My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream (The Good Life France)

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In this book, Janine regales us with the delights and dramas of a year attempting to live the rural idyll. Not only do they build a comfortable home, they build a wonderful new life for themselves in France. With sneak peeks into the Mexican themed party, complete with castle owner and hostess dressed as a cactus, the elderly sexy barmaid and the vet who, in disbelieve, cares for the stray cats and dogs Janine collects, you will want to pack up sticks and move to France yourself.

For the next few years, Marsh and her husband visited the house on weekends, beginning the monumental task of making it livable. Drinking wine that was made on this same vineyard, or at least, in the same region, by a friendly neighbour. That auspicious day turned into a new address, a change of lifestyle and jettisoned both Janine and Mark Marsh towards fresh career pursuits. At the very least, that means speaking the language, but it also means developing a symbiotic relationship with your new neighbours, and sharing in their way of life, and in village life; otherwise, what’s the point?French people esteem their language and being able to converse with them in French can often change how they react to you. She is known as “flop chef not top chef” to her French friends (Madame Merde behind her back – and that’s a long story that’s in her book My Good Life in France! We go beyond the guidebooks to bring you secret Paris – where every street corner has a story to share.

With her sharp insight after many years as an ex-pat in France and her engaging sense of humour, Marsh takes us on the bumpy road of highs and lows restoring a "truly awful" (her words) property in the north of France that captured her heart.These are the true tales of Janine’s rollercoaster ride through a different culture – one that, to a Brit from the city, was in turns surprising, charming and not the least bit baffling. Many others would have headed back to the UK (or wherever home was) rather than endure more cold and wet. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Overall, I would stress that kindness and consideration for others goes a long way anywhere and everywhere.

Sure, there will be red tape and difficulties and builders who don’t understand the concept of keeping appointments. Marsh says that friends who visited during the early days of their “house of horrors” construction project could not believe the scope of the work they had taken on. She lives in France with 3 dogs, 6 cats, 4 geese, 28 ducks and 18 chickens who all have names and think she is the maid. No, the routine is not repetitive, it’s delicious) Growing your vegetables directly on the land and eating them fresh, after picking them.In these crusty chronicles we’ll explore the history of bread and especially the UNESCO-listed French baguette. Well, the author Janine Marsh certainly did just that on a wet and windy February cross channel day out with her husband Mark, and Dad. I began by listening to French radio online and watching films and TV in French with English subtitles. After recently posting some photos of my handmade wreath on my fireplace at Christmas time, many of you asked for more information on how I made my wreath. She begins to enjoy “The Good Life” in France as she gets to know people in her community and adjusts to the culture.

Imagine sitting out on the field every day, come rain or shine, and just taking in this beauty, day-in and day-out. I already had my house of horrors in rural France which was meant to be a holiday home but I stopped visiting because I was working almost non-stop. It is a Peter Mayle sort of reddux, but no one can equal his ironic humor as he not only shows us his Luberon neighbors' quirks, but also pokes fun at himself. These are the true tales of Janine's rollercoaster ride through a different culture - one that, to a Brit from the city, was in turns surprising, charming and not the least bit baffling.Overall, this was a fun memoir and it helped me satisfy the need to go somewhere else while staying home the whole day. People see smoke coming out of her chimney, word spreads, and soon there is a traffic jam in the tiny downtown. Of course be sensible, make sure you can afford it, learn the language and accept that the bureaucracy will frustrate you… but live your dream, there are no second chances.