A queue that stretched along the street wasn’t what I expected when I turned up for my interview for a carte de séjour on Monday. I’d imagined my appointment was…
The postman didn’t need to ring twice on Monday with Damon’s Irish passport. We were ready. It gives him – and by extension, me – the right to stay living…
Today would have been day one of the UK not being in the EU. That black day has been delayed – but, sadly, only temporarily. Nearly 2 million people marched…
Exchanging my UK driving licence for a French one should be straightforward, shouldn’t it? That’s my hope, as this week that is precisely what I have applied to do. At…
The coming year promises to be an exciting one. If all goes to plan, 2019 will be the year we buy a property in south-west France and prepare to launch…
Until Wednesday this week, friends and colleagues showed great fascination in whether I would support England or France if the two went head to head in the World Cup final.…
In the calendar of Pride parades in Europe, Lille is often overlooked – but the city did itself proud. The floats pumped out high-octane dance music, revellers sported outrageous costumes…
This week I learned that I have made the list of the top 100 French blogs. I’m delighted to find myself alongside some fascinating bloggers whose posts I really enjoy.…
Emmanuel Macron launched a drive this week to give the French language a boost. That’s all well and good – but someone should tell the French. Here, speaking English is…
Ce qui ne nous tue pas nous rend plus fort, as the French say. Well, move over Jean-Claude van Damme, I’ve had quite a week. A new role has been…
The publication this week of the Michelin stars for 2018 has created a sensation up and down the country. Here in Lille, we’re celebrating the naming of a 3rd restaurant…
I was interviewed this week about Brexit. Now I just hope I won’t be vilified in the media like the British Conservative MPs who voted on Wednesday to give Parliament…
Call me shallow, but good bread was one of things that attracted us to France. So having one of France’s best boulangeries a few short minutes from our front door…
Looks like I moved to Lille at just the right time. This week the city has been named as the best place in France to find a permanent job and…
Families torn apart, friendships damaged irrevocably and shattered hopes for the future proved common themes at a Brexit life-writing workshop I arranged at work this week. The workshop was part…
Sometimes you simply have to focus on the bigger picture – particularly when you’re facing a week that will challenge everything you hold dear. That was the week I faced…
While many of us dream of starting over in another country, some people have already taken the plunge. Seeing how they get on makes for good television – which explains…
New Year’s Eve often brings with it a sense of nostalgia – a desire to look back fondly at the past year. This year, however, is different. I can’t wait…
As the weather turns colder, a fondue is just what we need – especially now that eating cheese has been declared the secret to a long life. Yes, really. We…
University is about more than just studying a subject – it’s a course in life lessons. The students who started at university this week will soon find that out. I think…
