Introduce yourself here ...........

[gurubarry]

Welcome Andrea, you will love Montpellier , I hope , and this forum is such a useful oand friendly place .

A bientot
Barry et Patou

[anneb]

Just found this thread even though I've been a member here for several years !

I found too that Magnhild has stolen my avatar ! Peter had to load it with the regular avatars when the old forum moved to the new forum....that's right isn't it Peter ? That's a photo I took of a statue in Clermont l'Hérault. I'm glad you like it Magnhild

So - back to my introduction: I'm English, living currently just outside of London with my husband and son. I've had connections with the Languedoc since the mid 70's visiting it often as well as working there at one point. My parents (both English, though mother of Dutch origin) settled in the Languedoc back in 1974 when they were both middle aged in the village of Lieuran-Cabrières. They managed on a shoestring, living off the food they grew on their village allotment and writing articles about living in France for Le Monde, the Times and Telegraph, and later some stuff for TF1 and the BBC. When they grew old they moved to the nearby town of Clermont l'Hérault. And when they passed on their ashes went back to Lieuran-Cabrières and their house came to my family and my bro's. We love it there - at least I and my husband do - and we intend to retire there soon. In the meantime we visit as often as we can

à bientôt,
Anne

[dcat]

Anne, what a nice story about your parents. I am an American and have been living in Spain since 2001. I have tried to make some extra money writing for magazines, and have published a little, but basically it hasn't worked for me. So I am interested (an envious) when I hear about those who have made that work for them.

Now I've got a plan to move to France, not quite in the Languedoc, but to Avignon. Maybe writing about France (if I ever get there) will be more successful than writing about Spain.

Best wishes for your move when the time comes.

[DAPHNE BAGSHAWE]

Hi everyone.I am planning to pay a short visit to the area in early June and need to contact the organist at Lodeve Cathedral can anyone help me with a name or contact e mail / I would be very grateful BEST WISHES DAPHNE BAGSHAWE

[rdupré]

Hi! I'm Ruth, from close to Dallas, TX. My husband and I are both from Louisiana (his great-grandparents are from the Bordeaux region), and we're in the process of buying a house in Carcassonne. We plan to use it as a holiday home until he retires and then be there as much as we are able (since we're non-EU... ) Right now we can get by in French; Cajun French isn't quite the same as what's found in Carcassonne!

Anyway I'll probably be asking lots of questions on how to renovate a house, esp. where to get kitchen stuff inexpensively. Right now our laundry room is three huge stone vats with a fountain, stuck in a garage. Definitely mod-cons!

Looking forward to getting to know y'all!

I write (looking for an agent right now), love wine and good food, garden, learning French and Slovene, and keep my hubby's life interesting. <g>

ruth

[Fizzlers]

Hi everyone,
I've been on the forum a few years now so I thought I'd give you a bit of info...

Nationality = English
Originally from Lancashire, but spent last 10 years in Surrey
Occupation - Full Time Mum
Previous Occupation - Business Consultant
Why am I here? Bought a holiday home in 2005, been loving the Languedoc since I was about 5 years old...Decided to move here to raise our family permanently in 2010.
What do I miss about UK? Friends, Family & UK Shopping

www.UK4Me.co.uk

[mona26]

Nationality ? Mexican
Where from in home country ? Monterrey
Family situation ? Married, 1 boy 3 years and a baby girl due for the end of this year
Languedoc location ? le Crès
How long in Languedoc ? 5 years
Work status ? I work as a Purchasing Assistant
Other countries you have lived ? Mexico and some months in Canada
Hobbies ? Reading, traveling, meeting new people
What do you do here ? I want to practice my english, are there any expats meetings ?

Saludos!

[VIEathome]

Hi All,

I ‘m English.
Originally from Doncaster in Yorkshire.
In England, I worked in procurement.
I am here in France with my boyfriend, who is also English.
We live in Narbonne.
I arrived in July 2009 (still a bit of a newbie).
I work as a VIE at home Consultant, offering a multitude of products and job opportunities to all.

Any interest in further information, products or working as a VIE at home Consultant contact me.

[lafranglaise]

Hello everyone - about me :

Nationality ? British
Where from in home country ? Surrey/Lake District/Cotswolds
Family situation ? 2 boys
Languedoc location ? Hérault
How long in Languedoc ? 3 years full time/Lifetime part time
Work status ? Freelance
Other countries you have lived ? Spain
Previous line of work ? Marketing/Work on the web
Hobbies ? Art, Wine (particularly pink)
What do you do here ? Marketing/Work on the web

Web link http://www.facebook.com/AnnetteLafranglaise

I am not a regular forum user - but please say hello on Facebook if you're passing ...!?

[motopony]

Hi!

I'm from Sweden, and have spent the last 3 years in Geneva, Switzerland.
Born in the small town of Vimmerby, but lived in Stockholm for 8 years before I moved abroad.
I'm married to an Englishman, and together we have a 1-year old son and two pet birds.
We are moving to Toulouse in the beginning of December (not quite Languedoc, I know, but close enough). Really like Languedoc - as it happens, my husband and I went there on our honeymoon 6 years ago.

I am a set painter and also paint children's furniture on request. Have been at home with our son for the last year, but hope to be able to get him into a creche and to find a job soon, or to start my own business!

I like to paint (obviously) and draw, also like photography, the theatre, reading, watching films, hanging around in cafés, going to art galleries and museums, eating nice food, drinking wine, going for walks and seeing new places.

We moved here because my husband got a job in Toulouse.

Cheers!

[peter]

Hej motopony !

Peter

[TheSaint]

Hi All

We are Alison and Graham, currently living on the south coast of the UK. We've been holidaying in France for many years and are now in a position to actually make the move permanently.

