Living life differently – an update from France

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It all sounded pretty straightforward. A few weeks in Europe. Work on the new business ideas. Write daily. Train, live healthy, get some fitness back – both on the bike and walk/run the trails and peaks.

Reality then bit. Hard.

OK, I know it all sounds a bit ‘Who the hell does he think he IS? Scampering off ‘To live in Europe’?” I get it. I’d be lying if it doesn’t all look a bit over the top and sicophantic. So, why? Why do this?

Well, as those closest to me will testify, those of whom have witnessed how my life has unfolded the last 10 years. I’ve been ‘Through the mill’ Recovering from a broken marriage, the loss of my mam and brother, businesses struggling and almost imploding and a massive and seemingly constant struggle. Failed relationships, financial struggles, overwhelm, crippling addictions and all manner of negativity and gloom.

But …BUT… I never gave up. I worked hard. Always. I refused to give in and tried to find solace and hope where it seemed there was none to seen. The bad stuff still came, but I was stronger for the journey. The struggle. I laughed at the adversity and, eventually overcame it all. Mastered it almost.

It’s long been my dream to live in the Alps. And since my brother died right here in Grenoble, my heart and soul are forever tied to this beautiful city.

It had been 7 years since I’d visited mainland Europe, until I returned again in 2022.

I planned an audacious trip. 22 days. I was nervous. Anxious. Scared even! Post brexit, Covis, Vax? No Vax? Travel bans etc. But I just drove over and made it up as I went along. I pulled it off. Let’s do a MONTH next year I thought. But let’s take the oven and make pizzas there! Again, another crazy idea, which at the 11th hour I decided I was gonna scrap that and just have a long holiday instead. But I stopped myself. Micky…Go for it!! Stop overthinking it all. Just GO! I did…and what a month it was.

This year…. I needed to push it further “You need to stretch your ring, Micky” That’s what my friend, Anna hollered at me when we went scrambling in the Lakes one day. I was clinging to a rock with a big drop below me, Anna ,a great climber scampered up with ease, leaving me to get up or fall to broken bones! Methinks there are many, less death-defying ways of ring stretching!!

How can I push it out further than a full month in the Alps? I made a plan. Let’s do 6 or 7 weeks. In fact, make NO Plan. Just get a one way ticket. So that’s what I’ve done.

This raises two eyebrow raising questions.

1) Why?

Well that’s partially been answered. Every dog has its day. After years of graft, suffering and struggle, I feel that I finally EARNED the chance to be kind to myself again. I also want to demonstrate what CAN be achieved. That this kind of thing CAN be done. It’s NOT an elaborate holiday or a trip. A holiday is when you take 2 or 3 weeks off from your usual life and work, to unwind, recharge and have a break. No. This IS my life. I’m here, living, not holidaying. I’m making this my ‘normal’ so that when the day comes when I move here, I have a nicely stretched ring in readiness for it!

My aim is to inspire, motivate and pave the path for those that want to similar. If I can do this, anyone can. Yes I’ve worked bloody hard for 5 years to get to this point but if anyone wants help, advice, a nudge in the right direction, pick my brains for a similar venture. Do it! Come at me with your own flavours of crazy pie!

2.
And we come back to – “Who does he think he is?” How can I possibly afford or justify such extravagance?

As far as commitments go – I don’t really have any. I’m single, have no pets and no full time job. . I run two businesses, so I can choose my own hours and make my own rules. My daughter is living and working in Japan and doing OK. So I’m letting nobody down.

My pizza business has been so so busy, before I came here I worked 16 days straight and some of these were back to back 15+ hour days! I have a really busy autumn season upon my return.

Yeah but, yeah but… I hear some say. My reality is this….I have saved and saved for this. I have minimal outgoings. I drive a 14 Yr old Fiat Panda that cost me £400. I don’t have* or watch TV. My electric bill is £40 a month .I don’t eat out regularly back home and I’m not the spendthrift I once was
*I DO have a TV – But it has no access to anything. Just dvds or the occasional footy stream via laptop

over here, I’m rarely eating meals out and I’m staying at the campsite of friends I’ve known for 20 years at special prices (for me) I have a mattress in the back of the van. Its not converted. It has zero luxuries. It’s my pizza van! Whilst here I’m super cautious with what I spend and my budget WAS going to be €30 a day – Pah!! No chance.

