Welcome to my Family & Friends website.

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.....”

Wednesday - 31st December - 2008 - End of Year Report

It's that time of the year where, I think, it pays to take a quick look back over the previous 12 months and try to identify the highlights (and lowlights, if any.)

I started the year feeling rather poorly and sorry for myself; I am ending it feeling somewhat less poorly and far more confident for whatever the coming year may bring.

So, here are some of the many highlights of 2008 (in no particular order.)

Wednesday - 31st December - 2008 - A House for Sale

As the Girlie has moved to Josselin, she has put her house up for sale.

Should you be (or know anyone who might be) interested in buying a fully restored farmhouse near the pretty town of La Gacilly (with an adjoining cottage and a small appartment), the price is 230,000 euros.

To take a virtual look round the house(s), please take a look at FarmHouseGites.com

The property has been successfully rented out as Gites and would suit someone who wanted a holiday home with an additional rental income.

Wednesday - 31st December - 2008 - kmeckstein.com

When I first started Breton Diary (way back in 2006), I also started a website dedicate to some of my thoughts about IT.

Unfortunately, I didn't do much with that other site but am now bringing it back online and up to date.

The site www.kmeckstein.com details my ideas about keeping IT simple.

If you are interested in the technical stuff (written from a not particularly technical viewpoint), please take a look.

Thursday - 25th December - 2008 - Christmas Time!

I took a few photos of the Christmas celebrations at 59 Rue St. Nicholas

These can be found on the Gallery Page (not for the squeamish!) - remember to click on the photos to see them full size.

Wednesday - 24th December - 2008 - Merry Christmas!

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers of BretonDiary a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I hope that you all continue to enjoy my little wafflings here and thank all of you who have contacted me about this site for your valued input.

Thursday - 13th November - 2008 - Site Updates!

I have been busy adding a couple of updates to BretonDiary.

1). There is now a site search facility - this is to be found on the sidebar on the righthand side of the screen.

2). There is also a ChitChat page where I can add little updates during the day - things that would not normally be worthwhile creating a full diary entry for.

ChitChat is available via the main menu or via its own box (which indicates last update time), on the sidebar on the righthand side of the screen.

17th December - 2008 - A Pre-Christmas Evening in Josselin

Although any town that boasts both a chateau and a Wizard's Road must be a very special place, for me Josselin becomes even more special in the run up to Christmas.

It's something to do with the decorations and the sense of expectation (after all, Father Christmas is on his way) - a very special place becomes, for me, somewhere that could be part of a Harry Potter film set.

Monday - 10th November - 2008 - Some Book Reviews

Because I've been ill recently, I've had time on my hands to read. The following are my views on some of the books that I've recently enjoyed (or suffered)...

People who know my feelings about a certain author might just wish to give this article a miss and check out this site.... Meet the Author

Thursday - 6th November - 2008 - More Jokes from Susie

Susie has been attempting to keep everyones spirits up with a barrage of new jokes - if you're feeling grumpy, why don't you take a look?

Wednesday - 15th October - 2008 - A Man of Simple Tastes

I believe that I'm a man of very simple tastes (although the Girlie tries to convince me that I'm a man who's slightly simple in the head!)

I know what I like and I like what I know!

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the garden.

I like Chrysanthemums. I like Fuscias and I like Lavender - I also like Marigolds.

But what I like best of all are Nasturtiums!

Friday - 22nd August - 2008 - The Handbag Debate

One of the things I love about living in France is that men are allowed to carry handbags over here.

I don't know what I would do without mine.

It goes everywhere with me and contains just about everything that I'll ever need!

Thursday - 15th August - 2008 - The Garden

I don't try to pretend that I'm the world's greatest gardener. I do, though, like to be able to sit out in the garden, surrounded by flowers and read and ponder.

My garden is quite small and I aim to keep it as minimal maintenance as possible - whilst I love buying plants, looking after them is a chore that I don't enjoy so much.

Thursday - 14th August - 2008 - Garlic and Oil

I have a thing about garlic. I love to use it in cooking and I also love to store it in oil.

Having been slighty greedy whilst out shopping, I realised that I had way too much Garlic in the house!

Only one thing for it - the Girlie and I sat down to store it in olive oil!

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.