Gites South Brittany

Having heard the news that "ADSL" (Broadband) had finally reached our corner of France (having been available in nearby Nivillac (west) and St. Dolay (east) for over 2 years!) we became really excited and signed up straight away.

The reality, however, at the moment is that it's a miracle that I am able to write this "post" at all, as we have had nothing but problems - no phone, no e-mail and no internet access one day, phone and e-mail but no internet another ..... - since the big "switch over" day just over 2 weeks ago. When it does work, the whole system is slower than the old dial-up. If it weren't for the fact that we rely upon the web and e-mail system for over 90% of our bookings for the gîtes, I would quite happily go without the lot of it!

In theory, the package is really good - unlimited calls (incl. 40 countries) and broadband access for just 35 €/month. When it works it's brilliant - like everything technical! Watch this space. We shall be calling the customer service line shortly, but don't expect to get any joy - this is France!

When you stop to think, though, that only 30 years ago (in the 1970's) our neighbours were excited at the prospect of another new-fangled technical arrival - RUNNING WATER !!!! - it puts it all into perspective.

I suppose that being able to sit here typing and look out of the window to see a Hen Harrier quartering the field only about 20 yards away, or a Cirl Bunting huddling in the oak tree only 30 feet away makes it all worth while. It makes you realise what is really important.

So I'll take a deep breath of that wonderful country air and take the dogs for a walk along the river and count my blessings - after all that's the life we came out here to find. If you decide to take the plunge and move to France, just remember one thing - it is not the UK - life is so slow here, it's almost at standstill, but if you can go with the flow and enjoy it then you will reap the benefits and never regret your decision!

Time flies by when you're having fun!!! Two months since I last made an entry! Christmas came and went as did the New Year celebrations - talking of which, Happy New Year in French is "Bonne Année", but the French aren't content with leaving things there. Obviously, the obligatory kiss or four on the cheeks is added, but also a whole list of other wishes which appear to be a sort of sacred ritual not to be rushed. They add "Bonne santé" (good health), to which the required response is "Ah, oui, surtout bonne santé!" (Yes, above all, good health"), followed by "Oui, c'est la plus important!" (I'll leave you to work that bit out!!!) and then, "Plein de bonnes choses." (basically everything you could wish for - literally "Lots of good things".) and it goes on and on and ......! It takes about an hour to get a few metres down the road!!!!!

I jest, but it is nice the way that the French take their greetings seriously and especially nice for us, as it makes us feel part of the community. We were invited to a "do" at the local community centre the other day - known as "Les voeux du Maire" (The Mayors wishes for the New Year). This involved a huge amount of queueing at the door as the Maire himself greeted everyone personally (over 200 people) - which involved kisses and the above list of wishes to each and every one. This was followed by a speech by the Mayor and a visiting MP - the usual résumé of the year gone by and info about the projects for the New Year. After this we all gathered around a huge table filled with kir, wine, fruit juices and canapés. The drink flowed and we chatted to all the people we know and met some others. As I have said, we do know a large number of people and this is because we make a big effort to attend such events and to get out and about and introduce ourselves. Having lived in a fairly impersonal, typical English suburb for all our married life, we really value this opportunity to feel that we are part of the community.

Harry and the girls (our dogs) continue to be best of friends. Harry is now allowed out in the garden, but he wears a harness and is attached to a long line - supervised of course. He is now 5 months old and fully vaccinated. We will have him neutered next month and then will consider letting him roam a bit more freely - the hope is that he will be so used to sticking around the place that he will not look to go far. He has a detachable collar with a bell to warn any wildlife that he is around, but to avoid any injury to him should he get stuck in a tree.

I am continuing to enjoy my teaching - the lovely thing in French primary schools, is that the children call all their teachers, including the Head, by their first name an address them as "tu". If I arrive during playtime I am always descended upon by the children, who give kisses to greet me - totally natural to them, if a bit time-consuming!

As for our holiday lets (gites), the bookings are coming in thick and fast for this year already and we are busy doing some up-grading. We also are now the proud holders of "1 Clé" (1 Key) with Clévacances - an organisation which grades holiday properties - a bit like the RAC. This is something that is recognised, even looked for, by the French when they are booking a property and so is very important to us.

I have also been to several meetings with the Office de Tourisme as they are evolving and looking to form a committee involving local service providers linked with the tourism industry in the area. I always say that you can't complain that things haven't been done the way you wish, unless you are prepared to get involved!!