I think our personalities come to the fore, through our actions, during momentous stages in our lives. My husband and I met at university and after a whirlwind romance, we found ourselves working as teachers in Dorset in the heart of the leafy countryside.
The Fork in the Road
Unfortunately, life can be cruel, and after the death of our Dads’ just months apart we planned a life that would be full of adventure and yes, precarity.
Our wedding was in a tiny shepherd’s church on one of the hottest days of the year. The wedding party, including barn dance, was combined as a leaving party as three days later we had packed up our lives and were on the ferry to Caen with our two pet rabbits. Did you know that due to maritime law, rodents cannot travel with any ferry company (at the time) due to the superstition that it could cast bad luck on the voyage? I suppose it was hark back to the times when rats gnawed through hulls on huge galleons. (I should mention that this superstition was only observed by French Ferry companies – the wholly UK owned P&O had no problem with it.)
Fortunately, the bunnies didn’t escape, and the hull was untouched! We landed in France with a few bottles of Red Bull and around eight hours driving ahead of us. It was only after I started to get adrenaline shakes half-way in that I threw the brew out. We arrived at our “forever home” late that night with a bottle of champagne in hand, and just a mattress thrown on the floor.
Rose-tinted glasses
The luggage was followed us out a few days later in a container lorry including an upright piano. We didn’t think at the time of the issues the tiny, tree-covered, sinuous lane leading to our ancient farmhouse would cause to any removals lorry. It ultimately proved a nightmare for them, as did the piano! We also didn’t think anything of the gaps in-between the ceiling and walls that let a plethora of wildlife in and out of the house, including snakes. All we could think of was the beautiful sunset and the first day of our “honeymoon”. We just knew things would work out, and after 20 years here in France, we still have no regrets.
Déjà-vu?
We now find ourselves in a similar situation nearly 20 years on. Here we are living in temporary rented accommodation, waiting for the big move. There is definitely more baggage, physically and psychologically. For a start we seem to have accumulated 3 children, 3 cats and a dog. Of course there will be tears, as it will be extremely hard to say goodbye to some amazing friends. But life is (as we agreed all those years ago) about adventure and making the most of the experiences in front of you. Both of our Dad’s had planned to make the most of their retirements and never were able to. You only live once!
At least this time we don’t have to drag a piano across gravel with 5 sturdy lads, or physically throw mice out of a window in the middle of the night due to an infestation. I won’t have to see my friend scream in the kitchen as a “loir” ran across the floor, or jump into our swimming pool to save a doe. We have had a wealth of experiences, some happy, some sad and some just plain unbelievable. However, we have learnt so much about ourselves and each other. Even the small successes such as to be able to wire a plug or survive when snowed-in have been achievements.
It’s now January 2023, with just a few months left. Fingers crossed that everything this time will run smoothly!
MidLife Crisis In France
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