Get used to life in a tiny French village

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We experience the simple life in a tiny French village, the perfect intermediary between the high -altitude flights of travel and the daily challenges of urban life

Certain connotations are associated with country life. It is either bourgeois and boring (if you accept it) or isolated and provincial (if you have been born in). Five years ago, the thought would have worried me to spend several months in a tiny French village with nothing other than a bakery and a corner shop.

After a year on the way, however, it seemed to be the perfect agent between the height flights of travel and the challenges of city life. And so after a fleeting visit at home we grabbed our suitcases and moved to France for a few months.

Adaptation to life in our tiny French village was easier than I feared. There are fewer people here, less noise, less pollution and better food. I love London, but Saint Jouin de Marnes gave an insight into the simple life - probably a better life. We did the following in our first month.

Waked up with this view

Every morning we wake up over the village.

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Compare it with this picture that I recorded from my balcony in London in August 2014, one day before we set off on our world tour. Good weather makes a difference.

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I got used to the morning boulanger run

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in London is fresh, still warm bread. Here it is a normal. In fact, a bakery cannot call itself a bakery (or boulangerie), unless it makes her bread from scratch. We are also told that the access of the villagers to bread is required by law.

more pastries eaten than recommended

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These things are like heaven in a box. Peter likes the mocha, but I prefer chocolate. We try to limit ourselves to one week, but last week we had four.

went for long trips over yellow fields

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I only learned real cycling during our one -year absence. The country roads of Saint Jouin de Marnes gave me the opportunity to drive next to the traffic, practice the signaling and improve general awareness without putting my life on the streets of London.

gifts found on our windowsill

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Madame Broad lives west of us and Patrick and Sylvie east. They often leave us gifts on the windowsill. We had apricots, pears, sharp apple sauce and even two huge pumpkins.

visited a village festival

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Peter accepted the glass of apple wine. C’est Combien? He asked and reached for his wallet. The older man waved off and explained that the cider from the region was free of charge. We spent the afternoon to talk to the locals that were kindly spoke slowly so that we could understand their questions.

bought vegetables at 'Monsieur Poirot'

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Every Saturday morning, "Monsieur Poirot" drives to the main square with fresh fruit and vegetables. He knows that we are English, so he always comments on the weather.

ate outdoors under our pavilion

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Peter has a Julia balcony in London, so no food is possible there. Mine overlooks the A12 and is therefore only functional if you like your food with damping. Here we have a nice pavilion when you have got used to the bees that buzz near the lavender.

charming tableaus found on every street corner

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The abbey church Saint Jouin de Marnes is five minutes walk down the street. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, it is a fairytale lighthouse home on our bike tours. We also love the house around the corner. We don't know who lives there, but we suspect that it is a little old lady who may invite us to a drink if we should ever meet her.

homemade sprinkles made

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We pick grapes and apples in our back yard. Peter had the crazy idea of ​​making homemade sprinkles - something that none of us had ever done before. It tasted very good.

a fantastic show from a passing band caught

When I saw the posters for "Nuits Romanes", I expected something pantomimal. In reality, the band has put a fantastic live performance. (Forgive my terrible camera work. I say Peter that he shouldn't leave me close to the thing.)

danced with joy in the Anglais section

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Our next supermarket is a 20 km long return trip, which is not an easy task because we don't have a car. Our efforts on the bike were rewarded by the discovery of an 'Anglais' section in the Inter Marche. Pudding creams all around!

tries to adapt to the locals

Well, you have to try, right?

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For an amusing view of the expat life in France, read a Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke.

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