letrangere

Our small and ancient Renault 5 TL Love those cars, the smaller and more ancient the better.  Also rather like the Renault 4 and you still see some around in surprisingly good nick.  Glad you mentioned cars for I dreamt last night that a friend in England persuaded me to buy a 2CV for £27,000!  It's no secret that I'm looking for one but that wasn't quite the figure I had in mind.  Dreamt the other night that I was sitting on a friend's lawn in the Lot & Garonne listening to Dominique de Villepin reading his poems.  But I'm going a bit off the thread... Incidentally, SB, I do admire your courage in mentioning the, ahem, other matter.  I remember having sleepless nights after accidentally admitting here to a spot of the old travail noir and lived in fear of hate mail for days. M

Any more literary junkies? And another!  I used to take visitors to Paris to the street in Pigalle where the laundry in Zola's, l'Assommoir, was said to be located.  (Can't remember by whom.)  I used to tell them this was far more interesting than queueing for hours to get into the Musee d'Orsay, though oddly few were convinced.  Balzac's house was another on my "sights the regular tours don't take you to".  I'd even point out the back door through which he used to escape to avoid his creditors.  Victor Hugo's house, of course, interesting but a bit run of the mill.  We've been all over the Himalayas in the footsteps of Lady Betjeman.  Down certain sections of the Ganges following after Eric Newby.  Even took his detour to Plassey where, as we all know, the English defeated the French.  This was the place his long suffering wife felt, quite understandably, was literally the limit and the ugly subject of divorce finally reared its head.  If you've ever been there, you will fully understand why.  Still, everyone has to have one big non-event in their life.  This will no doubt be it.  Back in France, are we talking about Lady Fortescue's, Perfume from Provence?  Apologies for appearing so picky but if there's another with a similar title I'd like to read that too.  Anyone remember the accustions of plagarism that flew from some quarters (presumably her relatives) when Mayle's, A Year in Provence was published?  I suppose they've given up now everyone has jumped on the bandwagon.  And talking more of Provence, have I mentioned The Magic of Provence by Yvone Lenard?  This irritated me so much I actually wrote a scathing review that I'm still toying with sending to Amazon.  Woman buys a house on last day of holiday, with only minutes to spare miraculously finds the best interior decorator for miles to renovate it, pays her huge sum of money, flies back to the States, returns a year later and voila the house of her dreams is ready and waiting so out comes the typewriter and she rattles off a book.  It's all so unlikely.  Victoria, you're right, Stevenson's, Travels with donkey has been out of print for years.  I guess I was fortunate in that someone died and left me a copy (and a first edition Lady Fortescue (could this be my pension?)).   It's a joy, isn't it?  The book, that is, not my pension... Now what am I going to read today?  M    

I believe Harrods open their Christmas section in mid-summer to catch the foreign visitors' market, though if I were a tourist looking for Christmas decs I think I'd head to the States where the choice is awesome.  There was a time when all the september editions of UK magazines used to include flyers for ordering charity Christmas cards and gifts but I haven't seen these in recent years, perhaps they appear now in the June or July edition???  Seriously, my mother would have had her Christmas cake and pudding made by now and I must say even I'm "thinking" about buying dried fruit to start soaking.  Don't all groan at once now. M

Saw a picture in our local paper yesterday of two men struggling through water almost shoulder deep in Nimes (30) and suddenly remembered it was september...  M

 You need more than a good idea, you need capital, you need to know how to market, your ideal client, where to find them and how to get them to actually do what you want them to do. My OH runs his own successful business and he spends his evenings talking to his best friend who does the same, and happens to be French.  They argue a lot, as competitive men do, but the one thing they both agree on is that neither would be prepared to invest the time, money and effort required to run a business in France.  They reckon it's like trying to win the 100m sprint with both legs tied together.  Make your money elsewhere, sell up, hide it and live happily in the French countryside on the proceeds is their philosophy.  M

Lilly, Amazon sent me a mail yesterday saying shipment would be delayed 3-5 weeks as they couldn't get hold of the book, despite the fact it said dispatched within 24 hrs when I ordered it.  I would print the recipe as I remember and prepare it but last time I did something similar here I was put through the mangle by serious cooks on the Forum who criticised my lack of accurate quantities and timing.  So I'd better not.  Though I hope someone else does.  Actually, I made the dish last Friday and the figs (probably way too many) caramelised into a stickyish gravy, which was absolutely scrummy and our own visitors commented on the heavenly smell emanating from the kitchen as they approached the house through the garden.  M  

One agent immobilier said they sold 250 houses to British people last year.  In the PM article an agent in the Limousin said he had "found his personal eldorado" when he discovered the web sites where British house hunters look and began advertising there.  80% of the properties he sold were to Brits. Miki makes an interesting observation, do you really want to spend your retirement doing a massive restoration job?  Most people enjoy a bit of decorating but if it really is a big scale project - as many are - and you haven't got previous experience or local contacts in the building trade, it must be bit of a nightmare as well as exhausting.  Add in the fact that you're living cooped up in a caravan at best or else camped out in the one habitable room.  I think it's amazing that so many couples want to do it but good on 'em if they enjoy it. M  

