Tag Archives: Expat

A Question of Accent

Posted on 18/05/2015 by

  I speak French with an English accent. Try as I might, I can’t get rid of it, even though my French is now pretty fluent after 18 years here. As soon as I open my mouth, I give myself … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Language | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Little Free Library Inaugurated at Saint-Antonin

Posted on 10/01/2015 by

  So many words have poured out in the past few days, and no doubt will continue to do so, about the horrific events in Paris this week. I can’t add anything to them that isn’t trite or obvious. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, French life, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

New Literary Magazine from Ex-pat Writing Group Writers Abroad

Posted on 15/09/2014 by

The online writing community for ex-pats that I belong to, Writers Abroad, published the first issue of its new literary magazine on 1st September. It’s packed full of interesting stuff and it’s absolutely free.

Posted in Books/writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

17 Years in France: What’s Changed Since 1997?

Posted on 27/08/2014 by

Well, I’m 17 years older. And I don’t want to think about how old I will be in 17 years’ time. So let’s look back instead and think about what’s changed here since 1997. Yesterday was the anniversary of the … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Keeping Your Ear to the Ground in Rural France

Posted on 10/01/2014 by

  A reader recently bemoaned the fact that they had not heard in advance about an event on which I reported. I sympathise. Keeping up with what’s going on is not easy and, dare I say it, the French aren’t … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Top tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

An Opportunity to Meet French Schoolchildren

Posted on 18/12/2013 by

We attended a rather nice event last Friday at a school in Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Le Lycée Beauregard, a secondary school, invited local English speakers to meet the students and talk to them – in English.

Posted in French life, Language | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Trip to Planet London

Posted on 09/12/2013 by

  I am becoming a country bumpkin. No; not becoming – have become. This was quite clear during a recent short trip to London. I haven’t been there for a while and noticed some changes.

Posted in French life, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Next Big Thing – Writers Abroad’s Latest Anthology

Posted on 16/10/2013 by

Every year since 2010, the online writing group for expat writers to which I belong – Writers Abroad – has published an anthology. Since we are spread across the globe and all the work is carried out online, this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ex-Pat Writers – Contribute to a New Anthology

Posted on 01/05/2013 by

Originally posted on Vanessa Couchman:
The online ex-pat writers’ group, Writers Abroad, of which I’m a member, will be publishing its fourth anthology this year, with the working title of Far Flung and Foreign. We are looking for other ex-pat…

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Foreign Encounters, a New Anthology from Writers Abroad

Posted on 24/10/2012 by

Writers Abroad, the online writing group for ex-pat writers I belong to, is publishing a new anthology today, entitled Foreign Encounters. It contains short stories, non-fiction and poems by writers who are, or have been, ex-pats. They live in, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, World War I & II | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Moving to France – a Cautionary Tale

Posted on 10/10/2012 by

Life in France is wonderful, isn’t it? Well, up to a point. If you come with certain preconceived ideas you are bound to be disappointed. I just want to tell you a story I heard today, which underlines all the … Continue reading →

Posted in French life | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Opportunity to Contribute to a New Expat Anthology

Posted on 03/05/2012 by

My online, expat writers’ group, Writers Abroad, will be publishing its third anthology this year, Foreign Encounters. We are seeking submissions of short stories, non-fiction pieces and poetry on the general theme of relationships around the world. Contributors must be … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, French life | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Who Won the Blog Hop Book?

Posted on 27/04/2012 by

Just a short post today to say thank you to everyone who joined in the blog hop last Monday, organised by Steph at Blog in France . I enjoyed reading some new (to me) blogs and ‘meeting’ other bloggers and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, French life | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Why Living in France is Like Marriage

Posted on 23/04/2012 by

This post was first written as a contribution to a blog hop in which I took part in 2012.  Dr Johnson once described second marriage as, “The triumph of hope over experience.” Moving to France after falling out of love … Continue reading →

Posted in French life | Tagged , , , , | 54 Comments

A reminder about the Writers Abroad anthology

Posted on 22/09/2010 by

Just a reminder that you have about three weeks to submit a fictional short story to Writers Abroad for publication in an anthology of the same name, to be published in support of UK National Short Story Week (NSSW). You … Continue reading →

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Calling expat (and former expat) writers

Posted on 24/07/2010 by

Writer’s Abroad anthology now closed to submissions. Thanks to all who submitted a story. Results on the Writers Abroad site. Publication around 20th November 2010. Are you an expat (or have you been one)? Are you also a writer? If … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, French life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Virtual friends

Posted on 06/06/2010 by

Writers Abroad is a virtual network for expat writers and demonstrates the power of the Internet in bringing like-minded people together. Continue reading →

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Websites about living in France that I like

Posted on 16/05/2010 by

This post lists some websites that include networks, forums and practical information about France for expats or those thinking of moving abroad. Some are specifically aimed at Brits, others are aimed at expats generally.

Posted in French life, Top tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Surviving in France: 10 top tips

Posted on 13/04/2010 by

Living in France is very different from spending a couple of weeks on holiday here. Here are some commonsense tips to help you get the most out of living in France. Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Language, Top tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Maybe la chasse isn’t such a bad thing…

Posted on 28/02/2010 by

Went outside this morning to check on any damage after the 120km/hour tempest last night. Fortunately, nothing to report except a few sticks down. What I did find, though, was that the deer had, yet again, made a meal out … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Votes for expats?

Posted on 22/02/2010 by

As an expat in France you have to get used to being a 2nd-class citizen in a very important respect – voting.

Posted in French life, Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Writers need to get out more

Posted on 17/02/2010 by

Writers are solitary creatures – especially if, like me, they live at the end of a lane in the back of beyond.  It’s tempting just to stay glued to the computer in your freezing garret (well, it’s not exactly a … Continue reading →

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Going live

Posted on 14/02/2010 by

I’ve done it!! My own blog.  Perhaps I should have entitled it ‘A writer’s little’.  The fact is, the profession is poorly paid, frustrating and lonely.  But it’s also exhilarating, fun and rewarding in other ways.

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