The heat is..RELENTLESS. 32C plus. Every day. You lie in bed. you’re sweating. Open the door. In come the mosquitoes. And here in France…there are a LOT of them. Its rising in intensity. As is, the spread of the Tiger mosquito. A more malicious variety that carries diseases.

I came with the idea of building my new business. Work in the morning. Cycle by day. Reality is as follows.

– Go to bed at a sensible time

– unable to sleep. Sweating. Downing litres of water. Too hot. You open the door (As Arnie said iin Predator “Bad idea!’) You’re now. on a Mozzie killing mission because you opened the door to the restaurant tonight – YOU are the evening delicacy

– Crap sleep. Up later than normal. It’s ok, you got the sleep. But you’re groggy as hell due to dehydration.

– You’ve got under one hour to do your usual morning routine because in next to no time, that van with an oven in, BECOMES an oven cos it’s 25c by 10am

– You give up caring, so you do your press ups/sit ups/stretching is on the mat by your van …ANYWHERE . Car parks ,housing estates, campsites ..who cares. Not you! You feel ratty, tired and the day is marching on already.

– Your idea of “working’ each morning . Nahhh….can’t do that, mate. One, you woke up too late, two, your idea of using mobile as WiFi hotpot. Doesn’t work. Connected – But No Internet. Making laptop and tablet useless to you. And besides it’s now 1030. You need breakfast. And you need to find somewhere cool to try and do the things. You go to a place – But you don’t feel comfortable because …how many coffees CAN you drink? OK..Beer is better. Its colder and takes longer to consume…..3 deep, yer half pished. Cos you’re still dehydrated and have eaten mimimally. You give up. You’re on holiday mannnn….oh…wait! No
it’s NOT Haha.

You INTEND to improve your French. The people you speak with and connect with you. They are great. They speak good English (plus other languages) It’s great…for THEM. They see you as an opportunity to practice THEIR English. You chat in English. Let’s do French you say. OK.. “Est-ce que creee vous vous l’alomentiment boujois de la ville de la har har har’… ermm…. You go back to speaking English .

Today… I was up early. Ignored the one Mozzie that got into the van. Did my routines, washed my clothes after my nine day trip South, fixed the puncture on Jean-Claude’s bike that he kindly lets me use to bop about town, and headed in. Grenoble is dead. It’s Monday. Close down. My mission was the library. Work on the business ideas and website work. It’s closed today. Students have gone home. It’s open tomorrow at 1pm. I head to my favourite bar/cafe (Cafe de France). They have WiFi…why didnt I think of this before! 30 mins logo design. Laptop dies. It can’t stand the heat. Even in the shade.

The cycle in was a really cool and fresh feeling 29c…later it’s forecast 37c!! It’s gonna be a nice night in the van! hahaha.

So there’s the scoop guys…. This is Day 22. To be honest …it’s FLOWN by! If I’m being honest ..I’m bloody loving it. Running out of money rapidly and I promised myself I wouldn’t cash in any of my crypto to fund this trip. Ha. Who knows.

I’ve been making daily notes on my trip (With the purpose of this blog in mind)
and I’m gonna DEFINITELY update them. Please do sign up for email updates if you’d like to.

Quick synopsis
Week 1 – My long time mate, Rob, jumped in the van and accompanied me on week one. What a bonus! Saw us staying in hotels and some great experiences until he went back Cumbria

Week 2 – Ahhhh…back home ..
to Grenoble. Catch up with Thomas and my extended family here in Varces. My friend whom I’ve met once only, said that she would drop in with her pal and say ‘Hi’. They did. They stayed for 3 nights!!

Week 3 – I said my fond farewells to them both last Saturday and headed south. Mission – See Le Tour!
Result – seen only one day of tour because I chose to spend a day in Italy instead.

Continuing the Italian vibe with Roman amphitheatre visiting. Jumping off rocks into rivers. Millau Viaduct and more. Nine days!! I thought I would get home last weds. It was Sunday!

I will chunk it all up into shorter, easy to read posts. And write it all up properly. What a 3 weeks it’s been! Thanks for reading.

And Hey! Make those Plans! ANYTHING is possible!

 

Written by doc cotton

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