This site details my simple life in Brittany and the things that are really important to me - such as cooking, eating, reading and enjoying the beautiful countryside and the people who live here.
Whilst this site is certainly not intended to be a definitive guide to living in France (it's more of an explanation of how and why I choose to live here), you may find information here that aids you in your life (whether you are living here now, or planning to move over), or for your holidays in this beautiful part of France where I have chosen to make my home.
“Real life stories from my often strange little life in rural Brittany.....”
Tuesday - 30th June - 2009 - Still Alive
I've finally realised (perhaps due to all the "Are you still alive?" emails that I've been receiving), that it might be time to post something on BretonDiary.com.
So, to all of you who are worried - Yes, I'm still alive and plan to be so for the next 100 years or so!
The truth is, a lot has been happening recently and I've been spending many hours away from the PC.
This is a list of various things that I shall be talking about in more detail in the near future.....
1). A visit to the doctor in May - he told me that I would not be going back to work at the Abattoir.
2). A visit to the works doctor who concurred with my doctor.
Between the two of them, it's been decided that I'll be made redundant in early August.
3).Thus, I've had to find something else to do with the rest of my life. I've decided to start up a PC repair/website design business and will be explaining more about that in the near future.
4). Also, the Girlie and I have decided to move - once again, more details when that deed has been done.
5). I shall be replying to all the mails that are in my inbox - I've been spending time at the new place and don't have a PC there - that's my excuse, anyway!
6). And finally, I shall be writing a post about a great car show the Girlie, Josh and I recently went to - lots of noisy videos to be included, no doubt!
Speak to you soon - all the best....
Keith
P.S. Some Bad News! My favourite Life in Brittany website (www.Brittany-Friends) has closed down.
P.P.S. Some Good News! It has been replaced (by the same people), take a look in at www.BrittanyFriends.com
Friday - 1st May - 2009 - Tracy Walters - Mobile Hairdresser
Tracy Walters - Mobile Hairdresser - 25 years experience
Recently, at the St. Patrick Day celebrations at La Taverne in Josselin, I noticed a woman (one of many, I have to say), who was dancing round a handbag to YMCA.
Then, at the 60s and 70s Soiree Disco (also at La Taverne, Josselin), I noticed the same woman dancing (arms flying about - once again, one of many), to Abba.
I rushed outside to recover and have a ciggie - she came outside as well. We started chatting and it turned out that she is a hairdresser and lives in Mohon, not far from where I used to live.
I promised her that when we had both sobered up, I'd ask her a few questions for the benefit of the readers of BretonDiary.
Well, that was 2 weeks ago and I think we've both just about sobered up enough (it was a very good night, that disco at La Taverne!)
I started off by asking Tracy how long she'd been living in France?
It's been peeing down for most of the day so I've been mainly stuck inside. It's alright though 'cos God told me that he wanted to get all the rain out of the way before the summer so that the holidaymakers don't get wet!
Also - The rain will make the veggies grow faster and I am getting hungry (but then, what's new?)
The one highlight of the day happened this morning as the Girlie left to take Josh to school and then go on to a job interview/open day thingy. She had left the lights on all night and so it was Bump Start city in Rue St Nicholas - Good job we live on a hill!
And just to cheer you all up if it's raining where you are...
I was down the bar last night when I ran into the Director of the local Loony Bin. I took the opportunity to ask him a question that has long been on my mind.
"How", I asked him. "Do you work out if someone deserves to be institutionalized."
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug out. Do you want a bed near the window?"
Tuesday - 28th April - 2009 - Haddock in the Kitchen
I have decided that, every Tuesday, I shall feature one of the sites that I look at on a daily basis.
The reason for this is that..... if a site interests me, it may well interest you, whether you are living in beautiful Brittany, thinking of doing so or just planning to visit for your holiday
This week, I am mentioning another of my favourite sites....
Haddock in the Kitchen
Although Helen's blog used to be what I would consider to be a "foodie" blog, it is now moving into a more "lifestyle" genre.
