I GOT THIS SO WRONG | Early Retirement in France

[@BobMeacham-mn5jr]

Dear Rob and Lisa , happy new year to you all , let's all hope this year is a good one ! Please keep the videos coming !! Rob and Lola from Portishead XX

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@BobMeacham-mn5jr Hi Rob and Lola (she was a show girl?) Sorry I couldn’t help it Happy New Year guys. Glad you enjoy the videos 👍🇫🇷

[@OurFrenchHouseRenovation]

Thanks Guys for the great shout out, subscribers up by 30 since vid went out, have a great New Year see you next year... cheers

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@OurFrenchHouseRenovation That’s fantastic news mate. Really pleased it’s gone up by 30. Don’t lose your mojo 👍🇫🇷

[@glynislouis5778]

Oh! So felt your pain with the car issue! Just chop some wood, have a little chat about it and move on... so therapeutic! It does seem like a very 'chillax' season. Enjoy! You and Lisa stay well connected with friends and love entertaining. You are all there for each other. I enjoy being part of your day. Makes my day. Happy New Year and I look forward to being part of what 2025 will bring your way.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@glynislouis5778 Thank you so much Glynis. What a lovely comment. We are glad that we make your day. Hoping that you have a fantastic 2025 👍🇫🇷

[@hoppahoppa-yf2pi]

Happy new year before I forget and you watch the channels you been watching

[@margaretring3120]

Subscribed to Graham since he bought his French house and Frenchcountrylife. Thanks for the shout out to the other vlogs. Fingers X’d. I’m moving near to you soon. Happy New Year. 💕

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Hope you enjoy the other channels. We love them Happy New Year to you 👍🇫🇷

[@rmil4531]

Lovely relaxed video. What a smashing chap Colin is, I’m so glad you’ve met him😊All the best in the New Year.💕🌈

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Thank you so much. He is a true friend of ours along with his wife Jane

[@pascalsettimelli449]

thanks for the links happy new year best wishes

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@pascalsettimelli449 You are very welcome Pascal

[@alexparsons-moore9068]

As always, lovely to watch you and your family in France. Keep up the good work.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@alexparsons-moore9068 Thank you Alex so much. What a lovely comment All the best for 2025

[@ForagingFork]

Barbe à papa! 70's kids might remember the Barbapapa books and tv shows. Now I have the theme song in my head. My favorite was Barbazoo.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@ForagingFork Sounds like it’s been going for a long time. Sorry about the theme tune spinning in your head lol

[@christinaplaisted9563]

Love it when you put old film stars up,join the club doing things like that , but it normally comes in later years lol, well I know how to say goodmorning and how are you to the chicken's was your chicken trying to lay an egg while you were talking to us 😊 wishing you and your beautiful family a very Happy New year ❤❤❤

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@christinaplaisted9563 Thank you Christina as always. Hope you have a great New Year’s Eve and all the best for 2025 👍🇫🇷

[@CynthiaEvans-i2f]

Been watching Graham since his channel started!

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@CynthiaEvans-i2f That’s excellent Cynthia 👍🇫🇷

[@LetsChillPage]

Hi Rob and the lil family, 🌴🌞 Barbe à papa ? 😅(true that's funier in French than the English daddy's beard) Bon Jour de l'An et à l'année prochaine. ☮👈😎

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Thank you so much and we will see you next year too ……tomorrow 👍🇫🇷

[@dianesmith5254]

I like the way you don't hold back on quotes, say them how they are said😊 I also watch Graham. Just had to add this one, "you can fall in shite but come up smelling of roses" .Great vlog as usual Rob👍

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@dianesmith5254 Thanks Diane. Gotta love a quote. So glad you watch Graham’s channel 👍 Hoping you have a fantastic NYE

[@dianesmith5254]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente you all have a great end to the year too👍

[@Maria_and_Rich_Newlifeinfrance]

Just loving Lisa’s moustache! 😂 lovely video… btw don’t go for your control technique… it’s not due till next year, oops sorry my comment was too late! 😂 thanks for the shout out 😊 you and fam have a wonderful and happy new year!

