My biggest frustration living in rural France | Preparing our homestead for summer

[@LivingintheLoire]

To take part in the Lingoda Sprint or Super Sprint use the code LOIRE2023 or follow this link for €20 off your deposit try.lingoda.com/Livingintheloire_Sprint

[@beverleybarnes5656]

Was that your baby boy, at the end of the video, balancing so well as he walked behind big brother? My, how time flies! Thank you for sharing your life with your followers on KZbin,😊

[@georgehosea139]

You are a very hard working and focused couple, I love your zeal and determination to succeed, cheers to you all and good luck.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks George!

[@marylamb1407]

I love your videos, particularly the music. Very Hildur Guðnadóttir (ish)

[@warwickkeene363]

Listening to your talking, I think your French is already very good. You seem toahve a good accent, too, although what would I know, un anglais. Enjoy the blogs, I am with you in spirit from Qld, Oz

[@elainepatterson9573]

Totally disagree with the music comment - it adds to the ambiance, is well chosen and I love it. You guys are such hard workers and the boys are just adorable ❤ many congratulations on reaching 60 k subs btw

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Elaine 😊

[@dianabarrick4663]

I agree with you. Never mind the negative comments, you are perfect! Very much enjoy your vlogs!!! Keep them coming!! ❤

[@gailhunt7538]

Absolutely

[@MariaPerez-uv8mm]

you live such a beautiful life :-) I envy you in a good way. May the good Lord bless you and your precious little boys!

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Gaedel

[@57motherbear]

I see you struggling with weeds in areas that you never plan to plant in. I’m in northern Canada, and also have a property that is challenged by couch grass. I accidentally discovered that wall to wall carpeting is thee best solution for weed suppression. Especially the man made fiber kind, like polyester, nylon, or acrylic, or the sort found in hotels. This is often free if it is coming out of a building that is replacing carpet. It does not hold water, but weeds will not grow through it. I now use it as a permanent base for walkways below mulch, under any deck structure, I have it in a front bed, I just cut holes in it to plant my shrubs in. I am installing some carpet right away and plan to cut holes in it for tomatoes next year. I will then rotate those out for a different plant the following season. I mulch over it only for looks, not because it needs it.

[@denisemurphy3915]

Incredibly calm and loving family, a great advertisement for emigration to France.

[@jean-philippelafont4577]

Everyone looks fine, healthy and smiling under the sun: I'm happy for you.

[@JulieParisiArt]

My second language is Spanish and when I want to learn, I watch Spanish tv shows. It helps me, so perhaps add French TV to your life to work on your vocab?

[@creativecottage6137]

Bless your little sweethearts.

[@fonitronik]

What a nice ending for this episode.

[@nancibishof6462]

The garden is really coming along beautifully this year. You have done so much to expand and improve it.

[@chloeuntrau4588]

Corn beans and squash (the "3 sisters") Native American way where each plant helps the others...

[@LivingintheLoire]

Yes!

[@patriziadelorenzis378]

I adore your earth and your beautful stones and your daffodils. It's always great seeing cement being replaced by lime mortar. Admirable work , educational example for all, who like me enjoy watching you.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thank you Patrizia

[@beverleybarnes5656]

Great to see you spreading compost with bare hands. 😊

[@omkarpatwardhan3070]

I love the fact that for a more tranquil and simpler life you guys shifted. I would certainly want to do that. I hope you remain happy and in good health and calm and tranquil in this whirlpool of chaos in the world

[@LivingintheLoire]

We weren't made for the fast-paced life. This suits us better. It is indeed a whirlpool of chaos out there.

[@janeblandford852]

Your gardens are looking so good and love seeing all that you do. I admire your lifestyle and it is wonderful that you are able to grow your own food. Your boys are lovely...thank you!!

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Jane. I'm really looking forward to seeing it in a few weeks when it's all blooming!