As well as updating her blog, Helen also writes about "Retro Cooking" for Flavour magazine and has just had an article published in the Telegraph.
If you thought that the Girlie's first video was pretty dire and that things couldn't get worse - well, think again!
This little video extract was shot before I read the manual and realised that there were different shooting modes/resolutions etc. Way too complicated for me!
This video was taken at La Taverne during the 60's and 70's night last week and is proof positive that people still dance to Abba in Josselin!
My first video! - warning... contains disturbing scenes!
Sunday - 26th April - 2009 - The Girlie's first video!
I've just sold one of my kidneys and bought a cheap video camera.
The Girlie likes the look of it and seems to have appropriated it for herself!
This is her first video - I do apologise for the content - I didn't think she'd work out how to use it so quickly!
By the way, if you're worried about the main character in the video - it is someone who looks amazingly like me, who lives just round the corner. He is always getting mistaken for me (the bane of my life, really) - but is no relation at all to yours truly!
The Girlie's first video! - warning... contains disturbing scenes!
Sunday - 26th April - 2009 - Fish and Chips for Tea
The Girlie and I both fancied fish and chips for tea.
So, armed with our new fishing licenses, we both hurried down the hill to the canal.
We found a comfortable spot and cast out our lines!
Surely it wouldn't be long before an accommodating fish agreed to be our supper?
I'm not sure that the Girlie realised that the chances of catching a nice plump cod were slightly less than zero but, then again, she is new to this fishing lark!
Saturday - 18th April - 2009 - Tonight's the Night!
Up early as I have a busy day ahead of me.
Tonight the Girlie and I are going to the Soiree/Disco at La Taverne. I've got my costume all ready - I'll be the one dressed as a hippy!
If you've got nothing better to do - why don't you come down?
A suprise package that arrived yesterday mean that there might be a little suprise on this site on Sunday. I would tell you more but, that would ruin the suprise, wouldn't it?
Tuesday - 14th April - 2009 - It's raining - so it's time for a joke (or two!)
Firstly - a joke that was sent to me from C....
A little old lady is trudging down the street, dragging two large plastic garbage bags. Every once in a while a piece of currency slips through a tear in one of the bags.
Noticing this, a policeman stops her. 'Ma'am, five pound notes are falling out of your bag.' 'Oh, really? Damn!' says the little old lady. 'I'd better go back and see if I can collect them. Thanks for the warning!'
'Well now, not so fast,' says the cop. 'How did you get all that money?' He arches an eyebrow and asks teasingly, 'You didn't steal it, did you?'
'Oh, no!' says the little old lady. 'You see, my back yard is right up against the parking lot of the football stadium. Each time there's a game, a lot of fans pee through the fence right into my flower beds! So, I go and stand behind the bushes with my hedge clipper, and every time someone sticks his thingy through the fence, I grab hold of it and holler 'five pounds or off it comes!''
'That seems only fair,' laughs the cop. 'Okay, good luck! By the way, what's in the other bag?'
'Well, not everybody has the money.
A video from my little sister, Briony... who should know better!
Why women need catalogues! - warning... Not man friendly!
Happy Tuesday everyone - hope you're all having a good time!
I have decided that, every Tuesday, I shall feature one of the sites that I look at on a daily basis.
The reason for this is that..... if a site interests me, it may well interest you, whether you are living in beautiful Brittany, thinking of doing so or just planning to visit for your holiday
This week, I am mentioning another of my favourite sites....
An English Rose in France
Rosalyn writes about living (with all her animals and her husband, Paul) on Half Acre Farm in Sixt sur Aft, Ille et Vilaine.
The site is updated at least every other day and contains loads of photos and a few videos as well.
The highlight of Easter Monday was my little girlie, Cindy, catching her first mousie at Rue St. Nicolas!
The Girlie (the human one) and I saw a mousie a few weeks ago and since then Cindy has been prowling the back of the vegetable patch - she must have smelt something!