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@Maria_and_Rich_Newlifeinfrance You funny f*Coker lol. Hope you have a great one guys 👍🇫🇷

[@loco4pack]

I know how you feel Rob. The Army taught me to pay attention to the details, and anytime I miss an obvious detail I get quite annoyed with myself. At least it wasn't the other way around and you missed when it was due and had consequences from it. Another great video. I'll see ya again in the New Year. Laterzzz

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Prior planning and preparation prevents piss port performance for sure. And yeah you are right. At least I wasn’t a year late Gary. Have a great NYE buddy 👍🇫🇷

[@francophiletb]

Bonne Annèe🎉😊

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Bonne Annèe aussi 👍🇫🇷

[@stephensmith277]

It's good to find diy channels in France. I known we have some repainting to do when we get over. I'm sure there is some cement rendering get rid of too.

[@blaire85]

Oh dear Rob, I shouldn't have but I did 😆😆😆😆😆😆. You've relaxed into life here, we get appointment dates wrong quite often.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@blaire85 Lol. I don’t even think the French would get it wrong by a year though ha ha

[@ChateauTales]

My grandad always used to say - "it's a good man with integrity who can admit when he's made a mistake"

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@ChateauTales Thanks Steve. I spend my whole day in confession to Lisa lol

[@ChateauTales]

@Escapetofrance-Charente 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sarahholland667]

Happy New Years Eve & Happy New Years Day 🎉❤🇫🇷

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@sarahholland667 Thank you Sarah and to you too

[@Dean-d3w]

Thank you Rob have a great new years eve & all the very best for 2025.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@Dean-d3w And you Dean, thank you so much 👍🇫🇷

[@alberthameijer9037]

that channel we follow from the beginning .he is truly a handy man and a very good artist to

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

He certainly is Albertha :)

[@joejojo4751]

Hey Rob CT in the morning for me 😂 get yourself on line with your ct station and they will send you reminders by post and txt you 24 hrs before your appointment so you don’t forget , cheers Joe

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@joejojo4751 Thanks Joe. I booked mine on line and they promised a text which never happened. It’s in my Alexa for next year mate

[@nettie8376]

Happy New Year🥳

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@nettie8376 Happy New Year to you too 👍🇫🇷

[@bridgetc7640]

You are wearing a sweatshirt! Makes me happy, even if that is not enough at 0° ! (I'm so ooooold)

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@bridgetc7640 Lol, I took it off not long after though.

[@nickjones210]

So I may or may not have done the same thing with the control technique and had a proper row with bmw in Brive

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

lol, I didn’t row. Just said Merde, apologised and said I would see them in 12 months lol

[@timtarby-donald]

Bon réveillon et bonne année to you & yours.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Too early. It's BAD LUCK.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@andrewrobinson2565 Is it? When should it be said?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@timtarby-donald Merci bien et a vous

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente Bon réveillon is okay. Bonne année can only be wished in France from midnight after the countdown until 31st January. Before and after that it's a big no-no. I'm only a naturalised Frenchman, but ask a "real one" for confirmation 👍. Bonne fête ce soir 🥳 🎉.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@ Thank you so much for the explanation. The rules are not strict in the UK if you wish it in the future tense 👍🇫🇷

[@Anyone4music]

Best thing EVER is to be a year early for a C.T. Way to go !

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@Anyone4music lol. Better than a year too late I suppose lol

[@Anyone4music]

Je vous souhaite, à vous et à votre famille, un joyeux et doux réveillon ! 💖

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@Anyone4music Merci bien et vous aussi 👍🇫🇷

[@darrylbutler2507]

Loving Robbie's pic of Colin. Good to see ya human Rob and make mistakes like the rest of us.....and no we won't remind you next year to take the car in and to which CT garage...Sounds like Lisa's upto form always with grub. Did Angel finish the bababababbabappapapapa bigger than head?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

lol. It’s in my calendar for next year mate……this year sorry. Angel smashed the babsbabababababababa to pieces. She normally leaves pudding but not that day lol

[@PeterParr-vz9gx]

Hope you all had a good Christmas and lead up to NYE we all have the flu so been sat next to the burner and that is as much as we did. 7 Ps mate that’s what comes to mind we have all been there at least you were early not two months later over here.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@PeterParr-vz9gx Thanks Peter. That’s awful that you have got the flu. Yep the 7 Ps flew out the window the other day lol

[@Belaziraf]

Good progresses in French Rob ! Once you start swearing in French, not just for your vids but in everyday life, you're on the right tracks ! Thinking in French, not necessarily having a French mindset. Barbapapa for cotton candy. Funny how the words make you funny too ! There is a cartoon series with that name in French too. Check it. I'm sure Angel will like it.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@Belaziraf Thank you. I will look for the cartoon tomorrow (Dessin animé) I actually said this swear words to the man in the office…..obviously about myself lol

[@bridgetc7640]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente You know about Barbapapa and Barbamama, don't you?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@bridgetc7640 I know the first one is a cartoon. What’s the second?

