Five go to Normandy (and then there were 4!) France on a one-way ticket?
Nope. Sometimes you think you have it all sussed. You think you know what a country is all about and feel quite the smug immigrant. Then something happens and it suddenly occurs to you that you didn’t get the memo on that one. Or the one before that, the one after and the one before that. I feel I have missed quite a few memos since my arrival here in Normandy, France. Continue reading “Dear France, Sorry I didn’t Get The Memo!”
Okay as we’ve established I am not fluent in French. I’m getting there. I try really hard. Like really hard. Everyday. This photo clip from Modern Family really sums it up when Gloria screams at Jay how it feels “to have people laugh in my face because I’m struggling to find the words.” Here it’s a more screwed up face and a physical recoiling of the body simultaneously. Oh gawd. That face. The French face of “I haven’t a fucking clue what you are saying to me and in no way am I going to disguise my facial features to this fact.”
Asides from your mental sanity? A Lot! I jest of course, I jest. Everything is awesome. She says rocking from side to side gazing at the ‘wonderful view’. And isn’t that just it. You cannot live off a view. You cannot live off the land and you cannot live off a dilapidated barn that you are freezing your tits off come summer and winter. Continue reading “What Is The Cost Of Living In France?”
Firstly you’re welcome! When I first arrived on Normandy soil I found that some English speakers could be a little, how shall we say, secretive about various aspects of living in France. I suppose people would think that if they had to experience hardship, then others should suffer the same fate. We never expected anyone to do anything for us and we did work out stuff for ourselves. My French is okay – this is because I was launched into phoning various organisations rather than ask someone else to do it. Clearly if it was very technical or out of my depth I would pay someone. You always need to weigh up time, effort and money. I also had friends who helped me out in some sticky situations. Continue reading “How To Avail Of Intensive French Lessons”
Guess what? Did you know that France is the only country in the world where you can retire at the ripe old age of mid forties? And if you’re a bit unfortunate it’s late fifties?! I’m just kidding with you. Of course France isn’t the only country in the world where you can retire to at this age! What were/are are you even thinking about?! Have you actually lost your mind?! Continue reading “How To Get A Job In Normandy, France”
Did I have you at arse or neck? I’ve gone right off the rails with the language haven’t I. Actually, I think I would be doing you all a disservice if I didn’t explain the difference between these two words in French. You’re welcome. They sound no different in my Brit opinion but then my accent, at times, can be atrocious. I particularly struggle with a word which has an unacceptable amount of vowels in it – that includes the letter ‘y’ as guess what? The French consider this to be a vowel. I can often see the word in my head, I want to put my hand up like I’m in some imaginary game show and say “oh I know it, I know it!” !”it’s X or sounds like…..” Cue the crumpled up face of the recipient. Continue reading “Do You Know Your Arse From Your Neck?”
Okay so following on from my post on being ram raided, I have discovered that there are many of you, Normandy Lifers, that this is old news. This is talk to the hand. If you missed this exciting, enthralling tale of living the good life, then you can read it here.
After my first brush with car parking French style – I happened to mention it on a Normandy forum. It was at this point, I had to question where on earth I had been for nearly 2 years? Why hadn’t it crossed my mind that my car was not in anyway safe in a supermarket car park – or any other car park for that matter. Continue reading “Tales Of Ram Raids In French Car Parks”
Our Normandy Life 