[rynd2it]

One year ago today we arrived in Brittany to begin a new life.

To say things have not gone exactly as planned would be an understatement BUT all of our problems have been caused by our choice of house and underestimation of the time, money & effort it is costing to renovate. A lesson in setting goals and priorities appropriately.

Everything else has been great, food & wine, people, health care, friends and new friends, we have even manged to deal with all the officialdom and bureacracy on an even keel. This in particular is due to the extensive advice I found on this forum about how to deal with officials - never tell them what you want, ask their advice on how to achieve it; ask loads of questions and always begin the conversation in French no matter how bad. Good advice.

The weather could be better, it is better than the UK but a big contrast to California, but we knew that before we came. It does have a bigger impact on life than we thought though - 20 years of living in a dry sunny climate conditions you in many subtle ways.

Here's to the next years

 

[Bevdeforges]

Congratulations! You've survived. (Not everyone does - plenty of expat wannabees are planning on packing their bags and going home by the end of the first year.)

Just one comment on your remarks:

BUT all of our problems have been caused by our choice of house and underestimation of the time, money & effort it is costing to renovate. A lesson in setting goals and priorities appropriately.

Just wanted to add that it's also a lesson in trying to apply the good ol' American goal oriented approach and time planning methods to France, which moves entirely at its own tempo. But heck, you're retired now. It's probably good for you to learn how to slow down a bit and enjoy life.

Anyhow - congrats on passing the one year milestone in reasonably good form.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[rynd2it]

Congratulations! You've survived. (Not everyone does - plenty of expat wannabees are planning on packing their bags and going home by the end of the first year.)

Just one comment on your remarks:


Just wanted to add that it's also a lesson in trying to apply the good ol' American goal oriented approach and time planning methods to France, which moves entirely at its own tempo. But heck, you're retired now. It's probably good for you to learn how to slow down a bit and enjoy life.

Anyhow - congrats on passing the one year milestone in reasonably good form.
Cheers,
Bev

Thanks Bev,

You and many others here have kept us (relatively) sane - it's good to know we are not alone Today was good - we had a brilliant lunch overlooking the Golfe du Morbihan and reassessed our fortunes. We like it here!

As far as slowing down is concerned we can't wait - but the house ain't done yet!

Cheers

 

[dave71us]

One year ago today we arrived in Brittany to begin a new life.

To say things have not gone exactly as planned would be an understatement BUT all of our problems have been caused by our choice of house and underestimation of the time, money & effort it is costing to renovate. A lesson in setting goals and priorities appropriately.

Everything else has been great, food & wine, people, health care, friends and new friends, we have even manged to deal with all the officialdom and bureacracy on an even keel. This in particular is due to the extensive advice I found on this forum about how to deal with officials - never tell them what you want, ask their advice on how to achieve it; ask loads of questions and always begin the conversation in French no matter how bad. Good advice.

The weather could be better, it is better than the UK but a big contrast to California, but we knew that before we came. It does have a bigger impact on life than we thought though - 20 years of living in a dry sunny climate conditions you in many subtle ways.

Here's to the next years

Cool blog!
Can't wait to visit Bretagne again!

D.