Birthdays have become ordinary, contented days in France rather than posh London celebrations. Daily life is filled with many animals—dogs, cats, poultry and visiting hedgehogs—making long weekend getaways impractical. The most valued gift is good health and happiness despite frustrations with French bureaucracy. French language ability has improved significantly after beginning formal, teacher-led lessons, with plans for an immersion course in Aix-en-Provence following a successful short immersion in Brittany. Evenings out now involve a favoured local auberge offering generous, inexpensive meals, warm greetings and a convivial atmosphere where locals gather to catch up.
My birthdays in France are very different, the day is much the same as most days here - and I couldn't be more happy about it. A weekend away with as many animals as we have (4 dogs, 6 cats and umpteen chickens, ducks and geese, plus a thriving herd of wild hedgehogs, apparently the correct term is a 'prickle' of hedgehogs, who visit every night for the free buffet formerly known as the cats food) is never going to happen (they are worth it)!
The gift I appreciate most is that we are healthy and happy. Life is not perfect in France, of course there are challenges, French bureaucracy drives us batty for one. And I still struggle with learning French though this year it's improved dramatically as I've taken steps to learn formally with teacher-led lessons, rather than hoping I'll pick up those tricky grammar rules just by being here.
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