If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be moving my daughters, a herd of guinea pigs, and an entire stash of tea to an unheard of city in France, I probably would’ve laughed.
But love and Brexit had other plans.
A Cross-Border Love Story
I met a French military man, we fell in love, and before long we were married in the UK. Our plan was simple: settle into life together with my daughters, our growing pack of pets, and the usual chaos that comes with juggling family and work. I had a small but thriving pet care business, and life was busy — but good.
Then Brexit hit.
The new post-Brexit rules meant my income, although steady, didn’t meet the new minimum threshold for my husband to live with us in the UK. Despite being married. Despite our family. Despite us both having fully functional businesses.
We tried to appeal, we tried to wait — and we tried to stay strong through a long-distance marriage. Let me tell you: it was hard and expensive!
4 years living apart,counting down days to see each-other and the heartbreak over and over again when we had to return to our separate lives in separate countries, parenting solo, managing a business, all while trying to hold onto a normal life that didn’t feel normal anymore.
Eventually, after exhausting every UK route, we made the decision: if we couldn’t build our family life in the UK, we’d build it in France instead.
The Big Move
And so, I packed up our lives — two girls, three guinea pigs, a couple of hamsters, and all the things that make a house a home — and we moved to the Cher region of France.
We reunited with my husband, our Australian Shepherd, and a sense of peace we hadn’t felt in years.
It wasn’t a glamorous, glossy move. It was emotional, messy, exciting, terrifying — but above all, it was the right thing.
A New Life Begins
Life in France is slower. Quieter. Sometimes confusing (the paperwork!), but incredibly grounding.
We’ve traded rainy school runs for slow sunny mornings, fast food for fresh bread, and frantic routines for long dog walks. There’s still chaos — we are a family, after all — but there’s more room to breathe.
Why I’m Blogging
This blog is a place for:
- Pet care tips and tricks from someone who’s lived it, worked it (and cleaned it up)
- Vet research and health news translated into real talk inspired by my days working as a vet nurse
- Honest stories about expat life, motherhood, animals, and starting over
No filters, no fluff — just real life with paws, pastries, and a proper brew.
So, welcome to our little slice of French countryside chaos. I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’re an animal lover, an expat dreamer, or just enjoy a good story, pop the kettle on and stay awhile.
There’s lots more to come.
Start writing here...