[@Gadgetmumma]

I’ve just come across your channel and I’m now watching your back catalogue. I’m loving the way you’re working with the land and showing your boys how to grow your own food. You couldn’t possibly eat all you grow. Are you going to sell at local markets? I’m loving the sense of humour you both have and your seemingly indefatigable penchant for tackling the big and the not so big, interesting and mundane, repetitive jobs.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Jenny, hope you're enjoying the back catalogue!

[@daniellereid01]

What wonderful work you are doing! I know it must be back-breaking at times, but you are building a beautiful life and home for your two precious children and yourselves. I am in awe! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Paris. You've always got to keep the end goal in mind on the tough days 😊

[@Susan.I]

Great tip about the coffee grounds!

[@robjkearley]

I’ve appreciated all your vlogs since the beginning but the style, pacing, and content of the last few have been particularly enjoyable. Thank you.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Rob

[@tonieveritt7045]

hi you two you have built something specital you really have i no it was a lot of hard work but wow well done the brits dont give up just keep going

[@antonybrilland7058]

Great video. The pointing on the barn looks so nice. You're not late on the garden. We just have planted some potatoes.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Yes it's definitely a later spring this year. The daffodils were much later coming up than last year.

[@johnmcnichol8330]

The garden looks great! Your sons are very cute!

[@Neilhuny]

I'm genuinely impressed with the Lingoda Sprint tuition .. I'm near certain that I will follow that up ...

[@LivingintheLoire]

Good luck with it Neil!

[@gailhunt7538]

I love your videos, how hard you work , amazing , and I love the music on every video , not sure why a comment is that it is loud …. It’s all beautiful and gets into your soul , that’s what is special about your videos , they are varied , with great filming and music and great content not just a lot of jabbering chat like others . Beautiful

[@lefeburececile2515]

Que de travail accompli depuis la dernière vidéo ! C'est très beau ! Vos enfants sont adorables et me rappellent mes deux garçons lorsqu'ils étaient enfants. Bel fin d'après-midi et à bientôt !

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thank you so much Cecile. How old are your children now?

[@lefeburececile2515]

@@LivingintheLoire Ils viennent d'avoir quasiment en même temps leurs anniversaires, Paul 30 ans et Jules 27 ans ! J'ai profité à fond d'eux et je ne le regrette pas ! Je vous admire beaucoup dans votre projet de vie. C'est magnifique. Beau dimanche à vous !

[@usernamefr]

Votre français est bon ! Le vocabulaire viendra avec le temps :)

[@petebartlett2229]

Beautiful and tranquil,I can’t wait to move

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Pete, do you already have a place over here?

[@luthermanning6945]

Glorious! Hard work pays off.

[@banksiasong]

That was a beautiful film. Impressed with how many skills you have both achieved, and are willing to take on and learn. If it is a hot summer, putting up sun cloth as shade sails in front of the southern walls can keep your home cooler. Also not working in the heat of the day between 10am and 3pm is helpful for your physical and mental health. Best wishes to your beloved family.

[@ginacrusco234]

Lots of hard work moving earth, moving water, moving plants, moving cardboard...although I'm not always clear what the aim is. I hope everything comes to fruition as you would want.

[@maitegonzalez1261]

Your garden is starting to look amazing, good job keep going😊 Keep us posted of progress thanks a lot

[@karenhantsche9270]

Magnifique! It is so wonderful to see you all thriving!

[@theactualizingwoman]

You are both very inspiring. Thank you for doing what you do x

[@WravTil]

Nice VLOG as usual. We moved to France in the early 80s when we were about your age with my American company. I only had O-level French, but I worked with a lady who didn't like to speak English which was great because i had lessons every day. We also didn't have internet back then so only had French TV to watch with limited programming. News every night at 8 and then a movie, so that improved our vocabulary immensely. My wife's French was better than mine (A level) so she helped me too. Our kids started with French as their first language and unfortunately we didn't keep it up when we got back to the UK. Son started French at school soon after we got back but of course was better than all his teachers so didn't need to work at it - he still has a lovely accent and would soon pick it up again if immersed. Daughter had a 2 year gap and lost it, but she still has the language circuits in her brain so picked up Italian very quickly when she moved out there (we were living there too by then and she met a local boy when on holiday with us). Your children will pick it up so quickly when they start school...