Sunday - 12th April - 2009 - Roast Lamb for Tea - a perfect day!
Because I've been a good boy recently, the Girlie offered to cook dinner last night.
Because lamb was on special offer at the supermarket, lamb it had to be!
Also, as we've got things planned for today and are going to the Girlie's house tomorrow morning (she's got someone coming round to see it - hopefully a buyer), we decided to have Sunday Lunch on Saturday night.
Thus, I was banished from the kitchen (the Girlie used a Gordon Ramsay phrase; something along the lines of... Get the Fork out of my kitchen! or something like that!)
Having had a wonderful night's sleep (I think the doctor has finally got it right with my medication), it was off to the market this morning.
The Girlie and I had arranged to meet up with Tony and Diane and their two children, Arthur (aged 9) and Abby (aged 4).
We'd only ever spoken on the phone (or via email) and both the Girlie and I were looking forward to meeting them as they own a house in Mohon (not far from Josselin), and are thinking about moving over for good (and it certainly will be good for them!!!) next year.
Before we met them though, the Girlie and I had to trudge around the crowded market, meeting friends and buying wonderful produce in the beautiful morning sunshine - it's a hard job living over here but, someone's got to do it!
Saturday - 11th April - 2009 - They Live - Day of the Gnomes!
When there is no more room in the garden centres, the gnomes will walk the Earth!
O.K. For those of you who aren't fans of the George Romero type Zombie films (of which Shaun of the Dead had got to be the best), I am getting a little worried about the collection of Gnomes in the back garden.
When I moved to Rue St. Nicolas from Les Croix, some of the garden Gnomes came with me. However, what worries me is...
1. There seem to be more of them than there used to be and,
2. They seem to move around when I'm not watching!
Thursday - 9th April - 2009 - Soiree/Disco at La Taverne!
Following on from the very successful St. Patricks Day Celebrations they hosted (take a look at St Patricks Day Celebrations at La Taverne, Fabien and Sandra have decided to put on another special night for the local French and English communities.
It's sure to be a great night with a really good mix of French and English, lots of silly dancing and some very good food. The Girlie and I will be there but please, don't let that put you off!
I'll be the one dressed like a hippie (not sure about the Girlie, yet), attempting to dance to the music of my youth - it'd be nice to say hello.
If you are wondering why there have been no updates for a while, this is because my medications seemed to have suddenly stopped working and I have been back down to 3 hours sleep each night.
Apart from making me feel very tired, the sleep that I have been getting has been filled with horrible dreams that don't seem to go away during the daytime.
However, I have had my medication changed and increased and last night slept like a log (with no bad dreams.)
I have got loads of updates to add to my diary so please keep checking in - I should be able to add them during the next week or so.
Many thanks to people who have sent in comments - I have received them and will publish them here over the next few days or so.
All the best...
Keith
P.S. Almost forgot to say a very special thank you to Rachel who a couple of weeks ago sold me an enormous amount of Lego (for a pittance), to help young Joshy with his rampant Legoitis - to say that you made a child very happy is an understatement - Joshy was pretty chuffed as well!
Monday - 16th March - 2009 - French Bank Holidays - Jours Feriés
The following is a list of National Holidays in France for 2009.
I only put them here because they confuse the hell out of me and I assume that they must do the same for you!
1st January - New Year's Day (Jour de l'an) - Too late; you've missed it! Sun 12 Apr - Easter Sunday - Your village shop might be open in the morning? Mon 13 Apr - Easter Monday - Nothing will be open - hope you did all your shopping on the Saturday! Fri 1 May - Labor Day (Fete du premier mai) - Nothing is open - long live the revolution! Fri 8 May - WWII Victory Day (Fete de la Victoire 1945; Fete du huitieme mai) - Who won the war? Thurs 21 May - Ascension Day - Maybe some village shops open in the morning? Mon 1 Jun - Monday following Pentacost - not really a bank holiday - we just don't work on it! Tues 14 Jul - Bastille Day (Fete nationale) - Ooh la la! Get the hangover cures ready! Sat 15 Aug - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption) - And the sunburn cream! Sun 1 Nov - All Saints Day (La Toussaint) - Halloween - everyone goes to the cemetary. Wed 11 Nov - Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice) - buy a drink for some of the old guys who were there. Fri 25 Dec - Christmas Day (Noel) - proper day off - this one!
