My name is Jo, and in 2020 I moved to France with my husband, Brian. From our move to France, to running our B&B, my blog, which you can read below, is a diary of ‘Our French Adventure’. I share short stories about the Champagne region, and its people, and the life we have embraced here.
Embracing Change
Earlier this week I wrote a post for ‘LinkedIn’ a social media business platform. It describes briefly our journey to reach here, which I wanted to write to help inspire other people who may be thinking of doing something similar. It’s had nearly 2000 views, and 50 reactions, and I’ve received some very positive feedback- so I thought I would share it via my blog more as a recap, I hope you enjoy the read.
I know change can be scary, but it can also be exciting, it can motivate and invigorate. I believe there are times in our lives when change is important, when maybe we are flagging and need an injection of difference, but I honestly didn’t realise how important the changes that we had planned to make in our lives were going to be for us.
Our old lives were super busy, mostly taken up with work, and travel to and from it. In the spare time we had left we shoe-horned in the gym, meals out, expensive holidays and the all-too-frequent bouts of retail therapy. Then there were my pampering days and regular hair appointments, it all seemed so important to me at the time.
In 2020 we decided to sell our house in the UK and move to France, leaving our corporate roles, and our old lives, behind. My aim had always been to retire by the age of 55 and do something different, but what I didn’t realise was that ‘doing something different’ was such an important part of our plan, and truly aided our retirement. After all, we were leaving work, and that meant no more money coming in, some things were going to have to change.
So, with the long hours of work a thing of the past, we were free to investigate a different way. Our gym became the house and the garden. There’s so much to do, and doing it keeps us so much fitter than our infrequent gym visits ever did. Our surrounding countryside allows us to do wonderful walks straight from our door, and we also find time now to do a daily stretching routine, with a series of videos we found on YouTube. The regular visits to my hair colourist have gone, and I’ve embraced my natural hair colour, which I love. The shopping trips have moved aside for something far more exciting, we now visit antique markets (brocantes) and flea markets (Marché des puces) where we find things that give us far more pleasure than we could imagine. The search for a little treasure is wonderful, and brings such joy. I’m also finally able to embrace my cooking properly, with all the care that time now allows me.
Now I’m not saying that we have stopped doing all the things we did before, we just do them when we want to, not all the time. But to embrace our new pace of life we needed to approach our lives differently. We didn’t overthink this at the time, but now we can see how change has worked for us. In truth, entirely changing our lives allowed us to reset our expectations, and also our needs. It’s been a truly freeing experience, that’s allowed us to achieve retirement in a way we only ever imagined. Nothing can prepare you for such massive changes, but what we had was a purpose, to find a new pace of life, new experiences, and a positive environment for improving our health and well-being.
Our changes could have been really scary without a strong plan in place. At times we’ve had to flex our approach, dealing with the little challenges that change brings, but it keeps it exciting and our aim invigorates us to carry on.
Library begins
Yesterday we drove into Troyes to do a bit of shopping. We wanted to try and find a sideboard that we could use underneath a bookcase Brian is going to build in our ‘work in progress’ library. I think I had in mind an old French carved sideboard, but in the ‘depot vente’ we found this wonderful old oak unit. It does need a bit of tidying up, one of the drawers is stiff, and the doors need some catches. We also need to rub it down and re-wax it, but otherwise it’s in really good condition.
We couldn’t arrange delivery until a couple of weeks time, but we are in no hurry, although we are both excited to get started on it and see it in situ.
Getting there
Brian has been working in the cave the last few days, sorting out the lighting in the entrance, and attaching a few more panels of OSB (chipboard).
They were a bit tricky to cut and fit in, which is why I think he has been avoiding them, but I do know he’s also keen to get it finished, ready for when the warmer weather gets here.
I can see why it’s been a bit tricky though, the beams are less than straight!
he also managed to put the, very heavy, water pump back on the wall, for a little old fashioned’ styling.
We have the Essoyes wine festival in May, where we like to go and enjoy a dégustation before buying a selection of french wines for our friends and guests to enjoy, so hopefully it will be up and running by then.
Tasty day
These are the treats that we bought yesterday at ‘Dimanche à la campagne’, or Sunday in the country. It’s a festival to celebrate all the beautiful local produce in our region.
It was a much bigger event this year, with 50 farms and producers opening their doors to the public. For me, part of the fun is selecting which ones we will get to visit.
Our first visit was in the little village of Fourcheres. There is a small microbrewery there, with an épicerie next to it. They had invited lots of other small local producers to have stalls in one of their barns. It was such a fun atmosphere to get the day started, with local musicians and a balloon magician for the kids.
For lunch we headed to La ferme des blé d’or, which is owned by my friend Dominique and her husband Olivier, who mills his own wheat and presses his own oils.
They were all set up for making lunch of fresh pizzas in a wood fired oven. There was a huge queue, as the food looked wonderful. Mine was vegetarian, with homemade lentil Hummus and roasted vegetables. Brian had crème fraiche, bacon and onions. They were both delicious. Then we had a little tray of desserts.
