Since Monday 16th March, here in France we've had our freedom severely limited; much like most of the rest of the world.
In all those months I've hardly been more than about 20 Kms from home, and even then only once a week; or even every two weeks. I should add that we live way out in the country, and those 20 Kms are the distance to our nearest decent shops.
With a second wave of Covid now knocking at our doors, I'm getting pretty pissed off. We are all now confronted with new restrictions, to which we will naturally adhere. The weather has turned foul too, making matters seem worse.
I won't be stocking-up with bog paper, or baked beans, or pasta. Luckily we have most of what we need, and we also have plenty of dry wood in stock. We'll simply have to hunker down and hope that my local Leclerc supermarket will have a decent supply of quality Turkeys, Sprouts, and Potatoes around Dec 23nd. Christmas Day is on a Friday this year, so no weekend panic buying. I can see no further than that.
Also, bloody Brexit has raised its nasty head again, and the uncertainly surrounding 2021 is ever present. In fact I shall do nothing, and simply hope that they don't notice that I'm still here.
So, I'm in a sort of limbo. Stuck at home, and possibly about to be booted out of France and have my simple eremitic life-style taken from me. It's crazy; I voted to 'remain', and in many ways I'm the ideal foreign resident. I import all my funds, I've never been a drain on the French social services, and I'm a law abiding citizen; which is not something one can say about all ex-pats.
I'm not happy; in fact I'm becoming bloody annoyed (internally).
Feeling your pain. Sharing your limbo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible year it's been, and although I'm usually an optimist; I don't think we've yet seen the worst.
DeleteHere there is a total lockdown for at least two weeks. The farthest you can get is a mile from home.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was just reading about Israel's problems. It looks like we're all in the same boat.
DeleteI just had to look up eremitic.
ReplyDeleteHermit-like. Like me!
DeleteI was surprised to read that your local supermarket will have a decent supply of turkeys and sprouts on Dec 23 as I did not think that was typical French Christmas food.
ReplyDeleteThey sell very few, so when I see them, I always buy two. The French go more for Capons. Sprouts are a new thing here too, but I recently saw an elderly gentleman buying some. I was quite surprised.
DeleteI can't remember when I last ate turkey.
DeleteI will have a brace of pheasants: one for Christmas Day hot, and one cold for Boxing Day. Life will go on.
ReplyDeleteI always buy two Turkeys. They're nothing like the 'Bernard Mathews' monsters, but free range, and no more than 5 kilos. One will be for Dec 25th, and the other for Easter.
DeleteI have decided that this year, I'll feed the animals, have a steak and forget Christmas. I wish I knew what the motive is for this collective insanity. It seems incredible that half the world can have drunk from the cup of loony juice but it seems that way.
ReplyDeleteI've never missed a 'traditional' Christmas, and will make sure we have one this year too. There will only be the two of us, plus lots of others on Skype, but we'll make the best of it.
DeleteThat's the spirit.
DeleteUnderstand your apprehension, but can they actually kick you out? After so long, have you not acquired French citizenship? I'm sure there must have been ex-pats living there before the EU came into being?
ReplyDeleteThe EU was formed in 1993, and I have lived here since 1972. Originally we had residence papers, but after a while they became unnecessary as we were all EU citizens. I don't yet know if they'll kick us out; but it does seem likely. The UK and the EU don't seem to be the best of friends, but they must remember that all acts are reciprocal.
DeleteIf this means UK will reciprocate by kicking out all EU nationals, I could foresee lots of happy fun ensuing. I doubt if even the French would contemplate such idiocy.
DeleteWe can blame the EU and not us because the EU are the ones making all these difficulties in negotiating, not us.
DeleteFirst we supposed to be able to apply for our cartes de séjour on 1 July, then 1 October and now - surprise - it's been pushed back yet again as they aren't ready. But if you've been here that long it shouldn't be a problem to get a carte de séjour anyway. I'm not particularly worried about it to be honest.
DeleteFirstly Treaders, thank you for not slagging me off when joining this thread. I have come to expect to be slagged off whenever I make any kind of statement that may not be the accepted normm, particularly of British Remain voters. Like you, as someone living permanent in France I would not be particularly worried about it and I am surprised that Cro expressed any kind of worry today, it is not him at all. It is all a tit for tat business and a game that the EU are playing with Great Britain and they, the EU are still smarting from the vote that went the way of leaving the EU and they have the heebie jeebies about the future of the EU without our contribution to the coffers. Quite frankly I don't think Barnier really wants to say goodbye to the expats but it is about keeping face and for all the wrong reasons at the end of the day.
DeleteThe weather just makes it so much worse. When the sun is shining that small world seems a little brighter . Long term expats here don't seem so worried. An English friend of mine just renewed by her residence permit, indefinitely.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest thing is her driver's licence. She now has to get a Greek one which means official translation and much filling out of papers and greasing of Palms. I hope as a property owner you won't have as much trouble as you think
I suppose I could go through all the rigmarole, but I really can't face it. I shall simply hide away, and hope that no-one notices me.
DeleteIt's going to be a winter of discontent, without any sight of Maggie. Spending summer days at home was oh so simple, Our supermarkets are already being stripped of items, stupid people, we are much the same as you, sit tight and wait and see the outcome.
ReplyDeleteHampshire is a very pleasant part of England, you could do a lot worse than be confined to barracks there. We are much the same; I shouldn't really complain.
DeleteYou have a right to rant. Put it down to COVID stress. I hate the way young people, especially school students, have been cheated out of years, but some of us don't have a lot of years left and it is not great for us to lose a year....or more.
ReplyDeleteI hate the stupidity and belligerence of those who think that the guidelines are not for them. We are all fed up but they are prolonging the agony for everyone, including themselves.
DeleteTheir intolerance is spreading the virus; they are their own worst enemies.
DeleteThese are very hard days. We all live in fear and anxiety about what’s to come. Besides the virus that shows no sign of slowing down and has now muted into a more contagious disease, the UK has Brexit and the US has tRump.
ReplyDeleteNovember Trump, December Christmas is banned, January Brexit. With COVID on the rampage again, things don't look good.
DeleteCro, I hope you find enough paperwork to make the authorities happy. I cannot imagine you anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteMy main problem is health insurance. The UK refuses to give me the paperwork I need so that I can be insured here. If I returned to the UK it would all be free, so I can't understand why they are happy to pay for me there, whereas here I would pay for myself.
DeleteThere is much worldwide that is unsatisfactory and less than ideal. I acknowledge this entirely. That said, I immediately turn to the fact that I love my home, garden, dog and small family. I feel I have everything I need and can just go along for the ride. Things will sort/reset eventually and I look forward to that day. Until then, I can live quite happily. If you suddenly leave France, don't you have a home in the UK and this might just be a little detour until you get back to France. Right now, life is full of detours.
ReplyDeleteThere is much to be dissatisfied about. That said, you (and me too) have a wonderful home, garden, family and pets. Your surroundings are beautiful. That said, if, by chance, you leave France couldn't you live in the UK until things get sorted? I'd look at this as a temporary detour until you return to France. Life is full of detours. As Rachel says, this detour might not even happen.
ReplyDeleteI keep saying to Lady Magnon that it'll never happen, but she's very pessimistic about it, and would be happy to return to our home in England. It's a matter of 'wait and see'.
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