Sunday - 15th March - 2009 - St Patrick's Day celebrations at La Taverne
On Saturday night the Girlie dragged me, kicking and screaming, to the St. Patrick Day's celebrations at the Bar Restaurant La Tavene in Josselin.
Actually, I don't think I protested too much!
The owners of the Bar, Fabien and Sandra, really pulled out all the stops to ensure that the night was a success.
Although there were many English customers, the French who were there seemed to really enjoy themselves as well - the general conclusion was that there was an excellent ambience!
If you would like to add your comments about this page, please feel free to mail me at Comments - I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Please don't forget to add the address of your website, should you want me to link back to you.
Comment 1 - 06/09/08
“Hi Keith, I am a new member of Brittany Friends and was following some links there and came across your Bretondiary.
Just had to write and say what a great job you have done with it and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, thank you.
Your comments about life in Brittany have cheered me up no end this morning and made me realise what a good decision I made in deciding to come here. I've only been here since January and the first few months were very tough but I wouldn't trade it for anything now. I had to return to the UK recently for a few days and hated every minute of it and couldn't wait to get back "home".
I too am near Josselin (just South of Guegon actually) and the peace and quiet are wonderful.
Thanks for cheering an old gal up this morning. Loved the jokes by the way.....keep them coming. If you need fresh supplies I'll add you to my jokes mailing list.
Cordialement
Susie Harris”
Comment 2 - 25/09/08
“Hello
What an interesting site this is. Is there somewhere that mentions festivals etc. As I remember last year when we were over in November there was an interesting one on in Quentin. I've been trying to find some sites where I might find if this is on this year and when would be useful. Would you happen to know?
Kind regards
Aldwyn Le Cocq”
Comment 3 - 26/09/08
“Hi Keith!
Great to see your website on the go again! AND lovely to see you looking so well! Glad Sammy made it back too!
Give my love and best wishes to Jilly
Val”
Val Grainger
The Woolly Shepherd
Quality knitting wool and Countryside Consultancy www.woollyshepherd.co.uk
Comment 4 - 10/10/08
“Hello Keith!
I came upon your diary just before a recent visit to Brittany - a place I had never been before. It was a glorious 5 days and found your advice about the markets particularly helpful.
I am taking a career break for one year and am going back to college to study photography full time as a mature student (very mature in some ways - very immature in others !) and then hope to realise my big ambition and come to France - take some good shots of the markets - good recipes - culminating in my book !
A mish mash of things french.
I would like to subscribe to your diary - I think its brilliant - and I think you were very brave to make the move.
Kind regards,
Jean, Ireland”
Comment 5 - 24/03/09
“Hi Keith!
I found your web site by chance and, as some one who is hoping to one day make the move, it's been great reading about your life in France.
Thanks for listing the French holiday dates this is very helpfull as I come over to france regularly in my removal truck and we are not allowed to drive on certain days. For details.... www.michaelsmovers.co.uk
best regards,
Michael Harris”
Comment 6 - 29/03/09
“Hi Keith!
I followed a link to your web page from blue and really enjoyed reading your take on life in France.........will be back again.
My wife and I moved to south west France just over a year ago and I have just started a blog myself : www.desrevesinfrance.blogland.com it's early days with the blog but I am enjoying it and also connecting with other bloggers.
John”
Comment 7 - 09/03/09
“Hi Keith
I hope you feel well enough to return to work soon, I know what its like to be off work sick, I had a motorbike accident last September and have only returned to work this week.
A Polish driver in a left hand drive car looking the wrong way pulled out on a dual carriageway, the car on my near side missed him but I took out both his doors with my right leg, my body work took longer to fix than his did.