It had been quite a cold day, but it was wonderful to see a very well attended event all across the region. Everyone is so enthusiastic and proud of their work, the cold weather really did not seem to matter.
It’s a great way for us to discover and sample local produce that we can offer to our guests, and I’ve got lots of ideas for some tasty, new dishes.
A dry day
We spent the morning together removing staples and stripping the final two chairs down. We then tightened the strapping on the seats.
This afternoon I’ve put the first coat of paint on, which I now need to leave to dry overnight.
As it had turned into quite a clear, dry afternoon, I thought I would get some plants I’d bought planted. We had bought a few ground cover plants for behind one of the benches in the garden. I’m hopeful they will grow well in this spot partly under the shade of the rose bush. The hellebore is loving it.
Two to go
Back in the atelier today to try and get the two chairs finished. It’s raining outside, so a great place to enjoy the day with a talking book. I’m currently listening to ‘The summer that changed us’ by Cathy Bramley. Something light that I don’t have to concentrate on too much.
I finished off the stapling of the fabric, then Brian came to help me glue the braid around the edges.
We both think that they are looking great, I now can’t wait to get the final two finished.
Coffee break
It was a bit overcast today, but we decided a little walk would be good, it would help stretch our legs out from the long walk we did on Sunday.
We just headed up to the point de vue, the one that overlooks Landreville. It’s such a pretty spot, and I’d taken a flask of coffee for our elevenses. What a perfect coffee break.
On the way back I stopped to take some pics of the little, yellow cowslips growing all along the bank.
Brian stopped to take photos of the vines. I don’t think you can ever have too many!
Precocious strawberries
This week I’ve discovered these deliciously sweet, deep red strawberries, grown in the south of France. They are the first of the season, and often called ‘variété précoce’, although their correct name is - ‘Gariguettes’.
I’m enjoying mine for breakfast with some muesli and yogurt. Such a delicious way to start the day. I do think though that a strawberry tart may be on the menu for next week.
Composteur
I had to share this with you all, as last week we had a note in our letter box inviting us to collect a free composter. They would be handing them out from the small village of Celles-sur-Ource on Thursday afternoon. All we needed to do was to take proof of our address, so I took a telephone bill.
They had set themselves up in the village community centre, and were offering either a small or large version. With our size garden to mow, we chose the larger of the two. It was flat packed so easily fitted in the back of the car.
Yesterday we put it together and positioned it at the back of the barn. I already had a couple of trugs of grass clippings I could get it started with. What a great giveaway, and it saves Brian having to build me one now. That’s another job ticked off the list and I’m now looking forward to filling it up and starting to make some compost ready for use next year.
An Easter walk
We woke to glorious sunshine on Easter Sunday. We were planning on going for a walk, so it couldn’t have been more perfect.
We started off in Landreville, a short 3 minute drive from us. We parked up just near the little chapel of Saint Béline and headed in the direction of Celles-sur-Ource, following the river.
The river was getting quite noisy, as we approached a ford. I’m not sure I’d be wanting to cross here in a car!
We then turned uphill, heading away from the river, through the forest.
The spring wildflowers were spectacular. Carpets of little, white woodland anemones, dotted with bright yellow cowslips, little blue violets, and a larger, mauve and yellow anemone. The May blossom was also out sunning itself, searching out the sunshine through the dappled light of the trees.
The forest paths stretched in front of us, and we enjoyed the tranquility and ease of following the route and listening to the birds.
There was plenty to see and observe along the route, which was well marked, and at times opened out onto clear vistas of the neighbouring villages. There was also plenty of wildlife to see.
As we headed down towards the village of Essoyes we discovered an old chapel, that was in an early stage of repair. They had put a new roof on to help protect it, and there was visible signs that they were starting to work on the stonework. It will be lovely to see this restored.
It was a fabulous walk and a most gorgeous day.
Market day
Friday morning and we nipped to the weekly market in Bar-sur-Seine. We’d already been to the butchers to pick up some lamb chops for Sundays dinner. So I just needed a few veg and a snack for a picnic.
On my regular veg stall they were selling bettes, which I believe is a white chard.
I wasn’t totally certain on how to use it, so Brian asked the lady how she would prepare it. She explained that I can use the centre white stalk, sautéed in butter, then served with a béchamel sauce over it and gratinéed under the grill. The green part of the leaf can be used like spinach, and is particularly good in an omelette.
Also, I couldn’t believe how many tulips and daffodils I bought for just 10 euros, I couldn’t resist them.
A simple lunch
Another beautiful blue sky, and Vincent from Robert-Grandpierre was out weeding between his vines.
I was just picking a few flowers to pop in a vase to display on our lunch table!
We had some friends coming, and I’d prepared us some salads with cold meats, warm new buttery potatoes and fresh baguette with cheese. For dessert I’d made an apricot tart with a frangipane topping. I served it with some whipped cold crème fraîche.
