Summer for the Expats

In the South of France, the months of August and September are usually very hot and sunny and it is the time when many feel it would be nice to visit cooler climes. This proves impossible as it is the time when friends and family want to spend their holidays and where better and cheaper than visiting us Expats in this area with free accommodation!
For me it is a real pleasure to see my son and daughter and partners and also a great chance to spend real time watching my grandchildren grow up.
I love to see the swimming pool, that costs me a fortune to upkeep all year, being properly used and the real pleasure it gives to the children.
The kitchen is permanently turning out food and my wife is slaving to keep up with it and has little time to herself.
For myself, my job is to keep the fridge full on my long suffering wife’s instructions. To do this I get to the supermarket and the local shops at 8.30 a.m. when they open, as they are far too busy during the day, and after that take our dog, Micha (a Belgian Shepherd) for a walk in a cool place before the heat gets too much.
The evening are spent either eating out with the family or friends or once again my wife prepares food! Not every night is like this as our visitors often go their own ways and spend the day on the beach, but often pop in for a cool swim afterwards.
This way of life continues for most of the summer and the Expats have little time to keep up friendships and this has to wait until the beginning of September when the schools return in the UK. After that peace reigns, the traffic becomes bearable the restaurant service improves and we don’t have to play golf at 7.30 a.m. to miss the heat!

Mr.L. 01/08/09