Pete Garwood
@Wedders
English expat in France
Forum posts
47
About me
English
Lives in between Vaison and Malaucene
Speaks English French
Registration: 28 October 2008
Activity
do those of you living abroad plan to return to your home countries? by ECS
I moved abroad with no specific plan of how long it would be but as things develop it's looking more and more likely that my life won't include returning back to my home country. So I'm wondering, are those of you living abroad now planning to ...
10 years since my last 24 hour visit to the UK. It was as bad as I expected. If I never go again it'll be too soon! Read More
If you could live anywhere, where would you choose? by The Happy Migrant
Personally I am loving everything that Australia has to offer at the moment. Kama
France is losing its charm. I want to get back to Thailand as soon as possible! Read More
Living costs in Thailand by Robson
Hi all, I am thinking about a move to Thailand, is it posible to live off 120 pounds a month and maybe earn a bit more working there ? Many thanks for any info,advice and tips etc.
In a word, no. Firstly you can't work there without a work visa, and the Thais are very strict indeed about handing these out. Secondly half of your £120, or roughly 6,000 baht would go on a cheap and very nasty room. And you would have to take an ... Read More
Female personal trainer available at a time and place to suit you! by fitforlife
Hi! IÂ’m a 24 year old Frenchie, and have just returned from the UK where I lived in Manchester working as a Personal Trainer. Now that I am back in France, I am setting myself up as a freelance PT, completely mobile and as time flexible as you ...
Bonne chance! But you're the wrong side of France for me, much as I'm in desperate need of getting fit :( Pete, in the Vaucluse ... Read More
How to make friends in France by expat.com
We have been talking about loneliness when you are abroad, let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in France :top: Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in France?? Thanks in ...
I'm currently in PACA too, but given your mention of the Riviera it would probably take a good week to jog down to you from the Vaucluse, in which case I would be unlikely to be good company by the time I got there! Read More
Reverse Culture Shock by Guesposter58
Hmm. All last week I was back in the UK (mixing some work, with a short break). The last time I was back there was in November last year, and also the previous August. One thing I noticed this time though was I seemed to be suffering more from ...
Definitely felt the same way last time I was in the UK nearly ten years ago. Haven't been back since, don't intend going back unless I have no choice. Cold, unfriendly, hostile, stressed, rude and miserable people compared to the Thais where I am ... Read More
Home Exchange to Provence or French Riviera by jammydodger
Hi All, First time blog on this site, so bear with me! Been having a pig of a time trying to arrange a home exchange to anywhere in Provence or French Riviera. We're a family of 4 (2 adults/2 girls aged 16 & 11) living in Glasgow and hoping to ...
Best of luck JD! Read More
Home Exchange to Provence or French Riviera by jammydodger
Hi All, First time blog on this site, so bear with me! Been having a pig of a time trying to arrange a home exchange to anywhere in Provence or French Riviera. We're a family of 4 (2 adults/2 girls aged 16 & 11) living in Glasgow and hoping to ...
Hmm I registered our home in Provence once with a house exchange site, but was looking for a break in Thailand at the time. No offence, but Glasgow wasn't the exotic destination I had in mind! You just have to get lucky I suppose, I don't think ... Read More
Do and don't in France by expat.com
Are you living in France? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in France? Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in France? Thanks!
ChapelGirl, good points, but just one minor thing - as an (obvious) adult, you wouldn't vousvoyer any kids under say 14/15 years, and usually up to 16/18 depending on the circumstances, appearance of age, etc. It would almost invariably be 'tu' ..... Read More
Is it safe to travel to Thailand now? by tiger25
I've planned a month long trip to Thailand and Laos in January. Should I consider changing my plans and not visiting Thailand due to the recent political unrest? Thanks!
As Mike says the place to get the info is from the bloggers on the spot. These are mainly written for free of course, not to sell papers with soundbite news, so most tell things as they are. Mine gives off mixed messages - I think there's more to ... Read More
Cost of living in Thailand by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Thailand. Don't forget to mention where in Thailand you are living. How much does it cost to live in Thailand? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares (tube, ...
Just a quick update. The £GBP now buys about 52 Baht compared to 65 three months ago. This obviously effects people like myself bringing money into the country each month. Locally costs related to the oil price have dropped for example diesel for ... Read More
What's going on in Thailand? expat point of view by Julien
Hi everybody, I've found an interresting article on channel4.com http://www.channel4.com/news/blogs/19_thailand_blog.html (They're quoting several ½ûÂþÌìÌà members) Can somebody help us to understand? Is this coup a "good" thing or not? What's ...
Normal service has been resumed, we are just missing a few tourists! Well actually I am not missing them but I know the Thai economy is. Life goes on as it always does, you'll find the usual welcome and some great bargains as well.Mike pretty much ... Read More
How to make friends in France by expat.com
We have been talking about loneliness when you are abroad, let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in France :top: Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in France?? Thanks in ...
Pursue your hobbies and interests even if your fluency is not great. If you jog a little, enter a race. There's no easier way to meet healthy people than in a sport you enjoy. It's a natural point of conversation and no one is suspicious of someone ... Read More
What's the weather like? by NicoleB
Care to share what the weather is like where you are? This was taken yesterday on our walk. nicoleb.org/b2/media/blogs/NicoleB/Hungary_nature/walk%20fields%20and%20sky.jpg Crisp, cold & very clean air. Heck, I enjoy this a lot, even though I ...
I loved the press release ref the weather for Chiang Mai in northern Thailand a few days ago... "Prajon Pratsakul, chief of Chiang Mai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said the disaster zone was declared on Dec 1 after the districts were ... Read More
FrogBlogging from Chiang Mai by Wedders
Hardly a 'Frog' really, though after a couple of decades in France I was beginning to be treated like an adopted Frenchman. So it was time to move on - eight years since I'd seen my native home (the country of Yorkshire), but I can't say I missed ...
Not so long here, But I've definitely been around for too long generally speaking! Now - sadly - preparing to leave Thailand for a few months to go to France :( ... but back again in May!! Read More