Leaving Normandie

Tuesday morning we said sad goodbyes to our dear friends as we left the little hamlet in rural Normandie that we’ve called home for the past two plus years. It’s been a tranquil and idyllic place to live. We’ve made some wonderful, lifelong friends, enjoyed great times and met some interesting people along the way.

As many of you know, we brought our cat, Neville, with us when we moved from the US. He loved living in the country, and enjoyed catching mice and playing in the corn rows until his last days before kidney disease took his life.

Our original plan was to live in France for two to three years. When we head back to the states in October, it will be close to the three year mark. With the help of our dear friends, our belongings are now in route to the US.

These dear friends also gave us a lovely going-away party.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust

We will miss our dear friends and this beautiful, verdant part of France. Here are some of our favorite images from our neighborhood:

We found many tranquil places to take walks,

enjoyed dramatic sunsets,

and found so many beautiful places to linger.

Le Mont-Saint-Michel is just over an hour away, and we visited often.

There are ruins of medieval chateaux nearby.

It was an absolutely tranquil and lovely place to live. Our next three months will involve traveling to eastern France, Luxembourg, Austria, Czechia and an extended stay in Provence before returning to the US.

Living in rural Normandie has been a grand adventure to say the least. We faced multiple challenges, but are so thankful for the people we met along the way who offered support, encouragement and advice. The expat life broadens one’s mind, challenges our beliefs and tests our character like nothing else I have ever encountered. I will be forever grateful for this life-changing experience.

All the best,

Tricia