Janie's France diary
How easy is it to settle down in France? Janie Arnold from London has written a diary of her experiences in the South of France where she and her partner have bought a farmhouse with potential. Click on a title below and read her story.Jan 2008
Life is good
Almost four years after her last entry, Janie is sending her greetings from France where she is still living with her husband and twins.
June 03 - May 04
Dinner parties
Janie finds that in France you invite people over for a dinner party. All you need is a simple meal served on a pretty table and the right mix of people.
Great achievements
Janie and Ashley are celebrating their first year in France with a great party with 60 guests, three parrots and a magician.
Our village is under threat
The Government has plans to forcibly purchase the houses in the village. Not speaking fluent French Janie was unaware of the problem.
It's twins!
Janie has some wonderful news to share: she is pregnant and is expecting twins.
Un garçon et une fille
Janie writes about what it's like to be pregnant in France. Also she and Ashley made a difficult decision: they want to go back to England.
Health matters
Janie is going through all the health checks. This involves a lot of communication with doctors and her French is more than challenged.
Hard to get back home!
Janie and Ashley find out what it's like to sell a house in France. The house is on the market with an estate agent based in the UK.
The benefits of French health care
Janie is 30 weeks pregnant and is being very well looked after by French health care. She and Ashley are not ready to leave France just yet!
Happy arrival
On Easter Monday Janie gave birth to two healthy babies. They were very impatient to come out before their time.
Oct 02 - Jan 03
A dream come true
Janie and her husband Ashley have bought a large farmhouse in the South of France built in 1837. The want to run a B&B and rent out two apartments.
French for neighbours, builders and dogs
Janie speaks French to her dog. And to her neighbours and builders as well of course! Find out how she copes.
The honeymoon is over
After the excitment of the first months, Janie realises that the house is creating an awful lot of work.
Socialising over food
Janie can manage a BBQ, but how will she handle a French five course meal? Read about French etiquette.
We're now legal
Janie has received her
Christmas in France
Janie and Ashley are days away from their first Christmas in France and the building and decoration work is far from being finished.
Challenging phone calls
Janie needs to make an appointment at the doctor and explain her symptoms to him. She gets her phrase book out to prepare the call.