It was an absolutely delightful lunch, simple but fresh and delicious, nothing can beat sharing a relaxed meal with friends, full of fun and laughter.
Spring frost
We woke to a beautiful blue sky this morning. We had been checking the overnight temperatures, so we could monitor the temperatures in the cave. Every little bit of work Brian is doing in there is making a difference.
We wanted to pop out to pick up some bread and cold meats from the butchers, as we had some friends coming for a light lunch. The air was brisk, and very still, the sky was clear of clouds and a bright crisp blue. There was plenty of activity in the vineyards as the -3°C temperatures experienced overnight meant that the vignerons were up and about very early caring for their vines.
These spring frosts bring such a magical fairyland feel to the vineyards.
The water sprayers were still sweeping over the vineyards, cascading over an icy landscape. It’s like watching a ballet, with the dancers flitting from one side to the other.
If you would like to watch a short video we made of this beautiful ballet last year, please click here.
The views are simply spectacular.
Patch it
We discovered that the small gaps in the side wall of the cave were the result of a badly patched hole someone had used to put an electric socket into the cave area.
Rather than trying to patch it again, Brian decided it would be better to knock it out altogether, and do a better job.
By doing this simple fix the temperature last night in the cave dropped by just half a degree, to 7.5°c . Whilst outside it dropped to -3°c. The work isn’t finished yet, and the final aim is to get a near constant 10°c without any intervention.
Every little win brings him closer.
In the buff
We were back in the atelier working on the chairs, which were now painted. With Annie Sloan paint you need to use a wax to seal it and provide a protective coating. It effectively means it becomes washable.
It also takes some of the newness of the paint away, and provides a nice sheen when it’s buffed with a soft cloth. I do love the finish it gives on painted furniture. Although I think you need to be careful not to over use it.
Once buffed, we then cut out the materials used to cover the seat pads. I’d already cut the foam to fit, but there are another couple of layers that go over it.
Illuminating
I didn’t like Brian working in limited light in the cave so I bought him a ‘projector light’. It’s only a small LED plate, but it throws a surprising amount of light out in one direction.
The great thing is, you can direct it at a wall or ceiling to create ambient light within the space you need to illuminate, so even the shadowed areas are lit enough for him to see what he’s doing.
Full english
Sunday morning, and it felt like a cooked breakfast kind of a morning.
After brekkie we sat and chatted about our jobs list, and what we want to get done this week. We do have a few things planned that aren’t DIY, so we will probably focus on finishing some of the smaller jobs for now.
Yesterday I finished off the painting of the two chairs we are going to upholster.
It would be great to get these finished this week. I can then start on the last two.
Caveman
After having the wood delivered earlier in the week Brian was excited to start back in the cellar.
Over the winter we had monitored the temperature in the cave, and with temperatures as low as -10°c outside, the cave didn’t drop below 4°c, which was fine this winter, but ideally we’d like it around 10°c all year.
So the plan is to finish covering the roof of the tasting room, which is the first area as you enter, which had been created when we split the cave in two.
He will do the same to this ceiling as to the actual cave roof. He also needs to seal up a few gaps in the side wall, which he’d only just discovered, and fit a framed glass window into what is effectively a hole to the outside.
It’s now feeling like a space that will work how we need it to.
One of lifes certainties
Today we joined a webex hosted by French Entrée. The topic was french tax. A timely opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the french tax system. I always think it’s worth grabbing these opportunities as you never know what you may learn.
We are coming up to three years of living in France, so we are well and truly in the tax system.
Everyone who lives in France, whether you earn an income here or not, has to file a tax return online. And this is done as a household, not as individuals, so luckily we only have to do one. It can get a bit complex though as there is an agreement with the UK to prevent double taxation, so you do need to declare everything; any income you have in France or the UK. Even those that are not residents here, but own a property that they earn money from, would need to do a return.
When we moved to France we tried to keep our finances as simple as possible, and getting as much help as we can, but we still find it a challenge.
The submission deadline is approaching for us, as we are in region 10 which is one of the first areas to submit. They spread the submissions over a number of months so as not to be inundated in the tax office. I think that’s such a great idea.
Blossoming
We said cheerio to our chambre d’hôte guests early, as they had a tasting arranged at our village champagne producer, Robert-Grandpierre, at 8am.
It was a gorgeous morning and we were keen to get some jobs done in the garden.
The fruit trees had started to blossom, as spring was finally starting to show itself. We started by mowing and strimming the slope. The peonies are poking through so I was careful not to run over them. I’ve marked where they are with stakes until they are tall enough to see easily.
We also have a number of daffodils that my friend and I planted a few years ago, and look full of sunshine naturalising across the slope. I’d like to plant a lot more under the trees as part of my garden plan, this will probably need to wait until the autumn.
It had turned into a pretty warm day, around 20°c, and we ended up quite exhausted trying to finish all the little jobs, but it was very satisfying seeing the results of our hard work.
Gardening now seems to give us both a lot of pleasure, and it’s so much easier when we are working on it together.