[@bridgetc7640]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente They are two characters in the cartoon. The dad and the mum of the barba-whatevers. I guess they look like candy floss blobs?

[@tedgalperalper1828]

You might consider buying a log splitter. Working with an ax may be good exercise, but it is dangerous. The machine would save you lots of time and reduce your exposure to accidents.

[@Maria_and_Rich_Newlifeinfrance]

Wouldn’t be as much fun to watch though…. 😅

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@Maria_and_Rich_Newlifeinfrance it most certainly wouldn’t be lol

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@tedgalperalper1828 I used to run into bullets, burning buildings and pub fights for a living. Health and safety is low down on the list for me. Plus log splitters are expensive and take 3 x as long as

[@kakikaka203]

barbe à papa ( dad 's beard) papapa funny ....One year, I forgot technical control car and I was not worried about that : someone said "do you knowthat without this control, your car 's insurance is not working" ... panic attack !

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@kakikaka203 Lol, I’m glad I made you laugh. Yeah the same in the UK too. Insurance is invalid too without a CT equivalent 👍🇫🇷

[@JoepMeijer]

The early bird gets the worm. Can happen to the best, messing up with dates. But better to early for MOT than to late. My mom told me not to play with food. Best wishes for you, Lisa, Robbie and Avangeline. See you next year. Laterzzzzz

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Thank Joep. There is early and then there is EARLY lol Have a great New Year and top marks for the correct spelling :)

[@willycarle3088]

Bonne saint Sylvestre à votre famille.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Merci bien et a vous aussi

[@retirement-adventures]

Haha. Yeah, I’ve been 24 hours too early for an appointment, but never a whole year. In Australia, our Roadworthy Certificate (MOT) is only issued once for the lifetime you own the vehicle. So if I bought a car today, the seller pays for the Roadworthy, and I don’t need another one until I sell the car 20 years later if I’m too old to drive.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@retirement-adventures Bkoody hell? So a car only needs to road worthy once? No annual checks on emissions, brakes, lights etc

[@retirement-adventures]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente - that's correct. Stu

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@retirement-adventures That literally makes safety sense lol

[@retirement-adventures]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente - Cheap as chips. $96 (47 pounds) for your ownership life.

[@KSweeney36]

Which channel would you recommend to also get Language tips etc

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@KSweeney36 AT Frenchies for sure

[@tedgalperalper1828]

I have been watching a lot of the French château people for a number of years. There is one particular individual in Bordeaux who has a large wedding facility that his parents owned and his wife now runs. He has done a number of DIY things over the years. The problem is DIY is boring except if you are an obsessive DIY person. Escape to rural France is about a young man who took on an incredible project, restoring a château and is really going great guns. He used to be the gardener on Château diaries. It is DIY, but it is on a massive scale and also very dangerous times. He has an incredible number of followers that is grown incredibly fast.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@tedgalperalper1828 Hi Ted, I referenced Dan when I was talking to Colin. We’ve unsubscribed from his channel because like you said “Unless you are heavily into DIY”

[@balibelle63]

Dan works so hard & has taken on a huge project. We can follow lots of channels. They are all unique ​@@Escapetofrance-Charente

[@francophiletb]

Candy floss, the translation does not work 😅, Great content, thankyou. Sometimes translating has to stop and just go with the flow. I've learnt French since leaving school I'm now 57, it's took me till now to master the letter R. How do you as a family learn French?. ❤

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@francophiletb Lol, I agree the translation does work at all. But it’s fun to say out load. I do Duolingo everyday as does Lisa and Robbie. Been on that for 3 years now. The kids are in French schools full time and that’s how they learn French We’re getting slowly but surely Great question 👍🇫🇷

[@francophiletb]

Thanks for the reply, Best wishes for the future and looking forward to great content. I've a vpn, Cyberghost so daily French Radio, Tele, and even changed my phone and tablet to the French Language lol its extreme but like you and Lisa, J' adore La France, Had nothing but French cars too, at the minute I've a 3008 Peugeot. Happy New year, Bonne Annèe😊

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

You’ve gone full beast mode with the French mate. Have a great new year 👍🇫🇷

[@mymm38]

Nice video as usual. But beware ! if you were someday to buy what we call an ''utilitaire'' (2 seats and a little cargo bay), then you would have an other control : between the years you have a ''plain'' control, you have a special one only about pollution matters. Which we sometimes forget !!

