It all started on October 6th 2002 when I walked out on my husband to start a new life in France - wait for it - a new life looking after my ex who is handicapped.

Nowadays it's a case of a menage a trois, plus my son, who is unemployed and frequent visits from friends and family.

The first few months were fraught with a  mixture of tears and pleadings from the spouse I had just left,(until I gave in and let him come too!!!) numerous battles with French bureaucracy and getting used to the pace of life on the other side of the Channel.

Initially I kept a diary and may publish extracts from it in due course. This blog will therefore consist of a  mixture of past and present 'tranches de vie' - a blend of happiness and tragedy and an account of the rewards and tribulations of retiring to France.