Friday 17 June 2011

the march of time


Oh well - it had to happen - a "significant" birthday. Can't stop the march of time and the mathematics of another year gone! (Our dancing friends appreciated the croix occitane on my birthday cake)

Whilst I am not keen on many of the results of aging, it is worth remembering that its only because of the luxury of retirement at an age when there is still time to embark on new enterprises that we are here living la vie francaise.

It is almost a year since we left England, at that time without a French home to go to, in some ways it seems so much longer than that as we feel so much at home. We certainly have no regrets about our decision to come.

What do we miss from England?
  • sitting in the pub with friends after clogging practice (and the beer)
  • my hairdresser
  • decent garden centres
  • j cloths ( brought back a year's supply on my last visit to England)
Other than these not much else other than our friends. Family, who did not live near us in England, we are seeing as often as we did and travelling back to England for visits is really easy.


The list on the plus side is just too long. We are loving the weather, living in the countryside, the lack of traffic, the food, the lifestyle in general. Our new house and garden is just what we were looking for and we are enjoying our projects to make it "ours". Getting involved with traditional music and dance has been great for us , we have lots of new friends and Trevor is being able to extend his musical repetoire including learning a new instrument.

The one thing which would improve things for me ( apart from the above list) would be being able to speak better French. Day to day stuff like shopping is ok but the general banter of conversation is more of a challenge as the subject keeps changing. The local accent round these parts ( think Geordie) doesn't help either! I really must look into some lessons after the summer.



On other matters the kittens are thriving - unfortunately still all here and causing havoc - we have banished them to outside most of the time as their antics were wrecking the kitchen. Charbonne ( mother cat) is booked in for spaying next week - better late than never!

2 comments:

  1. It's a bit of a plod, learning the French language, and it is the same for most of us living here!

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  2. I don't think I really miss anything from the UK but I do miss a few things from S.Africa! I think as one gets older memory gets worse, and learning a new language is not as easy any more. My husband did French at school and has a good memory. Once living here he will be fine. I did not do it at school and was past 60 when I started learning. Yes I can get by out shopping but holding a conversation is hopeless :-(
    That sunrise is something else. Belated Happy Birthday. Diane

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