vickybear Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 ....and I'd applaud too if I wasn't so busy creating.........It's been a good week so far [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Can't wait to see the results, WVW. I'm expecting something like the Venus de Milo but without any bits dropping off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 I hope you two realize, that if anyone isn't following the Mr Potato Head, thread - they will now wondering what you two are up too!! [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Jude says she sometimes thinks my bits dropped off ages ago ... it's only 'cos I'm tired, honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 [quote user="Cassis"]Jude says she sometimes thinks my bits dropped off ages ago ... it's only 'cos I'm tired, honest.[/quote]More information, than we needed!! [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pun Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 You dont say what dept your in,If your any place near 23, theres always a smile and a drink on offer along with a chat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickybear Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 Who are you inviting? You're not very specific, you know you could end up with the whole Forum turning up if you're not careful. I'm in Charente. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llantony Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Maggi wrote: "I may be strange but I don't actually want to be retired" - the same Maggi who said to me 'why don't you just sell up and come to France full time?' ! We haven't yet, tho OH is very keen. Much as I love being in France for holidays and never want to come home, I do worry I could be bored not having a focus. I don't want to sit around in bars complaining about France and the French - like some I know - and the winter could be very dull. I don't want to spend years renovating a house. But I do long for the time I don't need to set the alarm 5 days a week....I didn't contact you this summer Maggi - I thought you'd be too busy with the chambres d'hote.Maz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Having been here for just three months I am worrying that I am never going to find anyone of a like mind to interact with. I adored theatre and music when in the UK and played a big part in local theatre. My husband is away for the main part of the week so I am trying to find someone to be a pal to or just have as a friend to chat with occasionally. I am a very social animal and would welcome anyone who is of a like mind. I love my garden and my dogs, but their conversation is very limited as are my efforts to speak french to my elderly neighbours. I am in between Dinan and Rennes. Anyone out there????? Cassie H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerise Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 Hi MazThat'll be me - but not suggesting that you retire even if you move to France!! I don't want to be retired and that can be a problem as the French do want to retire young on the whole and (in this area) still have a fairly sedentary mentality which doesn't suit me. You love your French house and you are both full of projects so if you could afford to do it I reckon you would be happy.We have been VERY busy and haven't even phoned my poor mum let alone anyone else. Will be in touch as soon as it calms down a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 [quote user="cassie"]Having been here for just three months I am worrying that I am never going to find anyone of a like mind to interact with.[/quote]3 months is not very long (12 weeks). Personally I prefer have fewer good friends rather than loads of casual acquaintances. When new to an area I have always found it takes a fair time to settle-in, to find out what is going on and where, what is best, where, etc.One thing I have found in my area is that there are loads of clubs for a wide range of activities. Some things I thought were not really happening here I am only now discovering actually do (after 3 years). One thing I have found is that around me and compared to the UK a lot of activity clubs seem smaller and more local. There are more of them than in the UK and they are thus smaller and more locally based.How easy it will be to join in different activities will probably depend on how good your language skills are. However, even with poor language capabilities, I have found most French people are very welcoming. You do need to "get out there". I'm sure there are "like minded" people around and its just a question of meeting them. For example, join a dog club. Most meet twice (or more) each week - agility, flyball, obedience (bit of everything). Normally they have a Sat afternoon meeting which (depending on the club) is more about people spending a social afternoon with their dogs and maybe doing a bit of training. Maybe you will meet like minded people, maybe not but either way it should be fun.Another thing I have noticed is that a lot of clubs and organisations do not always regard having a web site are high on their priorities. Some do but a lot do not. Often they are not listed in the white/yellow pages and thus can be difficult to find. Sometimes the local Marie will have info about very local clubs, sometimes they might be listed on your Conseil Général departmental web site. If there is a national controlling organisation for an activity then sometimes their web site will list local affiliated organisations, etc.I assume you are looking for local people and NOT local Brits.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalpa Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 [quote user="cassie"]I adored theatre and music when in the UK and played a big part in local theatre. My husband is away for the main part of the week so I am trying to find someone to be a pal to or just have as a friend to chat with occasionally. I am a very social animal and would welcome anyone who is of a like mind. [/quote][quote user="Deimos"]I assume you are looking for local people and NOT local Brits.[/quote]Ian, it may be different for men! [:D] I know what you are saying butin the 2-and-a-bit years I've been here, the only women I've felt aninstant connection to and with whom we've covered about 10 subjects indepth and 20 more in passing within the first 15 minutes ofmeeting have been British. I find (after only 2+ years here, I admit)the majority of the French women Ihave met are just not on the same wavelength as me. (Obligatoryqualifier: and why should they be! [:D]) I've met some very nice peopleand we have coffee, and chat in shops, and if we could help them wewould and if we needed their assistance, it would be instantlyforthcoming, but that's relatively superficial and not the point I think Cassie's making.Language limitations are obviously highly relevant but so is the different culture. I know it's probably because I'm in very rural, agricultural France rather than a city, but I find many of thewomen in my circle so far are quite restricted in their attitudes,interests and expectations and to be blunt,experience of life outside their family. I'm not criticising them justanalysing and stating the differences. I'msure if I joined a dog agility club (in which case my 12 year old labwould probably report me for cruelty [6]) there would be plenty of peopleI'd get on with on the basis of a shared interest in dogs but on a moregeneral level, I don't think I'd make the enduring friendships thatI've taken for granted previously.So what I'm really saying, Ian, is I don't think one should dismiss thedesirability of looking for friends of one's own nationality, if indeed that's what you were saying. Cassie -you are identifying something I've come to recognise and I think it issomething that is not realised until someone actually moves. I alsothink it applies more to women than men because of the way we're wiredto communicate. Though men like Cassis are the exception that proves the rule. [:-))][:D] It does rather highlight, I think, why so many peoplespend so much time on these forums: it can replace the sort of easysocial interaction and discussion that we miss in "real" French life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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