frenchfancy's journey

[Maintainer]

aah yes, many Brits retired to that department, but I believe quite a few returned to the UK? Do you hear much about that side of things? With the exchange rate changing, and the problems for non retirees getting health coverage over here if not working, it put more than a few of, alas. My sister had been planning to retire early over here, but not any more!

I hear you re your early morning antics! I hereby challenge you to create a Dukan friendly cupcake recipe. That would be lovely... I guess a muffin type "cake", with a quark type icing... and a tomato for a cherry on the top!

I agree with you re living out your dreams.

 

[frenchfancy]

Joanne I believe things are going to change again re healthcare next year as it has been argued being within EU etc etc and not being legal, so tell your sister to keep her ears open. We are early retirees but accessed the healthcare due to my husbands nat ins contributions in UK, so got 2.5 years of healthcare, by which time he will be 65, but I am much younger but get the same benefits as his dependant.

A few people have moved back to UK but usually due to missing family, rather than finances. Whilst we do miss family of course they do actually come out and stay with us for longer than we used to see them in UK, if that makes sense. I think that the cost of living has also risen in UK over the last few years and some things are incredibly expensive over here. So I am one of the very bad people who actually has a monthly delivery of food stuff and cleaning products, plus all my cake decorating supplies (as I cannot get them for love nor money here) Whilst I pay a delivery charge it still works out cheaper than buying certain stuff here. I do still buy plenty from our shops and market in town but make my pension eek out by buying stuff from UK too.

I will accept your challenge re Dukan cupcake so will have to get my thinking head on and once I've done the clock cake I shall start experimenting.

 

[frenchfancy]

well we had the mother of all storms last night and this morning; thunder, lightening and torrential rain. It lasted for the best part of 5 hours. It was still throwing it down this morning so we cancelled our market trip; hence no walk today for me. I did do 20 mins on the treadmill to make up for it tho. will have to do extra tomorrow

 

[alottolose]

Lovely to read you it's nice to hear about everyone's emigratory (is that a word?) experiences...once I've got rid of my mortgage I'd like to travel and maybe live overseas...quite fancy myself sitting outside a cafe in a quiet little picturesque village drinking coffee and reading a novel .... x

 

[frenchfancy]

you are very welcome to read, and my advice to you is, If you have dreams and wishes it is up to you to bring them to fruition. Life is not a dress rehearsal so make the most of it. We are so happy that we decided to move to France and live the Good Life.

The weather is back to its usual summer sun today, we slept in this morning (probably because it was so much cooler last night) so I think the walk round the lake will be done this evening.

 

[frenchfancy]

we decided to take the bull by the horns and do the lake walk this morning, albeit a lot later and hotter than when we normally do it. But at least it is done and I have no excuses and my daily fix of endorphins is surging round my body.

 

[frenchfancy]

I have been busy this afternoon constructing and decorating the cake I baked yesterday. Here is the link to my grandfather clock cake. I hope you like it.

 

[wheesht]

Aaaw I can't see the link! Am getting my cake fix just by looking at all your lovely creations : )

You are very talented.

 

[frenchfancy]

grandfather clock birthday cake by frenchfancy on Cake Central

I hope you can see my creation now x

 

[CHRISR]

Hi FF Your cakes are fab - don't know how you can resist

 

[frenchfancy]

tis easy to resist the cakes when they are not for me lol. It would be a different matter if they were to stay in our house, but they are all requests by friends, so off they go.

We had another big storm last night and it was chucking it down this morning, so there was a big debate.....to walk round the lake or not? It wasn't cold just very wet. So we decided to go and take a big umbrella with us. We have just got back and now feel very virtuous that we still did our walk.

I have been on the scales and am very pleased that I have now lost a total of 7 kilos, or 16 lbs. I can actually tell a bit of a difference now as my tight trousers are not quite as tight, they are not too big yet, but now fit! It is such a boost and I feel great today.

I am now cake free for a while and so I think that it is about time that I got to the bottom of the ironing pile, especially as its still chucking it down and too wet to do any work in the garden. We do have a lot of veggies that could do with harvesting and preserving, but not today.

 

[frenchfancy]

Well I got the ironing done and am now at a bit of a loss on how to keep my hands out of my mouth, hence why I am on here trying to keep busy. I will be lurking and reading posts to keep me inspired. OH how I hate not having something to keep my hands busy. Think I shall go get a large glassof diet coke.

 

[Maintainer]

Do you knit FF? Enjoy crossword puzzles? Both unfortunately sit down occupations, but things I used to do (and ought to take up again!) when feeling picky! (Or paint my nails, have a bath, brush my teeth... the list is endless!)

Hope you got through the weekend ok.