Thanks for stopping by. This site started off as a sort of diary of life after our move to France. When we first arrived I enjoyed around 18 months of time just to be with my then young children. Since then the pace of life has picked up: my children are starting to form their own lives around school and friends, I have a business to run, and a new one just launching – plus we still have a house to build. This means the blog is quite far down the list of things to do, so now I occasionally post about general “Life in France” stuff but more often I share routes and write-ups from walks, generally suitable for families, and any cycle routes I find – also with a family-friendly slant. If you want to scroll through the whole thing, hop over to the Blog page. Or you can dive straight into a category that interests you using the links below.
Latest Posts
- A Long weekend at a Naturist Village in France
First of all let me say I am not a naturist and have zero interest in wandering around in the nude. Further to that, if anyone had ever told me I’d spend a weekend at… - What is a voie Verte?
The voie vertes are a network of “green” routes suitable for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, importantly traffic-free. The criss-cross across France usually following converted old railway lines, sometimes combined with sections of dedicated cycle-paths…
Life in France
What is a voie Verte?
The voie vertes are a network of “green” routes suitable for walkers, cyclists, and horse…
Choosing a Cost-efficient House for Winter in the South Of France
When we first had the idea to move here permanently it was 28 degrees, a…
3 Things you Need to Know before moving to (Rural) France
We’re 6 years into our move. Personally I still feel very much like a visitor…
What is “La Canicule”?
Anyone traveling to, within or living in France will be well aware that this week…
How to Survive the French Summer Holiday with Small Children
It’s “les grandes vacances”! A time when much of France draws to a standstill, unless…
Becoming Fluent in French: Listening is learning
In a previous job my manager commented that I was a “bursty worker.” I asked…
Occitanie Guide for Families
Circuit 5: Espereza to Campagne-sur-Aude and back via Granes
This is a ride graded Blue on the VTT Aude Pyrenees website. It’s listed under…
Covid-friendly Locations in the South of France: Swimming Lakes
Ah, 2020. Who knew come the holidays we’d still be living our own version of…
Another Summer, Survived. Vive La Rentrée!
Phew! Eight weeks ago the two small people said farewell to their teachers and their…
Walking the Gorges de la Frau in the Ariege
Our First Camp in the Mountains: Orlu, Ariege
Camping. We all had a lovely time on our first camping trip so promised the…
Riding the Voie Verte from Lavelanet-Mirepoix (Part 2)
With the last week of the holidays looming, I really wanted to get out and…
Walks
First Summit Series: Pic des Rives, 11340 Ariege
This is a great walk if you’re short of time or looking for something short…
A Family Walk in Search of Giant Pine Trees (Les Sapins Geant)
We first tried this walk in early spring (2018). It was warm and sunny in…
A Walk to the Refuge du Chioula
Ever since we moved to this stunningly beautiful part of the world, I’ve been hankering…
Walking the Gorges de la Frau in the Ariege
Walking the Sentier des Plâtriers
We did this walk over a year ago. As the pics I took were with…
A Short and Sensible (But Not Fast or Easy) Walk Around Bugarach
The Plan When a friend suggested joining them for a walk naturally I agreed. We…
Bike Rides
Circuit 5: Espereza to Campagne-sur-Aude and back via Granes
This is a ride graded Blue on the VTT Aude Pyrenees website. It’s listed under…
A Wild Camp Bike Adventure Around Lac de Montbel
After last year’s microadventure there was no way we were getting through the next summer…
Riding the Voie Verte From Foix to Saint Girons (Part 2)
In Part 1 I wrote about our experience of cycling to the campsite on the…
Riding the Voie Verte From Foix to Saint Girons (Part 1)
Summer holidays means microadventures! After a few single day rides on the more local-to-me Lavelanet-Mirepoix…
Blue Route MTB (VTT) Challenge!
Okay, so it’s not an official challenge, but I have set myself a goal of…
Are you looking for a cycling route in France?
Finding a great (and often waymarked) cycle route in France is easy, if you know…
Everything Else
A Long weekend at a Naturist Village in France
First of all let me say I am not a naturist and have zero interest…
A Long Year where it was all about Covid topped off by Winter
Where to start? This blog was supposed to be about our life here in France…
What, no Carte de Sejour?
We left the UK almost two years ago to the day, running from the island…
La Rentrée 2018
It’s that time of year for the second time in our lives as parents. Yesterday…
Why 8-weeks isn’t enough – and blogging is back on
Last year, as I wrote in an earlier post, I really struggled with the long…
A Day in the Woods
Yesterday, except for the bit where I lost my bank card and DS screamed the…