We arrived in France on Monday, March 14th, and have settled into our rustic, little cottage near Torchamp in Normandie. Torchamp is pretty much a wide spot in the road. We wanted to escape the hectic pace of the city to find some peace and quiet, and we have done just that. Here are a few photos of the area around us.






Not far from us is an old mill called le Pont des Planches, and is in a beautiful setting.


Another interesting site not far from us is an old structure that has slid into the neighboring ditch. It looks like the foliage will soon consume it completely. We call it “sliding house” and use it as a land mark. 🙂

We have driven through dozens of pretty villages since we arrived. Ambrières les Vallées is one such place. It has an impressive manor house, and a river meandering through the center of the town.



We have made multiple trips into Domfront and have enjoyed the view of the valley from the medieval section of town.


And of course, theTravelsketcher has been busy sketching.


Spring is in full bloom here; and we are enjoying the colors.


Neville has settled in after his traumatic adventure.

We have enjoyed meeting some of our neighbors, and are looking forward to getting to know them better. The area around us is becoming familiar, and we are feeling more comfortable doing the shopping, running errands and speaking French wherever we go.
There is so much to see just in our little corner of France; we’re looking forward to seeing even more of it in the coming weeks.
As always, I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.
Wishing you grand adventures,
Tricia
Such beautiful pictures! I love the rural area … perfect to escape from the city’s noises! And how lovely to see all the colours of spring – what a great season to arrive in a new country!
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Thank you! It’s been so nice to escape the city and to wake up and hear the birds chirping. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
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How exciting to begin this new adventure in life! And such a beautiful spot to be 😊 Thank you for sharing these pictures!
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Thank you for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
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So beautiful, I love the old mill and Ambrières-les-Vallées. It looks perfect. Maggie
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Thanks Maggie! I love the old mill as well. We keep findings places here that are so interesting.
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It’s absolutely beautiful, I think the Mill is stunning and I like the sliding house. What a wonderful new setting to call home – I wish you nothing but happiness in this new chapter 🙂
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Thanks for your comment and best wishes! I love the mill as well, and sliding house. I’m still blown away that they are so close to where we live. All the best to you as well.
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It looks so peaceful and you sound very relaxed! Neville looks comfortable as well and Terry has so many new places to sketch!
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It is so quiet and peaceful here; and there are so many interesting places so close to us. We’re all settling in comfortably. Thanks Nancy; I hope all is well there!
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wow, what a beautiful place to now call home! It looks like you have endless walks along lovely lanes and by those houses ahead of you 🙂
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It really is beautiful here; and so quiet. Thanks for your comment and I hope you have a great day!
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Well, Tricia, what a slice of paradise you seem to have found. The surrounding countryside and villages look so charming. Love the Sliding House and that incredible beast of a manor building in Ambrières-les-Vallées. So relieved Neville is acclimatising too.
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Thanks Leighton, for your comment! it certainly is idyllic here, and there are so many beautiful sites not far from us. We’re looking forward to seeing even more of the area in the coming weeks.
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Just scrolling through these photos was a totally relaxing exercise. So totally idyllic I could almost hear a gurgling stream and singing birds in the background. You’re living this lovely relaxing life for us all. (As for the fruits and veggies from the market,….wow). Keep all the photos coming…!!!!
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Thank you, Shirley! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and photos. It certainly is idyllic here.
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Oh Tricia, your new home looks absolutely lovely. And perfect for you and The Travel Sketcher. Blogger Neville appears to be settling in nicely, now that his parents have stopped disrupting his life and carting him onto those horrible things called airplanes. The grass road in your first photo… Wow, I want to walk down THAT! Congratulations on your new home!
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Thank you Lisa, I’m so glad you enjoyed the posts. We miss family and friends, but are enjoying our time here. Yes, poor Nev, but he certainly is a trooper, and so adaptable! The grassy road is only a few step from our front door; we can take a walk there when you visit us, soon!
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I am thoroughly enjoying seeing your pictures of France, it is so beautiful. I would love to go there, but alas, I do not like to fly!
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I’m so glad you’re enjoying the posts!
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congratulations on getting settled. poor sweet Neville – he looks great 🙂
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Thanks! We’re surprised at how easygoing and adaptable he is. He seems perfectly at home now.
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Wow how much I envy you all. We are well here in rural SW Iowa.
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Thanks Walt!
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Welcome to France, and thos strawberries from Plougastel are the best, near me, Salut
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Merci beaucoup!
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Je vous en prie !
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