A Writer’s lot in France - Midi-Pyrénées

A Writer’s lot in France is Vanessa’s blog about her life near Montauban in the Tarn-et-Garonne department of the Midi-Pyrénées region of southern France.

Vanessa is (and may have been able to gather from the name of the blog) a writer.  For morte details, you could take a look at her Writing website.

So, it should comer as no surprise that A Writer’s lot in France is full of well written articles that range from the helpful to the amusing.

Starting with the 2CV post!

I discovered that only one post refers to that iconic example of French engineering ingenuity, the Citroen 2CV.

A Dying Breed, however,  does stand out as a prime example of Vanessa’s writing; showing compassion without being too sentimental.

In a similar vein, A small village with a big heart in southwest France shows that a small village can often surprise with the amount of activities going on.

And, having absolutely nothing to do with 2CVs, we discover that Sexism is alive and well in France.

Good on Vanessa for telling it warts and all!

The posts that have nothing to do with Citroen 2CVs….

Of course, there are plenty of other posts that have nothing to do with Citroen 2CVs.  These happen to cover matter as diverse as… French car boot sales: vide-greniers (the jug shown on that article reminds me of the oil can that old Marcel used to keep in the back of his ancient 2CV) to For Sale, one careful owner (which is how Mrs Marcel used to describe her ancient husband after he crashed her beloved old 2CV!)

And when Vanessa dares to break tradition and admits that Maybe la chasse isn’t such a bad thing… I can hear  many expats rising up to argue with her.

Perhaps they should all calm down and have a glass (or bucket) of Walnut Wine?  Vanessa thoughtfully provides the recipe for that!

Helpful tips….

A Writer’s lot in France is full of useful hints and tips.  Starting with Language mistakes: 5 things to avoid saying in French we learn not to worry the waiter by saying Je suis fini! (that means… I’m about to expire), although that might ensure a prompt delivery of l’addition?

In Surviving in France: 10 top tips, Vanessa advises us to be nice to builders.  Useful stuff indeed!

That’s probably going to come in very handy if you ignore Vanessa’s advice on Buying a house: ten top tips!

More importantly, Vanessa explains all about French social customs (specifically aperitifs) – not that is worth knowing about.  I never knew that you have to say A votre santé! before you start chugging away at the Ricard -perhaps that explains why I’m rarely invited back (apart from round Marcel’s, that is. I’m always welcome round there!  But….  it’s ‘cos I’m the only one in the village who’s prepared to listen to him waffling on about his bl**dy 2CV!)

Summing up….

Still a young blog, I can see Sign of spring and predict a warm and special summer for A Writer’s lot in France

It’s probably a good time of year to pop down and visit Vanessa at A Writer’s lot in France – just bear in mind that you shouldn’t ask her… “Vous êtes chaude?”

And me?  well, I’ve just learned that, in France, French women are forbidden to wear trousers, by law (unless they’re riding a bicycle or a horse) – so I’m going to hitch to Paris and get hold of that Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and tell her to “remove your trousers girlie and show us your botty – it’s the law!”

Wish me luck!

All the best

4 Comments

• 

  By Sarah Hague, May 28, 2010 @ 10:08 am

  What a shame she doesn’t live in the Lot-et-Garonne cos she could have called her blog
  A Writer’s Lot in France

  Okay, too obscure…

• 

  By Keith Eckstein, May 28, 2010 @ 10:10 am

  Sarah

  I wish I were brave enough to say something like…. “Isn’t it a bit early to start drinking, Sarah?”

  But I’m not!

  All the best

  Keith

• 

  By Nessafrance, May 28, 2010 @ 10:32 am

  Yes, or better still the Lot. I live about 10km from the Lot Dept, but can’t capitalise on the pun, alas. Thanks for the review, Keith. Sorry I could only oblige with one 2CV and no lingerie (though I did mention removing trousers from women) or mushrooms (not quite the time of year yet). But very excited to read your nice comments. All the best, V.

• 

  By Sarah Hague, May 28, 2010 @ 10:50 am

  LOL, such wit on just a cuppa. I don’t know how I do it…!!!

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