[@LivingintheLoire]

It's certainly very humbling how quickly children pick up other languages. Yes, immersion is definitely the best way. We both used to be English as a Foreign Language teachers so know what we need to be doing in theory, it's just actually doing it that is the stumbling block. And of course the internet makes it so easy to only watch things English. Google translate is amazing but I find it means I often just rely on it (with writing) rather than actually trying to write it in French.

[@jennistevenson796]

The new beds look fantastic, beautiful compost. I might do the lingoda sprint ??. Jardiland have chicks in from next Friday. We will be eating the first or this years asparagus tomorrow ! With our girls poached eggs and butter from the pre joly. Best thing about this log, beautiful super cute boys and Brook didn’t say much 😮 xxx

[@LivingintheLoire]

Go for it! I've found classes in the morning tend to be quieter (just one or two other students) compared to lunchtime onwards - when the US is awake. There's a max of 5 so it's never that busy just depends what you prefer. I'd just say to double check the day and time of the lesson before booking because I find their booking calendar can be a little confusing (it's easy to scroll onto the next day/week without realising). Enjoy the asparagus and eggs! Yum!

[@leannebatten5761]

Love your video's and all your hard work is paying off....well done

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thank you!

[@kathyweiner6392]

I love your channel. The beauty of creating a self sufficient life style is so appealing to me. And it is all coming along so well. Be thank full for this opportunity as the rest of the world goes mad, you can remove yourselves from it all and have some peace. (and quiet)

[@SusanZiegler]

I am new to your videos, and am completely enchanted. One thing would have been helpful: dates (month and year) at some point in the video or in the title would be great to help those of us binging on 3 years' worth all at once!

[@twoeejitsinfrance]

Hey guys I have well rotted manure if you would like some. Mountains of it. We are in Loudun.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Yes please!

[@twoeejitsinfrance]

I will send you a message through Insta.

[@denisemastromina7821]

I'm wondering if opening a doorway between the stone(struts) A) be a lot of hard work as they are thick and B) destabilise the barn wall C) when you close them up perhaps it would be easier to change the angles to make it just high enough for a door on the front of each bay on 1 side something like a (dormer door) you could have the doors on 2 bays together with the strut in-between but actually tieing the door frames together for strenght this would be a lot quicker and less dangerous. You are making a really good job on the pointing it looks so easy but I am sure it isn't 😊😊😊

[@LivingintheLoire]

Putting in a door in the buttress may cause problems. But it is reinforced with a metal frame which connects to the main beams of the barn. Our plans are constantly evolving. We are going ahead with making the middle section a lean to green house with the entrance coming from the main barn wall. For now that might be sufficient. The other section we are considering either as the place for water harvesting (IBCs) or a permanent cold frame. Thanks for your comment.

[@denisemastromina7821]

@@LivingintheLoire yes an opening from the main barn will give you more work space to grow on seedlings 👍👍👍👍

[@sgrvtl7183]

Wonderful progress, the garden areas are looking good, always a JOY to see Spring blossoms on the fruit trees! 💗💚🤎 Your little boys are ADORABLE~💙

[@FrenchFarmhouseDiaries]

Its fantastic to see we influenced you guys and you are copying our full system lets hope more people come on board in the garden and start to no dig and use cardboard and compost and build long beds it totally makes sense as you guys are finding out all the best Budo & Tracy at French farmhouse diaries 🍺🤠👍

[@LivingintheLoire]

We've been following Charles Dowding since we lived in the UK so couldn't wait to have our own space to try out no dig for ourselves. It's worked so well for us since our butternut squash bed when we first moved in. I can never get over how many worms there are!!

