FH&C
'From the Editor' - previous ramblings! |
Dec 2009 - April 2010 |
March 26th Still waiting! 
Yes for those of you following, I'm still in the barn, waiting on alert!
Will keep you posted.........
March 23th 2010
Just had to add this little interim note to share with all you readers. Have spent the most marvellous week, no not in the Maldives, but here at home in the Loire on, 'Foal Alert'. It continues to be an on-going experience at the moment, one which I shall keep you informed of and post some photos when the happy event actually takes place. Apart from the side effects of sleep deprivation, which I have no time to pander to, I have to say it is always a time of the year that I thoroughly enjoy.
Sleeping next to the stable, where I can hear every movement from the mare, and watching on CCTV, so as to observe and not to interfere unless required, is a unique experience. Her quietly crunching the hay and dozing, sensibly conserving her energy. During the night, which is a little chilly at times still, you can witness and hear the true country side.
The Owls in the Big Oak, calling to each other and the occassional thumps of the rabbit, in warning. At other times totally silent, the dark star filled sky stretching into forever depths of inky blue. No light pollution here! The new day bringing light at 6 am and the wonderful feeling of the first heat in the sunrays. Still so early with the dew and laced spiders webs gently bending the grass. Its a glorious feeling, maybe of freedom, almost a time when I can forget life's responsibilities for a little and sit quietly, just the mare and me, sharing the quiet time before the day continues. Remarkably magical!
March 17th
Let's have a social and commercial get together!
For far too long the winter has been with us. Suddenly in a matter of hours it seems, that has all changed. The birds are singing, snow drops and daffodils are erupting through the previously hard ground. The horses are casting their coats! Our windows are open and the sun is streaming through into the office. Real warm sunshine, the type that persuades you to take the coffee outside and sit for a while, with eyes closed and smile. How the sun changes the mood.
Loving all the seasons, I must confess to a certain preference for Spring. Before all the annoying flies arrive, or it becomes so hot that the ground becomes hard, the grass is non existent and its too hot to do focus on work during the day. Its a positive time Spring, with plenty to look forward to.
At the moment there is so much activity here, with interviews and research and wonderful people to meet every day. Each day is passing in a blur as we apply content to the site, in preparation for the new re branding launch. Clients and contacts are supportive and encouraging and the energy is very buoyant and forward thinking. At last the doom and gloom of last year is passing, with the renewed drive to recover and progress.
The plans for a FH&C.com day are coming together. How lovely to get clients and contributors together. For readers and customers to meet in person and talk French Horse & Country. The logistics of arranging this to enable as many people as possible to attend is mammoth. Traveling and dates and speakers will all need to be considered, but what an enjoyable and also productive time it will be. France is not renowned for its keen marketing and promotional abilities and so it will be a very useful medium to engage this missing link. Both social and commercial, the two worlds can meet and all to help celebrate the success of FH&C.com.
PS How wonderful for us all to appear in Horse & Hound this week. Forever the 'Bible of riders' its so encouraging to have proof that our site really works. Read more....
March 1st 2010
Some days ago being without electricity and phone lines, I put pen to paper. This in itself was a strange phenomenom in these days of high tech facilties.We had been without power for some three days and still did not know when it would resume. We were not alone in this situation. Many had been far worse hit. The cause - Xynthia, the Atlantic Storm. The fiercest to strike France for ten years. Recording my thoughts by candlelight was a strange experience, that soon became totally impossible. Shadows do not lend themselves to easy vision!
A few days later and with the storm behind us all, the clear up of the aftermath is in full force. It was not until the power returned and we could read on the internet just how terrible the ravages of the storm had been and the death toll was rising with some people still missing as I publish. One night had brought tragic loss to families and devestation to lives.
There will no doubt be blame laid at someone feet but we here had been frightened and overwhelmed by the sheer force and power of the storm. The noise of the wind was absolutely deafening. With animals outside we had to make the decision whether to venture out to ensure they were safe or to stay put. Was it safe to go outside? Debris could be seen flying around and the roofing being ripped away from the building could not only be seen but heard. If I ventured out, what could I practically do? The chances of being hit by the flying debris at that point were very high. The decision to stay safe with the children and hope, was made by following my head and not my heart, although it was a very frought night spent waiting for the winds to abate and calm return. I hoped dawn would miraculously bring some respite but it was not until at least 10 the next day that it lessened somewhat.
So there will be plenty of postings and black type written on the storm, no need to go into detail here. We have posted a Press Release on the story ourselves. One thing that struck me though, as a consequence of the event, was the effect that the loss of electricity and power had on us all. Not just from a practical point of view either. Yes, of course cooking and heating and domestic life was severely effected but we all hoped that sooner rather than later this would be rectified and life would return to normal. What hit me though was the loss of communication with the outside world. So used to picking up the phone, emailing and researching online had I become, that suddenly without this facility I felt cut off and lost. It had not occured to me before just how dependant my life had become on such modern tools. Resorting to the 'portable' (mobile) also did not last long as without the ability to charge, it soon became useless, not even affording access to contact numbers as the battery quickly went flat. How did we all manage before such techno times? Could I ever live a life without such gadjets again? Honestly I think not!
Till next time...........
February 28th
With spring just around the corner, its usual at this time of year to clear out the old and bring in the new. Maybe decorate or think about moving house. With the seemingly endless year of 2009 behind us all and the prospect of a brighter and hopefully financially better year ahead, the need to change and move forward is strong.
Many readers are emailing and asking "Is the trend for people moving to France still active or has that boom time passed and are expats fleeing back to their homeland in droves?