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@mymm38 Oh I’ve seen them a few times on the road. Are they very small and slow?

[@debrarobinson57]

Just being nosy - is Lisa still having riding lessons? Have a great New Year's Eve.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@debrarobinson57 Hey. She’s taking a break as she can only do them on a certain day which the school can’t do. Maybe in a few weeks but not sure Have a great NYE too 👍🇫🇷

[@KSweeney36]

Didn’t have to paid for french MoT meant fuel was free. Is a brilliant example of girl maths!! 😂😂 love it!

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@KSweeney36 Love it. Girl maths lol

[@allegromoderato7404]

Bon ben voilà... On n'est pas depuis deux ans en France qu'on se met déjà à râler et à jurer comme un chartier... C'est parfait 😁😁😁

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

C'est drôle. Croyez-moi quand je dis que je jure qu'il y en aura beaucoup plus hors caméra

[@allegromoderato7404]

@Escapetofrance-Charente Si tu jures en français et que cela te vient naturellement, ton intégration est parfaitement réussie 😂

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Lentement mais sûrement

[@SandyAdam]

Did I miss a link to the channel you recommended?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@SandyAdam No they are all in the description to the video

[@SandyAdam]

@ thank you!

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@SandyAdam No. Thank YOU lol

[@johnhanson5565]

The man who made nothing ,never made a mistake, we were always told.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@johnhanson5565 Yep. If you are not failing you ain’t learning. We’ve always told our kids that 👍🇫🇷

[@florences3963]

Rob at least you owned up to the mistake easily done. I've had several moments like that with hospital app for family members and was a week out on one of them then another was a phone call face to face but we turned up at the hospital. How daft we felt. Now we laugh about it all looking back.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@florences3963 Thank you Florence, at least I’m not the only one. Lost count at the amount of hair cut appointments I’ve missed lol 👍🇫🇷

[@banzy3]

Barbe à papa (candyfloss) or Barbapapa the kid's cartoon! ?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Candy Floss - Glad my accent did not ruin it lol

[@banzy3]

Oops, I replied before hearing your response! :D My kids loved the Barbapapa (looks like a giant candyfloss) books when they were young.

[@mototakahe836]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente You knew the word in American English. new vocab for today in french.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@ Boom. Today was a good day lol

[@lisadurban3525]

Well done shouting out Graham. He is very talented so like and subscribe. KZbin do unsubscribe people randomly. So check you haven't been unsubscribed from favorite channels. Laterzzz

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@lisadurban3525 Hi Lisa. KZbin can be very naughty when it comes to unsubscribing people. Laterzzz

[@DorothyDianeParker-to2qr]

Graham has been at that for a while...Diane et Eliott le Chien

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@DorothyDianeParker-to2qr It’s a labour of love for sure. It’s because he is still based in the UK

[@didierlacroix6488]

Mon cher Rob, I replied a commentary which I thought was pretty mean as to " French hypocrisy " . Yes, we're a bunch of crazy peasants like I said but certainly not hypocrites but educated and with values . I'm glad you're not a cop anymore and glad you are outside your jurisdiction anyway because I'd be under arrest right now :) I'm a pretty straightforward honest person and I say things as I feel, no matter what. I am truly amazed at the number of channels called " escape to France" and variations.I don't know what you guys are escaping from: is it brexit, unaffordable housing, bad heathcare system, bad economy ? I don't know. If I was to move to England, the plague island, I would not define me as an " expat" ( a luxury term for immigrant in my view ) and I would certainly not critize people who welcome me, try to learn the language, etc...I look at all these brit channels and it is funny : " This country ( France ) would be magnifiscent without all these Frrench people, or " how come they don't speak English " ? I see this everyday on chateau renovation diaries on the internet and it bothers me. Tu es le bienvenu dans mon pays , toi et ta famille. portes-toi bien . Didier

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Hi Didier, Thanks for the comment and explanation. I doubt you would be arrested for expressing free speech lol I don’t know why other channels are called ‘Escape to France’ but for our family it’s because……..go and take a look at my video called ‘PTSD and me’ That explains all Have a great NYE mate 👍🇫🇷

