The write stuff ..

Well, there's a first! I went to a creative writing workshop this morning, where I was urged to put down a few words as often as I could.
Hang on, that's like writing a  ..

Anyway, in a blatant plug (Now there's a first, Martin) I wanted to show you these photographs. They're from back in the summer and one of the first shoots I did in my new French studio. I've not been able to say anything until now as the pictures were part of a surprise gift to the parents. I'm so pleased with how the studio is working, and delighted with the results I'm getting. Of course, it does help that I was working with two of the most charming little sisters in the whole of Paris. I've now done eight family portrait sessions and was asked last week to book in another one. I was also asked if I could photograph another Wedding next summer. Woohoo ..

Chapter two

 It was a dark and stormy night and, as the wind blew against the  ..

Sorry, just getting in a little writing practice ..
 

Living our dream ..

"Do you fancy living in France?" ..

I couldn't believe it when Lesley asked me that. France? Why would I want to go and live in France? How boring would that be? "Well, I've been looking at houses" she said. "Why don't we just go and visit for a week?

And now we've lived here for a year!

I can't tell you how great it feels to say that. Our first anniversary. Bugger me, we've done it! ..

Yes, a year ago today Lesley and I were making our way down from Calais in a little two-car convoy, both vehicles stuffed to the hilt with books, pans and cocker spaniels. A year on, and we feel completely at home. What we couldn't know as we drove down was that, not only did we buy a house that's perfect for us, but we chose one in a most amazing area. The countryside's fantastic and the people here are brilliant. We've made so many new friends - both French and English .. oh, and American (Hi, Arthur!) - and everybody has been so helpful as we've knuckled down to setting up home here ..

And so much else has happened, too ..

It's great to know what a full four seasons can throw at you over here, having experienced a winter that hit a low of minus seventeen and a scorching summer that seems to have gone on forever. We've had storms that have made the gîte roof leak, followed by a really busy season full of guests. We've converted our garden from a big patch of nothing into a plot with flower beds, hens and sweet corn; we've celebrated a Christmas without commercialism and brought in New Year at a party with pea-shooters (great fun); we've had dinner with the mayor and so many fun nights at our village bar that we've lost count; we've seen chateaux, been canoeing, watched the fields of sunflowers come and go and become contributors to our local monthly magazine. We've both got into the tax and health systems and are picking up more of the lingo every day. Lesley, in fact, is practically fluent and even sings in French at one of the three choirs she's joined. Or is it four? Can't keep count. I know she works at the library and never seems to stop baking and cooking now she has the time. I've put my hand to DIY, and realised I'm quite a dab hand at laying flooring. I've opened a photography studio, written my second book and even shot a wedding here. I cycle practically every day, and our walks around this beautiful countryside are bliss. And did I mention the friends? Our lovely, lovely friends ..

Anyway, can't sit around. I've got window-shutters to paint and a shed roof to repair. I also need to get ready for a slide-show I'm giving on Friday night. Then we're playing croquet with friends this afternoon and we need to get down to catch an annual week-long photography exhibition before it closes on Sunday. We've been invited to a 'do' on Saturday, and on Sunday we're throwing our own little bash to mark this 'momentous occasion ..

Boring it ain't and yes, Lesley, I do fancy living in France. So, let's do another year, and then another, and then another. Living the dream. Lesley's dream? ..

OUR dream!..

    

Sunflower fall ..

The weather always seems to change, right on cue, as August comes to an end. It's like a switch. And even though the thermometer will hit the high 80s again today, it's somehow a different heat - a less fierce, cooler heat! In England I would now be looking at my garden and noticing subtle changes in leaves, and seeds bulging from flowers gone over but, from now on, I'll forever associate the beginning of Autumn with the end of the sunflower season in France. All around are fields and fields of sunflowers  - or, at least, the blackened, shrivelled husks of a former summer splendour - all with their heads hung low as if in sadness at the loss of their looks. And now the farmers are moving in to chop off their heads. It's a hard life. See you next year, you beauties ..

Ps: Right on cue, the farmer cut down the flowers in the field right next to our gîte. The flowers seem to be bowing in submission. I'm reading too much into this. More gin, vicar?

I ain't going nowhere ..

We're in the middle of La Rentrée - the big return to school and work - and, as everyone heads home again, we in the countryside get a sense of things definitely quietening down after the summer. There are certainly fewer English-registered cars in the supermarket car park and Facebook is filling up with posts - already nostalgic - as people look back on their holidays in France ..

Today marks two years to the day that we first set eyes on what was to become our new home and it is as hot here now as it was on that already distant day - the grass as brown, the sun as bright. We were to have many a 'rentrée'  of our own over the following year as we worked to set up home; lots of heart-wrenching 'goodbyes' as we set off for England after brief snatched stays here, but now we have the most wonderful feeling to know that we are going nowhere. We are staying put. We live here. We can have as much France as we want. It is wonderful ..