Bonjour!!'

Nous Sommes Les Whitbys!!!

David, Michele, Matthew and Nathan!!

This blog has been set up so that friends and family from the U.K can keep in touch with what's happening in our new lives in France.

We moved to Villeneuve de Duras, South West France, on December 31st 2005. We had an emotional Christmas 2005 and had lots of sad farewells as we embarked on our new life.

Why France?

Those that had never been to this part of the world asked this question. Those that had, understood our reasons!! We wanted Matthew and Nathan to have the same safe and happy environment that we took for granted as children. We didn't like how the U.K was changing and we knew that things would gradually get worse and not necessarily better.

It was a lot for us to make the decision to take the plunge to leave, just as it is hard for others who have made the same move. We have said goodbye to a wonderful family and fantastic friends who we miss dearly, but we hope it will not be too long before they venture out to see us. So far, life is good and we are really happy we made the change. The french people are lovely and very kind and have a lot of patience with our struggle to speak the language. We have made friends with english and french alike, and so far we have a lovely circle of friends. The children are really happy. They have setled into school well and again, have made freinds with the other french children . They both go to school in Duras. Matthew is in the main school, whilst Nathan attends the Maternelle.

Villeneuve de Duras is a small village about 10 minutes drive from Duras. It has a boulangerie, a restaurant, a post office and a hardware store that has everthing you can think of, and which is ran by the Mayor (Mairie). Villeneuve de Duras is surrounded by Vines and fruit trees and beautiful countryside.

It's main attraction being the Windmill which can be seen from most of the village houses. It has a beautiful church which has a church bell that chimes on the hour and every half hour. This can be heard from all over. The villagers are a very welcoming community and they have accepted us with open arms. There are a few english families, but the majority are french, which is what we've moved to France for!!

This is the village school which holds two classes. It is part of a commune whereby the schools at nearby St Astier and St Sernin cater for the other children of other age groups.

The Windmill of Villeneuve de Duras

We are currently renting a village house which is over 400 years old and is made from the classic pierre stone.

It has a lovely view of the windmill, a huge garden and a pool. We will be here until our house is built. This will be quite some time!

You have to be patient in France!! We have bought a 2 acre plot which is in the middle of vineyards and we hope to build a main house for us and a small bungalow for our friends and family to stay in. The plot itself was covered in vines, but due to strict quotas here, they all have to be taken out bar 8. So we are nurturing our tiny little crop and who knows in September/October our fruit bowl will be filled with our own grapes. Chateau Whitby may be some time off!!!