[@FrenchFarmhouseDiaries]

@@LivingintheLoire yes its a great way to grow we started back in the UK in 2015 and have never looked back Charles doesn't like growing in long narrow rows like us his beds are around 4 to 5 feet wide and also he's not keen on wood chips as paths also be carful not to use pine or any ever greens for chippings in the paths as in a couple of years your soil will turn acid and will make your plants struggle and don't forget to lime under your cardboard and bashes to keep the slugs out or it will be there breeding ground and you will be over run all the best Budo

[@agardenramble4479]

Thank you for sharing! Love watching you create beautiful spaces!

[@christinevanwolleghem7872]

Rebecca je trouve que vous avez un bon accent français. Bon courage !

[@LivingintheLoire]

Merci Christine!

[@gailhunt7538]

Yes I do too , well done Rebecca

[@schweizermadel3810]

My advice for learning a partly forgotten (oder even newly to learn) language, listen to audiobooks of novels. The readers usually have a very good pronunciation. In your case, your memory will reactivate your once learned vocabulary quickly, and hearing the melody of the language helps a lot in getting more confortable and ready in the instant with speaking. Of course, with two toddlers it's not easy to take the time to do so. Wishing you a lot of joy in regaining your french skills. I personally find it very enjoyable to speak foreign languages, even if I do not speak any of them perfectly.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Audiobooks are a great idea, thank you!

[@arnicepernice8656]

Will you have perennials like artichokes, kale? Your ground preparation is a thing of beauty. Happy plants 😊

[@LivingintheLoire]

Yes, we've got a bit of kale but I'd like to have a whole bed dedicated to perennials. More food for less effort is definitely a winner!

[@timsager6153]

your gardens are coming along. Do you anticipate at some point selling some of your produce given the anticipated food shortage in Europe

[@LivingintheLoire]

Possibly in the future. There are lots of holiday lets in the area so thats certainly a market we could target. For the moment though any extra that we have, that we can't store ourselves, we'll just give to locals.

[@TheNorthBranchWI]

I love the garden! I am planning on building something very similar this year. I have wood chips and soil on the way once all of the snow melts. Once again, awesome video. You have really turned that place into a dream property in a short amount of time. French seems like it would be frustrating to master on top of everything else you have going on.

[@LivingintheLoire]

It's more that it's frustrating I *can't* master it 😂. Thanks for the comment. Good luck with your build.

[@donnabrennan2031]

your hard work is paying off. love to see a lovely kept garden. looking fab.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Donna

[@denisemastromina7821]

salt water promotes rust the lid on the little jar is in the saltwater I'm not sure but if the rust leeches into the saltwater it could spoil your garlic😢😢😢😢

[@GoingsoloinFrance]

What did you put on the cardboard, Woodchips?

[@johnlorrieboskovic2836]

You may have covered this in a previous video, but I was wondering how difficult it is to gain a residency visa in France? I totally get the reasons why you chose to make the move but every country has its own bureaucracy that has to be navigated. The kids certainly seem to be enjoying life there!

[@LivingintheLoire]

France certainly likes its fair share of bureaucracy but the move shouldn't be too hard. For us it was pretty straightforward as we got in before the end of the Brexit transition period. Now you would need to apply for a long stay visa (1 year) and then once here apply for your residence permit. The main hurdle for most people will be income. If youre able to work online or have a job lined up in advance then obviously that's sorted. Or, if you're retired and have a pension. If you're, for example, planning to do up somewhere to rent as Gites it would be harder to reach the min income level within the year as you probably wouldn't be earning initially. There are lots of companies that can help you navigate the process if needed. I think Portugal is easier to gain residency but France is not that tricky.

[@johnlorrieboskovic2836]

@@LivingintheLoire Good stuff! Thank you!

