“So what” - you might say - “is the title of this posting, to do with the value of the pound? Or indeed the cost of Marmite?” - Well…. however depressing this may seem when stretching ones British pension in France, it surely is time for cool reflection and a cathartic counting of blessings. Remember to click on these photos to get a larger view.
Our bridge view at Meilhan
To put this grim situation into perspective, I recall that when we arrived in France, one Euro cost us around 66 pence. It currently costs us about 90 pence – a decrease in our purchasing power of over 36% since 2005. There is an additional cost of living increase of which all the French are well aware, as we all cope with the global financial crisis and inflation. Our State pension, unhappily, is far from being index linked.
There is an apparent exodus, a mass repatriation of British house owning ex-pats who find themselves unable to stay here. Their dream has ended. One could say that the benign second English invasion of Aquitaine has been effectively stemmed. (for those, like me, who were unaware until now - England owned Aquitaine for three centuries between 1152 to 1442 ....Eleanor and all that!
Fortunately, 36% of a little is, you will agree, very little. Happily, we owe nothing and have neither mortgage nor car expenses and, for once in our lives, neither tax nor standing orders. However difficult as this may be, it is never-the-less a problem with only one obvious solution. It’s called “living within one’s means”. This, surely, is a lesson which everyone should learn (I never have before) and I guess it’s at the root of the current financial debacle in the UK and elsewhere, the cost of which our offspring will have to bear.
Our neighbouring Cat Pepsy, enjoying the Autumn leaves
Looking at the bright side - living at Meilhan-sur-Garonne is proving a success and a tremendous boost to our quality of life on board. To a certain extent it offsets the financial pain mentioned above. We love the village which is perched high above us and the beautiful countryside which surrounds us – so do Spud and Teddy who revel in the freedom and the plentiful variety of walks.
The village has everything we need. An excellent general store, boulangerie and a brilliant boucherie. There is a bank, a pharmacy and a splendid bus service costing only one euro each way into the town of Marmande with its market twice a week. Then there is the ancient town of La Reole-sur-Garonne about the same distance away which also has a great market on Saturdays.
Just a typical evening view
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Our mooring fee is reasonable and much less than last year at Castelsarrasin or indeed the year before at Capestang.
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We also have permanent WiFi connection which gives us non stop BBC radio 4, thus reducing considerably the cost of our previous “Orange” facility.
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This also means that our “Skype” facility works much better and greatly reduces, the cost of the telephone.
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I have created a separate fuel tank for our central heating system which used to be fed from the main engine fuel tank. This means that we can use domestic diesel at less than 2/3rds the price of engine fuel/diesel.
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Wood for the wood burner is plentiful and free. This means that the diesel central heating system is rarely needed excepting in really cold spells.
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There is a particularly good campsite adjacent to the port for which we have bought a great tent and facilities for visiting families, If they want a cheap visit……..
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The canal water is less polluted, (we can even see the bottom of the canal) and there is a healthy fish stock. There is less hull corrosion and less need to re-paint the hull for another year and, for the first time in France, we have correct polarity for our shore line electricity supply. (don’t ask for technical details!)
The best butcher in the world, Our very useful general store, La Reole Market, My piano bar at the Capitaierie
Meilhan-sur-Garonne has something about it which is very appealing to us, quite apart from these obvious facilities. We seem to have become involved with so many people, both French and English. We want to stay here; for it to be our home and base to which we shall always return. I am very lucky to have found a French friend who is teaching me daily, the spoken French using the principle of "Total immersion". He comes to the Capitainerie daily, subject to the weather. I am forbidden to speak English for an Hour as we drink coffee. It's the best way possible and I owe him a lot.
My French Language Teacher, John-Noel, at the Piano Bar with his wife. Michel, another french friend - also a "live aboard" on the right.
It is likely that we will travel on Body and Soul in April, May, and maybe, June. We’ll stay in port for July and August, the French holiday season, then possibly off again for September and October, returning “home” for the rest of the year, including November, December, January, February, March when the canals are closed. Of course much depends on the weather and whoever is visiting us.
Stop Press
Now here's our very latest blessing by courtesy of Sophie and Steve Blair
Sophie and Max - one day old
So we are very content with our lot but not in the least bit complacent. There's beauty, music, good food and wine all around us - lots of family and many friends and social involvement, great transport facilities, a secure and beautiful home and plenty to which we look forward.
Proud father, Steve.
Charlie and Max
As I say, with the pound as it is "it really isn't all plain sailing!" but who cares?!