Have you ever noticed how a lot of the expats who manage to make a go of life in France, which as you know can be tough, have more than one string to their professional bows? I’ve been talking to some people, who certainly fit the versatility profile, to find out what makes them tick.
Let’s start in Normandy, hidden away in the tiny village of Le Trochu is a real surprise: “Arts in the Garden”, owned and run by Brian and Krishna Ashbee. This is a very special Chambre d’Hôte, voted one of the top ten B and B’s in Normandy. Not only is the accommodation luxurious, the cuisine to die for, but also there’s a fabulous garden to explore and relax in, lovingly created by the couple over eighteen years. Before moving to France, Krishna was owner/manager of an Optician’s on the south coast of England but since moving to France has blossomed as a chef, offering evening meals and Sunday lunches. Although the menu is international she has not forgotten her Indian roots and in winter runs “The Curry Club” which is popular with French and British alike and of course, helps overcome the seasonal nature of running a B and B. In addition you might like to try one of her Flavours of India weekend courses, sharing the secrets of Indian cuisine and putting them in context with music and even a Bollywood film. But that’s not all, Brian, the other half of this creative couple, whose CV includes film-making, writing and teaching is now an exhibiting artist and runs courses in watercolour painting and drawing for his guests. He also teaches English as a foreign language, offering intensive residential courses in business and conversational English.
The garden includes a number of mosaics, a passion shared by Brain and Krishna and of course, as you’ve probably guessed by now, they share this passion with others,
offering courses in mosaic techniques.
The Ashbees are also keen walkers and would love to take you on a walking tour of their favourite places such as Mont St Michel and the Gorges of the river Vire.
They moved to France permanently to build a different life and to spend more time together. They wanted to do the things that they love doing as a couple and pursue their own separate passions, for Brian this was painting and for Krishna it was food and cooking. They planned very carefully before making their move and realized that they could do all this and turn it into a thriving business.
Next I’d like to introduce you to the lovely Annie Rogers, if you’re feeling run down or stressed, recovering from an illness or surgery you might like to give Annie a call and book a few days of holistic therapy.
Like the Ashbees, Annie has several strings to her bow. After thirty years in teaching and as a Primary School headmistress she decided to retrain as a holistic therapist and start a new life in the Lot and Garonne. From her home she offers reflexology, massage and Reiki to locals and as residential courses. Reiki is the Japanese way to stress reduction and relaxation, we could all do with some of that sometimes and even over the phone Annie just radiates calm and friendliness, so I can see why her courses are so popular. She is a Reiki Master and teaches Reiki techniques to others.
Annie also teaches English as a foreign language and has recently been asked by EDF to come and teach some of their employees, now that the company sells energy in the UK too. She has a lot of experience in dealing with children who have dropped out of regular schooling because of illness or other problems and because she is fluent in French she is still putting these skills to use with French children, helping them to catch up with their peers, overcome their fears and settle back into education. Her language skills also mean that she can offer translation services. Annie says she’s a typical Aquarian, she loves the variety of doing different jobs, whether that’s working away in her smart business clothes or sitting at home in her pyjamas doing a translation on her computer.
Like most people who wear several professional hats, she says she has a very low boredom threshold and could never go back to doing just one job, five days a week. Her advice to others who might be thinking of moving to France to work, rather than to retire is to make sure you have good language skills. Particularly if you’re hoping to find salaried work with a French company, you need to be able to talk to both clients and customers in a meaningful way and holiday French just won’t cut the moutarde.
Last but not least, meet Sylvia Benterman who had many years of teaching experience before coming to France. She lectured and was also an organizer for the Prince’s Trust. Together with her daughter Selina, she works as an agent for Usborne Books. They set up links with schools (including Bordeaux International School) and other organizations and promote the books with games and activities, such as creative writing and crafts. Recently they held a workshop event where the children made their own pop-up books and have also run science based activities, it all depends what subject area the schools would like to concentrate on. The pair also teach English as a foreign language to children and young people, using games, creative writing, puppets and computers and they teach English via distance learning.
Sylvia also has another ace up her sleeve, she works as an estate agent in her home region: Poitou Charentes. This work takes her out and about even more, but she loves houses and loves linking with people, so the job is ideal. It hasn’t always been plain sailing though, she tried to get into the teaching English to people in the Hôtel and Catering trade but found that in her area there was just too much competition. Ever the optimist she is now planning to open an after school club and holiday language clubs for both French and English children. She says that the secret to success in France is finding your own way; people who find decent salaried employment are few and far between.
So what can we learn from this gallant band? I think they all have all done an audit of their existing skills and put them to good use here in France but have added new skills, perhaps based on former hobbies or to answer a perceived need here in France. They work with both French and English speakers; they have something to keep them busy all year round, so if one area of work goes quiet, say over the winter, they have a plan B. Like all of us, they came to France for a complete change, in pursuit of a dream but with their heads firmly screwed on – even if that head is not always wearing the same hat! So three cheers for Brian and Krishna, Annie, Sylvia and Selina.
Contact details: -
Brian Ashbee
www.artsinthegarden.net
Tel 02 33 90 12 82
Annie Rogers
Astressolution@aol.com
Tel 05 53 88 02 47
Sylvia Benterman
benterman.sylvia2@orange.fr
Tel 05 46 32 38 99
Wendy Wise owns and runs www.facilitutors.com
which promotes courses of all sorts – for all sorts of people. So if you want to add another string to your bow or find out how Facilitutors can promote your courses contact
Wendy
wendywise3@hotmail.com
Tel 05 46 33 09 89
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