[@truth3358]

Putting water down on cardboard will encourage growth below 😊

[@zoe440]

Hi Rebecca! Nice to see and hear more from you in this video although we love Brook too 😊 I was curious to hear that you have RA in another video - I have this too. Hope it's ok to ask if it started when you were a child? Mine started in my late 20s after having kids 😵 I'd be really grateful to hear about your journey if you're willing to share (and no worries at all if not). I haven't gone down the allopathic route so I'm always curious to hear how other people manage their RA. Thanks for another great video.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Hi Zoe! Thanks for your message. Mine started when I was 12 and luckily improved with pregnancy and breastfeeding. I imagine it'll crop back up at some point though. Happy to talk about it - I just never think anyone will find it interesting 😂

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Votre vocabulaire reviendra, chère Rebecca. Mais vous avez déjà quelque chose de très bien et naturellement : un très bon accent ! You'll get back your vocabulary, dear Rebecca. But be aware that you have something really good and which comes quite naturally : your accent ! Very good, indeed 😉

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement ☺️

[@isabelleweller411]

You need to make French friends , I am French living in the US for 34 years , I learned English in no time socializing with Americans and watching shows

[@coby6417]

🌟👏👍🍀💐 16:14

[@KathysFlog]

❤❤

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

Parce que il faisait nuit ce matin…..you need to create opportunities to chat with native speakers. Perhaps you could find an association in your area

[@LivingintheLoire]

I always think of the right to say in the middle of the following night 😂

[@davideborgna4918]

💪💪💪👍👋

[@RobWalker1]

I'm curious about how you have permission to stay longer than the permitted 90 days in the EU.. does one of you have an EU passport? or does the buying of the house give you permission to stay?

[@LivingintheLoire]

We had to apply for residency permits. We still have British nationality but we're fiscally residents of France ie we pay our taxes in France.

[@RobWalker1]

@@LivingintheLoire ah ok! Thanks!

[@janicewood6779]

Music is a bit over the top.. just saying .. love you both though…

[@huquui8789]

C'est fou comment la voix change en parlant une autre langue 😮

[@_FedericoTalksWatches_.]

the richest people in the world are farmers

[@cos161]

The music is too loud

[@wendygillard2133]

I have to agree that the music at the beginning was rather annoying & although I do enjoy watching your progress, it does annoy me that you don’t greet your audience or talk about what’s happening.

[@LivingintheLoire]

Sorry to hear someone is forcing you to watch our films. That sounds like a horrible situation.

[@elainepatterson9573]

😂😂😂

[@elainebentley2093]

Why the sarcasm?

[@LivingintheLoire]

@@elainebentley2093 The British are injected with a strong dose of sarcasm serum at birth, blame the NHS, not me.

[@arnicepernice8656]

I wonder if you need to watch a relaxation vlog before you watch anything. You sound a little uptight which is a shame. This is a lovely channel. I always say ‘ don’t knock someone for trying’. BTW filming a dog killing an insect is not my idea of fun.

[@judyshort38]

that music at the beginning was very annoying.

[@dano9704]

along with your bad breath

[@elainepatterson9573]

Get a life and watch another channel .

[@marylamb1407]

The music is very much like Hildur Guðnadóttir's. I like it.

[@judyshort38]

@@esmekaffen4961 oh so you will criticize me for criticizing the music??? that's ok, I just unsubscribed. Problem solved.

[@dano9704]

@@judyshort38 thank god...

[@judyshort38]

I have unsubscribed so you don't have to worry. You can play whatever crappy music you want.

[@LivingintheLoire]

So glad we have your approval Judith, congrats on your 13th birthday recently.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Thanks for unsubscribing 🙂 Congratulations to your parents for the amazing education they gave you ! 🙂

[@dano9704]

wonderful job family! keep up the primo work!

[@LivingintheLoire]

Thanks Dan