Category: our relocation life

Our French Life, our relocation life, Our Renovation Life

The Language Relationship Barriers

ournormandylife

So whilst I may be somewhat of an angry *Elf at the moment I still thought I’d crack this one out about how your language or lack of language abilities can affect your relationship. I’m fairly confident that this is never mentioned when talking about moving to France. When do they ever talk about the bitterness and resentment that stem from one person ploughing on with the language, whilst the other languishes behind on A Place In The Sun? I rest my case.

Continue reading “The Language Relationship Barriers” →
Our French Life, our relocation life

What Happens To Friendships When You Move To France?

ournormandylife

Quotefancy-1795623-3840x2160.jpg

And not just the ones you left behind but the new ones you will invariably encounter in your new life (not in the sun – I live in Normandy) here in France.

By the way, you decided to move to another country not your friends or family. They were probably perfectly happy with the status quo and perhaps bear this in mind when the dynamics of your friendships change. One of my favourite quotes is “the only thing that is certain in life is change”. This is very true but it also rings true that most do not like change one bit. Nope. Not at all. Continue reading “What Happens To Friendships When You Move To France?” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

British Bunker Supplies In France

wallace

No, I haven’t gone all Domesday Prepper on ya all! I like to accommodate blog requests and recently someone asked about the various differences with baking and other supplies here in France.  Firstly, before I start on my essential supplies in my British bunker – I should point out that France is a first world country and you can pretty much get anything you want out here. If you can’t, you’ll find someone who knows where you can, a supermarket will have a foreign/Brit section, a nifty website that will deliver or an English shop within your area. There are two near here that I know of  – one in the Manche and one in the Mayenne – across the border into the Pays De Loire. Continue reading “British Bunker Supplies In France” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

How Not To Get Fat In France

ournormandylife

almond crossiant

I had you at the title didn’t I? I think this can certainly apply to both men and women and all ages so listen up if you don’t want to be labelled the ‘fat anglais(e)” in the village. Okay so if you are planning a move to France you’ll probably think, like many before you, that the weight if you’re carrying a few extra pounds (who isn’t right?) will just fly off.

You will come to that assumption based on all the ‘running around’ you’ll be doing prior to the move and after. I always find this expression quite farcical it’s normally banded about after you’ve had a baby. People say “the weight will soon fly off what with all that running around after the baby”. Sorry what? Please show me a new mum that ran anywhere after giving birth and specifically after a baby that can’t move for the first 8 months. I digress. Continue reading “How Not To Get Fat In France” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

The Wild West Of Normandy

ournormandylife

playmobil

Now, I was initially going to write this post about the British ‘ex-pats’ in Normandy and all that goes with that. However, following on from multiple tales of burglaries and the like in this region, I feel this post has a great deal of relevance and is more than just blogging fodder.

Now with all my posts I feel I need to put a disclaimer that this is meant to be a bit light-hearted (albeit true) and it is only my experience. You may have had none of what I am about to mention and great stuff if that’s the case. However, I feel I would be doing others a disservice if I did not mention the unsavoury element of living somewhere new and in particular, here in Normandy. Once again, strap in. Continue reading “The Wild West Of Normandy” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

How’s Your French?

one flew over

How’s Your French? The amount of times I was asked that when we first arrived – I cannot begin to tell you! Invariably it was asked by someone who had very little French. Although this information was only volunteered after I had to explain my level of language ability. Like ‘French’ was a person or something, enquiring about its general health and well-being. Now funnily enough, I am of the opinion that if your French is of a poorly nature, is unwell, a bit sick then the same could be said for you as well. Continue reading “How’s Your French?” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

Top 5 Tips For Renting In France

ournormandylife

Try before you buy they always say don’t they? And prior to moving to France, I would have said nah just pick a region, google it and job done. You don’t really need to live somewhere for 6 months/one year to know a place – everything can be found on the internet. Oh, what an amateur. Yes, you can find out loads from the comfort of your own living room, prior to moving (well just about anywhere in the world) but you don’t really know a place until you’ve actually lived there. Continue reading “Top 5 Tips For Renting In France” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

Top Tips For Travelling By Car In France

ournormandylife

This article was written by me on my previous website The 1970s Diet and is so darn good and comprehensive that I have shared it for you here. Whilst this guide is written with families in mind, in particular, my friend who is travelling for the first time – I feel it’s applicable to anyone wishing to have a road trip this year.

We have been travelling to France since our eldest was 6 (he’s now 11), my youngest 4 and Buddy who was 3 months old on his first European holiday.  I have flown before when our eldest was 18 months old which was a horrific experience which I’ve written about in this post. I still cannot talk about it. It still haunts us some 10 years on! This blog post also details our very first trip to Brittany, France and how we totally under estimated the sheer size of the country compared to the UK.
Continue reading “Top Tips For Travelling By Car In France” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

The Trouble With France Forums

ournormandylife

facebook forum

Okay so gone are the days when you simple log onto Anglo Info and chose your particular region in France for research purposes. Sorry Anglo franchises the world over but it’s true. Yes, they are still a relative good source of information but nowhere near as good as the hundreds of facebook groups out there for living in France. Or any country for that matter. Continue reading “The Trouble With France Forums” →

Our French Life, our relocation life

How Will Brexit Affect You In France?

ournormandylife

brexit

Okay so if I haven’t lost you in the title then please bear with.  Unless you have been on another planet, then Brexit isn’t something you can escape hearing about, whether you like it or not. Although, living here in France, it’s far easier to get away from the constant dissecting of it and watch from afar.  Which is so liberating.  Of course, I can tap into BBC News and what not but I do feel somewhat detached from the whole process, sitting here on mainland europe and by jove it feels good! Continue reading “How Will Brexit Affect You In France?” →