With a sudden influx of properties for sale being sent to us, vendors are asking if the market is still there. Whispers gather momentum in villages and on Forums and as more join the debates then its often difficult to separate the truth from the gossip. The Forum wranglings are not truly indicative of real life, as anonymous writing allows scripture to be versed to suit the authors own opinions and arguments at times. Therefore creating an imaginary concept to meet the strongest posters preferences. Sheep will follow!
So are expats leaving France? Are people buying in France? Are times changing? The answer we have found is quite simply - No, times are not changing. There are people returning to their homeland. There always has been and they will continue to do so. Numbers have not dramatically increased. Perhaps those chasing the dream, that came to France, ill educated and unprepared are saving face by using the economical down turn a good reason for returning. Genuine returns due to the exchange rate and cost of living are an unfortunate result of such times. It seems though that media reporting can fan the flames quickly, leading to the appearance of mass fleeing. Human nature is drawn to drama and so stories of unsettled and desperate or unhappy expats is perhaps more what we have become used to in recent times.
However there are still overseas buyers looking for properties in France. If anything, there are more actively seeking an escape from the grey and depressing doom and gloom. Those fortunate to sell are snapping up good buys. It is true that prices have dropped throughout the country, this though is relative as sellers have been forced to be more realistic. Buyers know that they can offer a lower price which will often be accepted. The exception being french sellers, who never asked inflated prices and will stick to their guns on price, even at the risk of not selling. Such is French attitude sometimes!
So our findings show that much is as it always has been. It is more media hype, speculation and twitterings that highlight the demise of the French Property Industry and the shattering of the French Dream. Our advice would be, as before, research and don't rush. France will suit some and not others, everyone has individual needs and criteria. The Dream is still here and will continue for eternity. Just ensure yours is a positive one and not an expensive and dramatic mistake. Bonne Route!
February 15th
I have just returned from a few days in Paris. What a wonderful trip it was, both on a business and personal level. Travelling back home I had plenty of time to think and reflect, a luxury that a normal working day rarely affords me!
Lost in thought, I was comparing the experience of spending time in the'Big City' and my life in the French Countryside. Being fantastically fortunate enough to enjoy both I could really appreciated the two very different worlds. And how different they are. One, cosmopolitan, chic, hurried and dynamic. The other, rustic, traditional, unhurried and modest.
"So which did I prefer" I asked myself? 
The answer actually is very indulgent but in truth,
.......both worlds.
They compliment each other and balance each other and if I can continue to experience and sample a slice of each then I shall be a happy English speaking resident living in France.
A Bientôt!
January 26th
Gradually this site is coming together. Its encouraging how much positive support we are receiving from new readers, companies, both great and small and 'old faithfuls'. Its always a leap of faith to change something that works, in the act of growth and development but fortunately this leap is working. We really appreciate all the emails and comments being sent in and promise we look at them all. The Team have always held the philosophy that this site will evolve to meet the demands of its readers and so for us its great to be able to include our readers in our pages and promote what you do for others to benefit.
The Horse talk section is thriving in its new home and continues to provide valuable information and advice to those equestrians out there. The new Country Life is avidly read. Covering Wine, Lifestyles, French Chic and Cottage Industries to name but a few topics, its an exciting and interesting project. Interestingly for us is the huge audience of readers in America who seem to be enthralled by the French Chic pages. Living in France is a dream for many. Some achieve this and some find the dream sadly lacking. Maybe our content will help educate and inspire, providing true life representation of French Horse & Country Living.
Keep your thoughts coming and thanks again to everyone for logging in and enjoying the FH&C.com site.
Le Prochaine Fois!
January 5th
Writing a few words leading up to Christmas in France, the snow was falling in many places. Here we are just a few days into the New Year and the threat of snow is looming over us again. Record low temperatures they warn. The news back home on UK television tells the stories of people with no central heating and how the salt supplies have been depleted. Trains, planes and automobiles have all come to a standstill. Here in France everything carries on the same as usual, in part because there are no gas main supplies in the country. If you need gas you buy it in bottles at the local supermarket in advance and wood is in such bountiful supply that most houses have wood burning stoves for heating. Rustic charm and facilities! Roads are very rarely gritted, if its icy then stay at home! It will pass. Such a relaxed look at life and practical lifestyle must surely be good for the heart or blood pressure, as long as you remembered to get the bread stocked up before hand!
Cordialement!
1st January 2010
Best Wishes for a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.
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20th Dec With less than a week to go to the big day itself, I'm seriously wondering when I'll be able to get to the shops and do some serious shopping. In this rural French community, the commercial Christmas does not happen. Its very much the traditional family time together, rather than big presents and posh frocks! There was no school nativity plays, which I secretly slightly missed, instead all the village children got together at 11am Sunday and decorated the tree in the centre of the village with empty cardboard boxes, decorated at home with shiny wrapping paper and bows. Nearly all the villages have them, spruce trees of varying sizes, weighed down with the childrens efforts. Blue Peter and 'here's one I made earlier' springs to mind! With the very timely snow, ensuring that the countryside is transformed into a carpet of glistening white and the supermarkets stocking up with seafood - lobsters, crabs and boxes and boxes of oysters, then all is ready for a truly meaningful family christmas at home in France. +Plus!
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12th Dec
Took the children to see 'A Christmas Carol'- first time to a French Cinema - it was actually very scary, especially when my phone went off at a real tense moment and frightened everyone off their chairs. I was pleasantly suprised at the 'multi plex interior' as from outside it appears to be a tiny run down hall. Must go again, although will choose something that does not give them nightmares!
Top Gear has just finished, have to keep up with the UK TV, its not raining for once so going out to do 'late waters' and put the horses to bed. X Factor finalist will be chosen and then add a bit on Twitter 'FHCcom'. Amazing marketing site. Great way to find all sorts of interesting people.
looking forward to a french monday Morning and all that the week ahead will bring......
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by EMail on editor@frenchhorseandcountry.com
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