What have we got Toulouse: A family moving to France: 1 (A mother in France)

I liked all the background history. Good to know what led up to the move abroad. If you like France, it is interesting to read descriptions of different areas and properties. Don't think it wise to drive for 18 hours in one go! Useful notes on places to buy furniture etc. Also useful comparison of NHS and French health system (although sadly my experience of NHS is not as good as Nikki's). However my experience of French drivers is much better, but only as a tourist on a motorbike not as a resident. Recommends the virtues of car sharing, but I don't think UK ordinary car insurance allows one to carry paying passengers. Good lessons on getting things done on time! Useful to learn about the spectacular weather, and also the electricity, or lack of it. Chapter on languages is superb! Many smiles!

If you are thinking of moving to France , this is the book you need to read ! Everything from driving licences to maternity hospitals are covered in this book ! And yet ...through all this advice is the story of Nikki and Gary ‘s dream of the ‘good life ‘ in France . Inevitably , they buy too large a property , don’t speak French , and believe that the sun shines all year round ! A familiar tale ...but Nikki’s conversational style makes the reader feel as though they are sharing this story with her over a glass of Sauvignon , sat outside the massive Mill . Who wouldn’t want to be her friend ?

An interesting and informative read. What really struck me about this book was the wonderful work ethic of both the author and her husband. From the time they were young they put everything into supporting themselves and their growing family. If life gave ‘them lemons, they made lemonade’ rather than wallowing in misery. The author is a talented writer too, which made the book a pleasure to read. Finally, it is refreshing to read about people who try to fit in with the French way of life. I was very sorry when I came to the end of this book.

I loved reading about Nicky and her family in France, but the book was as chaotic as her life .Perhaps less content but more depth would have been better.Look forward to the next one being a little more organised.

Enjoyed reading this book very much. The author has covered most of the good and bad things about moving to France with a young family. I have lots of admiration for the whole family for the way they have dealt with each hurdle. It goes to show that that you can achieve anything if you want it badly enough.

Loved the title which drew me right in there to this cohesive and well written memoir if a family moving to France. The plans worked through and ultimate choice of location and property could have been dry but it was gripping. I am sorry I have finished this book, one of many read over the years of the hopes and dreams of others. A vicarious interest which might be odd to some but having been uprooted as a child myself from London to wild ruralness in New Zealand this is my reading genre. NIKKI I loved your book!

I highly enjoyed this book and devoured all of the practical information it provided while painting a picture of one family’s adventure of moving to France. I would highly recommend it as a must read for anyone with a family thinking of moving to France. It’s a huge dream of mine to one day move to France and it was refreshing to read about a family that I could relate to and how they pursued that dream. Looking forward to reading more about the McArthur family’s years in France!

Loved reading this book, a true look at a family’s ups and downs along a scary and daring road to change their lives for a better way of life ,Very funny in parts . Will look forward to the next one