Does anyone here dream in French or English?  I'm famous amongst my friends for my dreams for I have almost total recall next morning and tend to share them.  I think I must be a frustrated sportswoman for I'm invariably skiing, ice skating or even flying small aeroplanes!  And they can often be in French, which isn't surprising if you spend a lot of your day speaking French surely? Guess it depends what sort of level you wish to attain in French but if your objective is to speak the language well, there comes a point where you simply must stop thinking in English if you are going to express yourself correctly. M

Note that this particular post has had 10,000+ views, isn't that a record?  Says a great deal about the topic.  M

Under the title, "Nos villages francais, sauves par les anglais?", very interesting and most positive piece in last week's Paris Match.  (Am I alone around here in reading this magazine?)  Talking about how we're all coming whether we're young or old, rich or poor, executives, craftsmen, businessmen and artists, we're heading for just about everywhere.  We're "rolling up our sleeves in dying parts of the country and giving the French a good lesson in initiative" apparently.  PM reckon there's barely a corner in France without any Brits and interviews the editor of Perigueux based French News, which has a circulation of 50,000(?), who confirms the only departement in which her English language newspaper does not have a subscriber is that of the Doubs.  Isn't that in the Vosges?  Clearly the place to head for if you want to avoid your fellow Brits.  Article says that the first British club, le Cercle Anglais, was formed in Pau in 1828.  (The place didn't surprise me but the date did.)  Another interesting stat, Abbey National France say they saw a 94% increase in the number of Brits applying for mortgages between 2000 and 2002! Finally, and I won't translate as I'm sure everyone can get the gist of it:  "Allons, Messieurs les Francais, soyez beaux jouers and sachez saluer le merite et le courage des Anglo-Saxons.  Ce sont peut-etre eux qui sauveront notre cher patrimoine.  Un peu de fair-play!" M  

But on the subject of viticulture, have you noticed how it varies from vineyard to vineyard and that terroir plays an even more important role than the weather?  In articles talking about the generally great year of 2000, certain chateaux in Bordeaux did far better than even their immediate neighbours.  Now don't quote me but I thought, for example, that the Haut Medoc fared better than St Emilion due to the effect of the heat on the limestone soil in the latter?  (Someone come to my rescue please!!!)  Whatever, it's a fascinating subject.  M

I don't even own an anorak (I'm a Barbour girl) but I'm in heaven, it's the perfect place for me to spend a Saturday morning.  Only had a quick look but can't wait to go back.  Is "quoique" really archaic?  M

In my case, although the possibility of moving was discussed for some months, I was eventually shown a contract on 21st February and with a start date of 1st March Andy, I think you must work for my husband's former employer!  He had been making the occasional business trip to Paris over the course of several months but it was only on a Thursday that he was told he would be required there permanently from the following Monday.  However, my current employer is more humain and we always insist on the whole family coming on a company paid "look see" visit no matter where they're moving to in the world.  This enables them to check out homes, schools, shops, etc. and get a feel for the place.  Not perfect but it's better than moving blind. TU, why not France alone as a woman?  I have several British friends who live permanently - one in quite a rural location, though she works - on their own and we have a number on the Forum.  Managing on your own is the most important thing surely?  If you have the right approach you'll get on and fit in anywhere.  In quieter parts, eyebrows may be raised at first but I would argue there's generally little social stigma attached to this.  I was in Paris on my own for long periods of time and, as we've discussed here before, fear that inevitably I may be on my own permanently if OH goes before me. M

I suspect that it won't be long before some undergrad or graduate chooses the subject as his/her thesis - It would make a good book! (and there's plenty of material on this forum) Victoria, we know of one man who already has, a post-grad at the University of Bordeaux.  He posted here some time ago with an interesting questionnaire asking a wide range of questions including level of education, language ability, previous experience of living abroad, why France, etc.  Shame we can't read the end result.  Sorry, TU, can't agree that "pioneers" were romantic figures.  We were living in Aus at the time of bi-centennial celebrations and one thing that came across so clearly out of all the media coverage and retrospectives was just how wretched life was for the first few generations. There's an extraordinary painting by Fred McCubbin in the main gallery in Perth entitled "Down on his luck" that sums it all up.  My goodness you can see the despair in this poor old pioneer's face.  Can't imagine even running an ailing gite complex in the back of beyond could have that effect on anyone today.  And sincerely hope it doesn't. I realise Sikh Nippy's venture in the Ardeche didn't take off (or was that Nigel's fault?) but in general Asians make a success of their businesses wherever they go in the world be it the UK, East Africa, North America, the Middle East, the list is endless.  They simply have what it takes. M  

With the possible exception of persecution, you never really escape anything by moving abroad, it's the worst reason on earth to leave.  But I like the introduction of this "pioneer spirit" idea, that's really got me thinking.  Are there parallels between Brits moving to France today and those who decided to start a new life in Australia or America centuries ago?  Many of them were certainly escaping and the first few generations of settlers had an extremely tough time.  Interesting idea, something to mull over.  M