[@didierlacroix6488]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente Salut mon ami Rob, when I came across your channel, I felt you were special and I still do. I watched your video about your PTSD experience and what consequences involved in your life. very honest and powerful video of your life experience. Having suffered for many years from heavy depression episodes in my personal life, I understand. I get it.... please, feel welcome in this country, I hope you'll find peace of mind and happiness among good French people. Have a great NYE mon pote. ps: throw away your cuffs, you can't arrest me , I know you are disappointed Lol

[@CynthiaEvans-i2f]

[@herkeberkederk49]

Brooke and Rebecca only posted 5 times this year and 4 of those videos were comedy so there isn't so much to see anymore. They, like you, are amazing people. They're just less than 2 hours north of you (Google says 1h49m). Go get them to come back?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Hopefully they’ll come back with more regular videos because they are thoroughly enjoyable. They have released a new one this week. 👍🇫🇷

[@herkeberkederk49]

@@Escapetofrance-Charente Definitely saw it. Someday we'll make it there, too! Bonne annee!

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@herkeberkederk49 Happy New Year too 🇫🇷👍

[@jeanmas4197]

You can say: 1. "putain, J'ai bien merdé la" 2. "putain de bordel de merde" 3. "j'me suis couvert de pisse" 4. "j'en ai vraiement fais une grosse la" 5. "j'suis con comme une bille ou quoi?"

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@jeanmas4197 what do they all mean?

[@stephen10.]

You could also have discovered Europe by traveling in a camper van and to keep a house in UK or to rent houses in europe.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Not interested in discovering Europe. Just living in France

[@brianharper8304]

what is so good about keeping a house in the uk ?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@brianharper8304 Exactly that Brian….fack all

[@stephen10.]

@@brianharper8304 The price is higher than in FRA, you can return easily in uk or to rent it. Personnaly i would keep something ( house, flat, field) in my native country.

[@richardnunn3205]

Look on the bright side! You've saved a few quid.

[@richardnunn3205]

Don't forget to take the Carte Gris. I did that once. 😊

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@richardnunn3205 I know. I reframed and said that my fuel was free 👍🇫🇷

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@richardnunn3205 That’s how he knew….it was on there.

[@michaelthailande8768]

oui c'est bien barbe à papa , bonne prononciation !

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@michaelthailande8768 MDR, Merci bien

[@timtarby-donald]

Barbe à Papa - candy floss

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@timtarby-donald Excellent, well done. At least my accent is understandable lol

[@fionacoutts7733]

Beard of Pappa

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@fionacoutts7733 That’s it. I’m amazed you could tell what I was saying from my accent lol

[@agnesmichel1286]

Contrôle technique : next year is almost on us, so...

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@agnesmichel1286 It’s exactly 12 months for me lol

[@remipersonne1375]

I hope it wasn't your children who taught you those bad words! 1:51 🤔

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@remipersonne1375 Lol, we researched before we come out here. I’ve heard quite a lot of French people saying it under their breath not realising I understand more than what they think I do. It’s very funny 👍🇫🇷

[@lisadurban3525]

Baba pappa

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@lisadurban3525 Close but no cigar lol

[@Willy-pn3ej]

Ba ba pa pap?

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

Barbe á papa

[@Willy-pn3ej]

@Escapetofrance-Charente As soon as you explained it, I could hear the "r".

[@charmees6637]

Relax Rob there’s not a human on earth who hasn’t made a mistake in something so don’t worry. I’ve gone to the International Airport here in Sydney to catch a plane to New Zealand only to discover I’m a week early? Go figure? So embarrassing. 🤔🫢🫣😩

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@charmees6637 Thanks Char. A bloody week early? I bet that knocked all of your plans out for sure 👍🇫🇷

[@tedgalperalper1828]

You might consider buying a log splitter. Working with an ax may be good exercise, but it is dangerous. The machine would save you lots of time and reduce your exposure to accidents.

[@Escapetofrance-Charente]

@@tedgalperalper1828 Ted, I used ti run toward heavy small arms fire for a living. Health and safety is low down for me lol Log splitters take ten times longer and are very expensive

[@tedgalperalper1828]

I have been watching a lot of the French château people for a number of years. There is one particular individual in Bordeaux who has a large wedding facility that his parents owned and his wife now runs. He has done a number of DIY things over the years. The problem is DIY is boring except if you are an obsessive DIY person. Escape to rural France is about a young man who took on an incredible project, restoring a château and is really going great guns. He used to be the gardener on Château diaries. It is DIY, but it is on a massive scale and also very dangerous times. He has an incredible number of followers that is grown incredibly fast.