I was in hospital for over a month having some crow bar surgery to put the metal work in and bolt it all together, my family will be able to weigh me in for scrap when I kick the bucket. Because of the type of breaks and the fixings used I was not able to put any weight on my leg until 3 weeks ago, now its all down to physio and exercise.
Bikes a right off and its costing me a fortune in train fares to get to work now, the Pole was probably on the first ferry back home because my insurance company has had trouble getting any money out of his insurance.
Still such is life, my lucks not been very good lately, Speedferries went bust after I, and my partner, had bout ten trips each so we have lost lots of money, then our neighbour in France tells me that my kitchen wall fell down damaging my fridge and freezer.
I bought a rural property in France 2 years ago, in a small hamlet call La Boissiere just North of Le Mans on the edge of the forest of Sille, near Mayenne. Its supposed to be a 5 year project to do it up and move to France when I retire. This seems to be wishful thinking, it looks worse now than when I started, holidays are not long enough to do much work, but I need to work to pay for the property and the works.
Because of the accident we haven't been out to France since last July, we are coming out at Easter to do some more work and see how bad the damage to the kitchen is.
I'm enjoying Breton diary, I look in at Brittany-friends occasionally, and I admit to peeking at girlies blog last week, please feel free to put my comments in your diary.
Good luck to you and your family, keep on rockin.
Regards.... David Wilson”
Comment 8 - 12/04/09
“Hi David
I'm sorry to hear about your bad luck. I think one thing that I've learned over the last 2 years is that things will always get better (no matter how bad they might seem at the time) - best advice, as you said, is to ... keep on rockin!.
All the best.... Keith”
Comment 9 - 28/04/09
“I have been perusing your site Keith......I do chuckle at it....really like it!
Hope you are both well and Josh too!
Take care.... Val”
Val Grainger
The Woolly Shepherd & Woolly Waste
Quality wool, Insulation and Consultancy www.woollyshepherd.co.uk
The Girlie and I both fancied fish and chips for tea.
Josh has just come back from three weeks in England where he was learning French with my father.
Saturday night was the Sixties and Seventies Soiree/Disco at La Taverne in Josselin.
One of the our favourite places in Josselin is the Bar, Restaurant... La Taverne.
The Girlie and I bought our fishing permits last week and today we decided to try them out.
I have decided that, every Tuesday, I shall feature one of the sites that I look at on a daily basis.
The highlight of Easter Monday was my little girlie, Cindy, catching her first mousie at Rue St. Nicolas!
One of the lovely things about Josselin is that it has lots of special places.
Because I've been a good boy recently, the Girlie offered to cook dinner last night.
Having had a wonderful night's sleep (I think the doctor has finally got it right with my medication), it was off to the market this morning.
When there is no more room in the garden centres, the gnomes will walk the Earth!
As I've been feeling better, the last few days, I decided to celebrate and cook for the Girlie.
Following on from the very successful St. Patricks Day Celebrations they hosted (take a look at 
If you are wondering why there have been no updates for a while, this is because my medications seemed to have suddenly stopped working and I have been back down to 3 hours sleep each night.
On Saturday night the Girlie dragged me, kicking and screaming, to the St. Patrick Day's celebrations at the Bar Restaurant La Tavene in Josselin.
Market days are special days in Brittany.
Part of the pleasure of Josselin, Brittany is the range of bars and restaurants.
And, of course, there are plenty of beautiful walk and strolls just minutes from the centre of this medieval market town.
The view of the chateau dominates everything - the most photographed chateau in France?
But the town itself has a very special charm all of its own.
Of course, the atmosphere always stays very tranquil and calm.
The canal has its own mysteries and keeps them secret as it slowly winds its way past the town.
What could be better than spending an evening fishing on the canal?.
The Lock Keeper's cottage on the canal at Josselin - One of Josselin's many special places.
Got a question or a comment? Please feel free to contact me.
Need somewhere to stay? Take a look at the Girlie's site.