We are both working full time at the moment, our house will be on the market after Christmas is over and we are searching the internet for suitable properties.

No dependant children, but we expect to see a lot of them when we move! Previously lived in Asia and it's amazing how many people want to come and stay when you live somewhere hot....!!

We're hoping to arrive in the autumn 2011 so we're now gleaning as much info as we can from forums such as this.

That's it for now, but expect an on rush of questions over the next year or so...

[Christopher]

I moved to the Gard in 1998, back when I was a journalist working for The Times. Then to Avignon in 2006 or so when I became a cook. Now back in Sommières in the Gard with my wife Delphine and our two daughters, Scarlett (née 2008) and Roxanne (2010).
I've had to give up restaurant cooking after carpal tunnel problems and am now doing various different things, including working up a scheme to give cookery lessons In Your Own Home! (so you do the washing up) based on doing things the restaurant way (e.g. how to do a dinner party for 8 without spending the evening away from your guests in the kitchen whilst still making everything arrive on time and hot on the table).
My real name is Chris (as in Ward) but the Superior Technology Peter uses here wouldn't let me use any of my various earlier registrations so now it's Christopher, which normally only my mother is allowed to call me (as in What Have You Done Now Christopher?)

[peter]

but the Superior Technology Peter uses here wouldn't let me use any of my various earlier registrations

One of the advanced security features is that it assumes that you can remember your password !

N'est-ce pas ?

Peter

[Christopher]

And if you've forgotten it it emails you a replacement. Which doesn't work. And if you've forgotten your login details it emails you both. Which don't work.
Oh, very advanced. I was so impressed I gave up.

[Joanna]

I have a feeling that I introduced myself on this forum some 7 years ago, when we first moved to the Languedoc. However, things have moved on since then so perhaps it is time for a little 'Re bonjour'!
Ok, I'm Joanna, live here with husband Rob. 4 kids, 'all growed up' like Topsy, and mainly spending their time in the UK (Newcastle U Tyne) doing what 'all growed up' kids do...studying at unis, working, having kids themselves etc etc.
I work here as a (part time) teacher of EFL (English as a foreign language), both privately and in local schools, and I am also a writer, freelance, but with a regular contract with French Property Links http://frenchpropertylinks.com/, and sister sites (eg.French Holiday Property http://www.frenchholidayproperty.com/ , Languedoc blog http://languedocproperty.posterous.com/ ). I also write book reviews, diverse articles for even more diverse publications, create copy for advertising purposes, edit CVs and academic writing and more. One day the long laboured over novel will be born!
Husband Rob is a time served Geordie metal worker, honed in steel on the banks of the River Tyne, now turning his skills to pergolas, garden furniture, gates, balconies, barbecues, structural tie bars, security window grills and objets d'art, for the Languedoc way of living.
Other than work (yes, we sometimes find time) we love being with our dogs (we rescue greyhounds and Spanish galgos from abuse, acting as foster family, adoption home finders and just being home to our own five rescued needle nose dogs, our horses and cats, attempting to speak French, cooking (without meat!), dining out (when we can afford it!) and drinking a little too much of the great local wines.
That's us in a nutshell. I had just about given up using forums, but am rediscovering the pleasure, so hope to meet you all on here a little more frequently then once every three years now. Oh, and all typos my own work. Lol.

[Lily]

Hello everyone!

I'm Lily, I'm 74 years old and I live in the Pyrenees Orientales near Prades.

I am a retired teacher and have lived here for fifteen years. I have two lovely grandsons and am divorced.

My life down here is very full and I have a large group of friends and we are all very active for our age. Last year I climbed Mount Canigou for the first time!!

I am not a big poster on fora but enjoy reading about peoples experiences in the area which I have made my home.

We used to have an excellent forum down here, but it appears to have been taken over by a megalomaniac in recent months. I was discussing this with a friend of mine and he recommended that I look in on your forum. It seems very friendly and relaxed. I like the fact that you seem to be treated like adults over here too.

I hope I will be able to contribute something worthwhile to your online community.

All the best.

[Genghis Cohen]

Hello everyone!

We used to have an excellent forum down here, but it appears to have been taken over by a megalomaniac in recent months. I was discussing this with a friend of mine and he recommended that I look in on your forum. It seems very friendly and relaxed. I like the fact that you seem to be treated like adults over here too.

I hope I will be able to contribute something worthwhile to your online community.
.

Bienvenue

I think your words summarise beautifully the thoughts of many. How one man can be so right, and so many others be so wrong, is one of life's little mysteries. Unless, of course, he now owns the show.

Genghis Cohen

(Stilll waiting to take off!)

[gurubarry]

Welcome Lily , I find this forum fun and informative , hope you do too

[Lily]

Thank you gentlemen, for your very kind comments.

So far, so good, gurubarry, I'm certainly finding it most interesting and entertaining.

Enjoy your holiday Mr Cohen.

[Amanda Big]

Hello everybody!
I am a 25 year-old British student living in Germany. I am planning on spending next summer in France so I thought this forum might be helpful, when in need of a good advice!
Nice to be here!

[peter]

Hello everybody!
I am a 25 year-old British student living in Germany.
I've only joined the forum today! Nice to be here!

willkommen

Peter

[gurubarry]

Hello Amanda , welcome to TLF ...where do you plan on visiting ?

[Amanda Big]

Hy there!
Well I am planning on spending next summer there! Really excited about that!
What can you tell me about the place. The kind of info I won't find on touristic webites.

[peter]

Hi

it might be interesting to check Ed's blog : http://wardinfrance.blogspot.com

Ed is a US journalist who was based in Berlin for many years before moving to Montpellier. He writes about his discovery of France, mainly Languedoc.


Peter