chefs and teachers. All with one thing in common; a devotion to the Riviera. Their personal stories are revealed in these gently probing podcasts, recorded against the lively backdrop of Nice. The show also travels the coast, taking in contributors who work in some of its other popular towns such as Antibes and Monaco.

Informative, amusing and at times deeply moving, these individual stories are both a love letter to the French Riviera … and an invite to visit it. At least once in a lifetime.

Tales from the Blue Coast launches summer 2025 on all supporting apps.

About your host

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Patricia Mackenzie

Patsi is a writer and broadcaster from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. She has worked in radio and television production since leaving school, and has run the award winning independent production company, Sorbier Productions, since 2005.
She is currently a full-time screenwriter.
Patsi spends much of the year in Nice where these podcasts are recorded. Funny, poignant and revealing personal stories of others who like their host, have made a home in the South of France.