Time
It’s been 18 months since we left the UK and arrived in France on that hot sunny July day with no idea how life was going to change for us. Those later months of 2020, the time after we’d just arrived shortly before confinement, seem an absolute age ago. But time is flying by now, in fact where has the first week of January gone? In contrast, 2021 felt like time stood still. I think the general challenges of the pandemic have created ‘the time standing still’ feeling.
2021 was most definitely a tough year, but despite everything we continue to enjoy and embrace our life in France. Dad, and Brian’s mum Hilda, both love catching up with us on FaceTime, and we continue to stay in touch with friends and family through social media and digital technology, although it really does not replace being together.
Since arriving in France I think we have both definitely changed. Apart from the physical changes from being active and fitter, no longer sitting for long periods of time at desks (which has massively helped our well being), I am also probably 2 stone lighter, and Brian is definitely stronger. Mentally we have more time and space to be more inquisitive, more calm, and are able to have time to be more creative. We are far more patient and relaxed in our approach to things, and have time to treasure and feel delight in the little things. Gone are the days of the urgency for next day delivery, or parcels arriving every five minutes. There’s now excitement again when a parcel arrives, and a chance to speak to the post lady. All this, we know, comes down to the time we have recovered from changing our pace of life.
I think our french studies are starting to pay off too, we are understanding and talking french much better. It’s nice when even the man at the Renault garage tells you your french is improving. Meeting and being able to chat to different people, hearing different things and experiencing different traditions are all part of the enrichment of living in another country, as is enjoying new foods, delicious new recipes, and finding great wines. We get excited learning new things about the area we live in, and love it when we discover somewhere new to visit, whether it’s a restaurant, an idyllic white stone village, one of France’s many amazing museums or maybe just an unspoilt, tranquil picnic spot with a beautiful view, where we can enjoy a cup of coffee and a chausson aux pommes. We truly value having so much rich and stunningly beautiful countryside right on our door step.
What we are learning, more and more, is that there really is no need to rush through this time of our life. We are enjoying this time together and looking forward to sharing it with family and friends when it’s possible again.
