The Villeneuvois are lovely - friendly and polite; the very antithesis of the British view of the Parisians. In fact many would far sooner have Brits here than Parisians - maybe a hangover from the time when Aquitaine was English and we were supporting the Protestants against the Catholic King in Paris?
This old-fashioned politeness can turn a shopping trip from a chore into an enrichening experience and there is a big contrast between the French shop assistant and their undervalued, underpaid and surly English equivalents.
We live in a very rural area with few neighbours, and, being backward in coming forward, it's taken time to integrate in the community. But we're now recognised at village functions, which we take pains to attend, and have always been received with welcoming friendliness. There's quite a strong ex-pat British community but it represents only a tiny proportion of the populace, so there are no English ghettos. Our community of some 400 souls has only half a dozen or so Brits within it.
Christine's language group includes French people learning English as well as vice versa, so we've been to a few local functions. There are walking clubs, a newcomers' club, tai chi, golf, etc., so we're not lost for something to do in between "holidays" - some would say we're on permanent holiday!
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| May: Lunch at Tessel Bas | June: Lunch in The Gers |
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| August: "La Vie en France" meet | August: Jean & Ingė 40th Anniversary |
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| September: Jim & Ulla with Xine at Penne d'Agenais | September: Afternoon tea at Bonaguil |
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| October: Plasterboarding Pete | October: Peter and pussies |
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| Oct/Nov: Sara with Millie (photo by Simon) | Oct/Nov: Simon, Millie & Olivia (photo by Simon) |
The year for visitors started slowly so we contented ourselves with the local social scene, until Peter came out with his latest girlfriend in July. Jim and Ulla Waddell arrived in September; as it was their first visit we had a lovely time showing them our area. Peter returned for some home cooking and to give me some indispensible help with the plasterboarding in October. Finally Simon and Sara visited us with Millie and Olivia and they were able to revisit the lovely mediaeval church at Pujols where their wedding was celebrated.
My expat "support & social" group La Vie en France continues to thrive; I enjoy the management and technical aspects and there are frequent get-togethers, but it can take up a great deal of time; in addition I run groups for The Engineers of South-West France, The Valentine Golf Society The Marconi Old Geezers' Society and a village blog for Sainte-Colombe-de-Villeneuve.
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