Coincidentally, because the siesta didn’t happen... I’ve been writing down ideas for the Christmas break. To begin before new year. I’m glad you approve... for once I just might be on the right road!
And two things re the French... the native speakers love our terrible accents and that we make an effort to converse. My advice is stop trying and just talk... it doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or you haven’t conjugated the verb, it’s all practice and it will come.
And, if I can help at all let me know.. I’d be glad to.
Wonderful to read this inspiring post. Glad that the break helped your writing. And as for the French (I used to be a French teacher 😬) my word of the day is "moissonneuse-batteuse" which is a combine-harvester - very useful (or possibly not) 😂
That is THE best word ... we needed it when the maize was being cut in the fields next to our meadow. I am so looking forward to your teaching helping my writing even more, Matt.
I can't quite imagine when I might use that word, though I do live in deeply rural France (well, Brittany), but I'm really pleased to have learned it Matt!
Thanks so much for commenting, Debs ... I so want to be good at French, and we will improve. It's just about pushing ourselves through the uncomfortable moments.
Thank you so much; we love the adventure and the need to keep learning. It keeps us fresh and on our toes. We'd hate to look back with 'if onlys'. We're lucky that our families support our choices and we are in tune about what we want from life.
I love cycling, too. I used to bike every day when I lived in Washington, DC, but when I moved to Japan, I slowed a bit. After my girlfriend and I rented bikes more and more often, we decided it was time to buy, which we did in September, and now it's impossible to get me off my bicycle.
It has been so liberating putting ourselves into a position where we have to cycle. It is good that we're both into it. We have some mad plans for pedalling next year, Bill ... and I am very envious of the notion of cycling in Japan.
Great points, all of them! So glad to have found you here :) I hope you'll also visit me over at Moments, where I share photography + stories about moments of connection in nature and everyday life.
I love the premise that fresh starts can begin now and have always felt the New Year has an intolerable weight of expectation. I love too how you are beginning afresh in so many ways, you are an inspiration and your post cheered no end!
I love that you are so dedicated to cycling as the primary means of transport - you must get to see so much more of where you live and the people in it
It seems that we are a recognisable talking point at the marché and the boulangerie. In light of my clumsy French, it is probably just as well they are laughing with us as we arrive frozen or dripping wet in the rain. But, absolutely, the network of small villages and roads is a delight. We can turn left or right, travel 'the long way round' to our pastries and see so much more than we would from inside a steamed up cab! I love it more than I let on. Today I let the headwind get in my headspace, hence the love/hate! Thanks for peeking in, Mark
Coincidentally, because the siesta didn’t happen... I’ve been writing down ideas for the Christmas break. To begin before new year. I’m glad you approve... for once I just might be on the right road!
And two things re the French... the native speakers love our terrible accents and that we make an effort to converse. My advice is stop trying and just talk... it doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or you haven’t conjugated the verb, it’s all practice and it will come.
And, if I can help at all let me know.. I’d be glad to.
Thank you for the kind offer ... and yes, hell YES to just speaking. I throw in the occasional "Je connais quelques mots mais je panique"
Wonderful to read this inspiring post. Glad that the break helped your writing. And as for the French (I used to be a French teacher 😬) my word of the day is "moissonneuse-batteuse" which is a combine-harvester - very useful (or possibly not) 😂
That is THE best word ... we needed it when the maize was being cut in the fields next to our meadow. I am so looking forward to your teaching helping my writing even more, Matt.
I can't quite imagine when I might use that word, though I do live in deeply rural France (well, Brittany), but I'm really pleased to have learned it Matt!
I am going to try and throw it into conversation with Fred Moreau our local farmer!
Aaah, what a gentle reminder of how to get back in touch with what's important.
Breaks / holidays are good for that - you realise what you love and don't love when you take a break.
I understand your struggle with French, and admire you for it. I have a stock phrase that I use when en France too! But I always try!
Thanks so much for commenting, Debs ... I so want to be good at French, and we will improve. It's just about pushing ourselves through the uncomfortable moments.
Your choices and your lifestyle are so very refreshing. Will you be sharing some rain and wind soaked photos?
Thank you so much; we love the adventure and the need to keep learning. It keeps us fresh and on our toes. We'd hate to look back with 'if onlys'. We're lucky that our families support our choices and we are in tune about what we want from life.
I love cycling, too. I used to bike every day when I lived in Washington, DC, but when I moved to Japan, I slowed a bit. After my girlfriend and I rented bikes more and more often, we decided it was time to buy, which we did in September, and now it's impossible to get me off my bicycle.
It has been so liberating putting ourselves into a position where we have to cycle. It is good that we're both into it. We have some mad plans for pedalling next year, Bill ... and I am very envious of the notion of cycling in Japan.
And I'm envious about your rural France cycling. We should swap. I think there's a movie idea here. ;-)
We’re game!
Great points, all of them! So glad to have found you here :) I hope you'll also visit me over at Moments, where I share photography + stories about moments of connection in nature and everyday life.
That sounds very much our kind of thing, Sydney. Thank you for the kind words and the invitation.
Love your honesty.
Thank you, big hugs x
I love the premise that fresh starts can begin now and have always felt the New Year has an intolerable weight of expectation. I love too how you are beginning afresh in so many ways, you are an inspiration and your post cheered no end!
That's such a lovely comment, thank you. Very encouraging for us.
I love that you are so dedicated to cycling as the primary means of transport - you must get to see so much more of where you live and the people in it
It seems that we are a recognisable talking point at the marché and the boulangerie. In light of my clumsy French, it is probably just as well they are laughing with us as we arrive frozen or dripping wet in the rain. But, absolutely, the network of small villages and roads is a delight. We can turn left or right, travel 'the long way round' to our pastries and see so much more than we would from inside a steamed up cab! I love it more than I let on. Today I let the headwind get in my headspace, hence the love/hate! Thanks for peeking in, Mark
Always a pleasure