Like Pangur, I find it very strange that people - especially those on an already tight budget, with a family, no local language skills and no job - suddenly sell up in the UK and move to anywhere, let alone the depths of rural France.  It just doesn't add up.  It's going to be nigh on impossible to find work, and not much easier to find a French teacher or affordable classes to learn the language.  So if you do fall into this category, it's even crazier to take on the commitment of buying your own home.  For when, as is quite likely, you decide the French experience isn't for you, your options are so limited for it's not even as if you can bail out quickly.  Those who've purchased in the last few years during the craze to move to France probably don't realise how long it normally takes to sell a house, and we're already seeing a return to places being on the market for 6-12 months or longer. Also, how many of us have raced around in our limited vacation trying to view as many houses as possible in the short time available?  Unless we're very fortunate, we've every chance of buying something that later turns out to be quite unsuitable and not at all what or where we really wanted.  Buying a house is the biggest purchase any of us ever makes, so surely it's better to take our time over it?  I agree with Andy though that those who have already lived abroad for a reasonable period of time probably have a better chance of making a success of things.  If nothing else they'll approach the move with a confident, positive attitude knowing that they've survived in worse places. M

What I have found in the three years since being back is its amazing how much of the stress was due to myself What an incredibly helpful post.  Neil I think I remember you from before, were you in 47?  And what you say about stress is so true.  On the verge of cracking up some years ago I took myself off to stress management classes, sounds ludicrous and cost a bomb but it honestly changed my life.  For it made me realise it wasn't what I was physically doing that was creating the stress, it was my approach to everything that was causing the problems.  Learn to take a more laid back attitude, recognise the best in wherever you are, stop aiming for perfection all the time (my greatest sin) and it's amazing how much nicer life becomes.  M

Julie, how very useful.  The only one I've seen is the relatively well known Champs Elysees, I was sent a free issue some years back.  Fully agree that it has a strong leaning towards French art and culture, which personally I enjoyed enormously.  I'm fluent and the edition I saw was aimed at an upper intermediate level learner but is it also available for elementary level students of French?  I only received the magazine, no accompanying tape or CD but would be interested to hear how they interacted.  M

 On another note, did you watch that freak Marseille-La Corogne game last week on French TV (3 players sent off, 14 cards, 1-1 at H/T, 5-1 at the end, etc.), what a cracker ! My interest in football is, I'm afraid, normally restricted to noting PSG results as so many friends and colleagues follow the team it's useful to keep abreast of how they're playing.  But the Marseille match sounded like good entertainment.  Miki is far too polite to mention this but I'm sure he remembers how I once joined a thread discussing an autobiography of Zola assuming, quite understandably as I knew of no other, that we were talking about the writer, Emile...  M

PSG till I die Weren't they unlucky against Nice?  You know, I love their shirts, they remind me of my old school blazer.  M

SB I love you to bits and would never for a moment doubt a word you say (with the exception of the relative ease of learning German) but a kind visitor from UK brought me a magazine called Channel 4 Everything France, and on page 103 of - what I assume is - the latest edition, although there's no month mentioned on the cover - is an article entitled, "Why Brits live in...Montpellier".   "What made you choose Montpellier?"  Sunny environment, dynamic city, close to coast and countryside.  University, cinemas, theatres, two opera houses (really, SB, is there a resident company?), Olympic-size swimming pool. "What's the weather like?"  Marvellous, most of the time. "What's the Herault's chief attraction?"  Climate, coast and countryside combined with employment opportunities of rapidly expanding university town.  Olive groves, lavender fields, vine-clad hills and sun-baked beaches, well connected, Paris 4 hrs via TGV, Barcelona by autoroute same. "What the property market like at the moment?"  Booming as so many people want to live, work or study here. "How much would I need to buy a house?"  A 2 or 3 b/r within communit distance of Montpellier Euros 210,000-280,000.  Double would buy imposing maison de maitre.  (Are those prices right.) The couple have lived in a city centre apartment for 3 years.  He's an artist.  The reality is obviously always different but you can see the initial attraction of the place, at least on paper.  I would have thought the worst aspect to living there was the possibility of acquiring that dreadful accent!  M  

Graham, that's right, the price on the back of the door is what hoteliers call the "rack rate", it's always the highest and it is often possible to negotiate a better deal, sometimes a lot better. I'm sure French law must say something about displaying room prices and always assumed that's why they were on backs of doors.  Would be ideal if they could advertise outside, as with restaurant menus (isn't that also a statutory requirement?), but as many French hotels have rooms of various sizes and quality, I don't suppose they can do a "one price fits all" deal. I think the poster was very decent in paying up.  If it had been me, I'd still be there now arguing. M

Do tell us more about the news item, TU.  M

That was fun.  What a young Frenchwoman would wear was the trickiest for me.  M

Nice to have our Frenchman back and the genuine article too, ie one that takes 5 weeks' holiday all at one stretch including most of August!  Such a civilised tradition.  M