La Fête des Voisins

Last Saturday we were invited to a neighourbood get together La Fête des Voisins which literally means neighbourhood party. This is a traditional get together which takes place all across France albeit later in May generally. When living in Lyon, this was the type of get together that I’d watch on the television but never [...]

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License to kill? Danger on French roads.

One of the most annoying things I find about driving in France is the fact that you don’t actually need to have a driving license to be on the road. “What?!” I hear you say. Well, if you want to drive a normal car and actually get anywhere in a normal time then yes, you [...]

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Fancy French Hospital Food

Mention France to anyone and more than likely they will think of French cuisine. The French are renowned for their excellent food and for the important role that food and meal times play in their culture and that is something that I have really come to appreciate. After years of learning and appreciating the importance [...]

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Système Débrouille

In France there is a lovely term for finding temporary measures or for saving money on stuff known as “système débrouille”. I couldn’t find an exact definition of the expression but we recently experienced it in our own unique way. As you know, we have been suffering from heating problems due to the extreme cold [...]

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Never believe anything’s impossible! A lesson learned in La Poste.

I’ve had many frustrating run-ins with the La Poste (post office) as I am sure most people living in France and many other countries have experienced also, but the lack of consistency in service and unhelpfulness in France is second to none. Until yesterday. I had ordered some items online from Amazon and like a [...]

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How French Internet companies are driving me mad

So this is a rant. It’s been a while and I’ve been keeping my rantiness to myself, but my patience has come to the end of it’s tether with some French internet companies. As a new Mum, buying online should be an easy way of getting the things I need, delivered to my new rural [...]

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Day Trip to Annecy

The great thing about where we live now is the easy accessibility to many places of interest including Annecy. I had never been to Annecy before and had heard great things. I know there is quite an expat community there and normally expats are drawn to touristy type places. Even my Mum (Grandma Piglet) knew [...]

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Still in limbo! Baby Piglet & House Updates

Little Miss Piglet The clock is ticking and Little Miss Piglet could be here any day soon! I’m in full blown nesting mode which is really hard when you’re not in your own home. I have re-arranged parts of the in-laws house, scrubbed the floors and the bathrooms, dragged Mr Piglet to IKEA at 8am [...]

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Living in Limbo

Mr Piglet and I wish to thank you all for your kind words and support following my post yesterday. We are overwhelmed by the number of messages of support and advice that we have received here, on twitter and via email. Really, it is wonderful to know that you are all there and that good [...]

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What happened on Friday: why we’re not going to be able to buy our home

Our bad luck has continued and words have betrayed me ever since the latest news in the house saga came in on Friday morning. Since the bad news came in, I have not been able to stop crying, teary fits of hysteria have become common place and I feel like a butterfly floating around with [...]

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