Some days, life feels like a slightly melted candle on the kitchen counter, a Pyrenees Mountain dog/Australian Berger hybrid weaving between my legs like she owns the place, and me yelling at my husband while he quietly walks away — apparently, one-sided shouting is my hidden superpower. It should be an Olympic sport! We moved into this house four days before Christmas. It’s now the end of January. Boxes are still stacked like small mountains, curtains are half-hung, and ever

Finally.... And the end of an UNFRENCH era. New Year, new me, literally! Honestly, It's been an absolute blast since 2017 but it is getting a little stale now and I no longer live in France. Donna doesn't live here anymore..........lol! A lil Cliff Richard earworm for you there! As I said in my last blog, it's finally time to hang up my UNFRENCH pen and concentrate on a new adventure, just months after leaving France in mid 2025. Saying that, we didn't really have any real wa

or still the same old? Well folks! I do hope your new year started out well enough and you've survived, thrived even to this point? Of course you have! Today is the 20th of January 2026 and its been interesting for us so far! A little topsy turvy but whats new? It may be a new year but real life doesn't fully reset does it? No. We are okay though and using all the gumption we have to muddle through the changes best we can. The cold snap has gone for now, thank goodness and t

Cheers lovelies! ....and in with the new, in so many ways for 2026 and thank you to 2025 for the lessons I didn't want or really need! The vintage half decade that was 2020/2025 was not great and in parts, nearly broke me. The second half has got to be better hasn't it? YES! So, I'm opening all the windows and doors, inviting the trash to leave! Bye now! No more side swipes, nasty surprises, left field landings or life hijackings! I'm done, only good things may enter from her

all the time and especially at Christmas! Remember that! Doesn't matter about the gifting, just enjoy time with those you love. It's right now, at this EXACT time of the year... the 'festive' period', when we become rather reflective and also, as the New Year approaches, with another year's end so darned near, we feel the passage of time more keenly. I do at least! Let's face it we only get so much time on this amazing planet, make it count! Make it all count, but try not to

eh! ........must come to an end and whilst we've had a ball, it's nearly time to go home and face the Christmas music! Also, as nuts as it sounds, this country girl is ready for some peace, english countryside tranquility and to get things organised for the silly season. Time to deck the halls! I'm not a city girl, you know that about me by now but two weeks in the Toronto smoke has been great! The only thing is, it's an assault on the senses sometimes. I found getting around

is not long enough..... Good morning on day 7 of 13 back in Toronto, having left in haste in January 2020, to beat the looming Brexit deadline....FFS! I know I promised a blog mid December, but I do have time to write to you this morning, so let's go! Here's the thing, If time travel was indeed possible, I would rewind to the early days December 2019, NOT book the removals and decide to stay 'warts and all'. I'm very clear about this change of heart. The 'come for one year on

our old home Day 5 in the city that sleeps quietly and yes, I woke way too early again! I remain hopeful that night 5 is the one! I'm sure it's not the time difference by now, no it's adjusting to the dulcet rumblings of the concrete jungle and building HVAC system, which appears to have language all of its own. Strangulated pipes and faulty rotors springs to mind, needs some oil and a good bloody kick! It does rather sound like a helicopter struggling to take off. Noise sens

Today a lady on my Facebook page asked me, if I have any regrets moving back from France earlier this year? I don't and I don't have to think twice about that. Sans Regrets. Of course it's taken a few months to settle in and for my nerves to calm, but I almost forget I was ever there on a daily basis now. Yes, I do miss 'things', especially my lovely kitchen, dressing room, that huge bath and of course cheap quaffable wine......but truly, thats it. I guess if I had to drive a

Hello you! Feels like that sometimes doesn't it? Real life is craaaaaaazy at times. This is us going into month five of the farm house rental! How quick has that gone? Just keep swimming. Look, we didn't really want to do any work on a house right now, especially not a rental and not after the full French renovation from hell, so it's been a tumultuous 4 months so far. Nothing like we thought it would be! In fact, if truth be told we are a bit sick of it all and despite thos

Testing, testing, one, two....and three! Must have had 30 blood tests in the last few weeks and changed BP meds 5 times! Oi! I've never been one to visit the doctor, no thanks, unless I have a list of woes a mile long and have been sat on them for months, even years. I'm very much a 'I'm not dead yet soooo'........Honestly though, I'm not a fan of doctors surgeries generally and feel that advocating for my own health is often too stressful in itself! I don't wish to battle bu

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