Less foreign now….
In fact–Tout va très bien chez nous! 🇫🇷
Yesterday we collected our Certificates of Naturalisation from the Prefecture of our department (Tarn).
Then we sat in a traditional brasserie in a traditional French square and drank a traditional French petit café
and felt good about it!
The cup was slightly bigger and less thick than normal and the coffee was clearly the issue of arabica beans– brilliantly hot and delicious.
Maybe it was our delight we were tasting–but NO! it was the best café coffee I’ve tasted in years.
I will never be French and Meredith will never be British or French; but we now are undeniably bonefide French Citizens.
We can vote in the national elections for the President and the government of the country in which we pay our taxes. We have representation when we are taxed (especially meaningful for Meredith!).
Please excuse my perhaps over-enthusiastic donning of rose-coloured spectacles, but today I feel fully “legit” and c’est bien ça !
Twenty-two years ago, when we told our friends that we were moving permanently to France, the news received a mixed reception.
Many people were skeptical.
“They’ll be back in six months,” predicted some.
“What are you going to DO there?” others asked.
“Have you spent a WINTER there?” (1200 kilometres south of London!)–another, puzzling reaction.
Two decades plus down the road….
Well–Stephen Sondheim’s superb French-Canadian interpreter, Jasmin Roy, tells it better than me…
A great tale splendidly told by happy people. Congratulations.
Thanks, Irv. An honour to get your blessing.
Safe journey and arrival for you both, demain.
Robin
Your eyes are smiling. Congratulations.
Congratulations 🍾🎊 Best Wishes
Congratulations! 😀
PS Robin, we had a friend in common, I was a friend of Michael Williams (of St Teath) he spoke highly of you, he recalled your stay at his home when I interviewed him a few years ago.
Michael and Sonia published my Poldark memoir and trusted me with the writing of it. I m ever in their debt.
Sorry, I have only just spotted your response, Robin, thank you, I appreciate it. I interviewed Michael in his study, (a converted byre) he said it was the building you stayed in during that time. Sadly, Michael passed away a few years ago. On a separate note, you will always be Ross Poldark to me, and Angharad, my Demelza, what a beautiful lady!
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ellis: Congratulations on your new French citizenship. May you enjoy it happily for many, many years to come. Thank you also for the link to Jasmine Roy –I’m a big Sondheim fan, and she’s a very good interpreter of “I’m still here” –I remember when Carol Burnette sang it in the revival of “Follies” in concert form, back in 1985. With every best wish, Marta Varela Caunes-Minervois
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you, Marta. Nice that Jasmine is French Canadian
Citizenship and a great cup of coffee – Life is good.
Toutes nos félicitations, Robin & Meredith!
Merci Douglas!
Many, many congratulations to you both. I’m soo envious that not only are you French citizens but also you remain Europeans!
With all good wishes Oriole
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Thanks, Oriole.
Many congratulations Robin and Meredith!!
Lovely–thanks, Madeleine. Hi to John.
Felicitations M et Mme Ellis!
I am really pleased for you both. As a fellow naturalized blow-in living in France there is something very reassuring in being a citizen of the country we live in.
On est bien d’accord!
Dear Robin and Meredith, Congratulations to you both! Wishing you many more happy, healthy years in France. I am a ‘Poldark’ fan from Masterpiece Theatre in the ’70s. And now we’re all senior citizens! Stay well. Maureen Harney Lincoln Park, MI USA
We are indeed–no denying! Thank you, Maureen.
Toutes nos félicitations!
C’est gentil, Merci!
Dear Robin & Meredith, sincere congratulations and Bonne Chance! How wonderful for you both! As a Francophile from way back, I envy your marvelous adventure. I am of the belief that I may have lived in France during a past life, and hope that I will again the next time around ☺
Thank you, Mora.
Many Congratulations or Llongyfarchiadau Gwresog ( I am a 1st language, Welsh speaker)on receiving your certificates. Must be long-awaited and very welcome.
Please don’t be strangers to these shores, though. We all enjoy your visits.
Still hoping to attend one of your cookery classes if you should decide to re-commence them.
Thanks, Carol–no plans at the moment.
Brilliant
We have to say you did it!!!
Congratulations!
Citizens of the EU again!🦋
Thanks, Lucy!
Toutes mes félicitations. Je vous souhaite, Meredith, et les chats une longue et prospère vie en France!
Merci, Susan
Merci, Susan.
Excellent news. Very happy for you. You must feel great contentment at last.
We do, Mary.
Felicitations! And love to Meredith.I moved to Spain last year to escape Brexit and am still thinking about taking citizenship…
Enjoy your cooking and cat updates regularly.
Thank you
Best wishes
Beth (Martin)
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Thanks, Beth. Wise move on your part–good luck.
Congratulations! God bless you and your lovely wife, may you both live a long healthy 🙏 and prosperous life together ❤ in France 🇫🇷
Merci beaucoup from us both.
Congratulations! I loved the comment about Meredith and the appreciation of representation when taxed! Best wishes for continued happiness and contentment. 🇪🇺
Merci!
Congratulations and best wishes for you both. I know that you are both very happy and, indeed, thrilled!
We are! Thanks.
Congratulations, I’m so happy for you both. I’m there (in France) in spirit as I’m ready to Am-Exit.
Merci beaucoup!
Congratulations to you both,
Thank you.
I have been listening to a 1989 dramatisation of Wilkie Collins’ novel No Name on BBC Sounds and you appeared this morning as Captain Kirke! It’s very good! I’m so pleased they are broadcasting it again.
I don’t remember doing this! Oh dear! But thanks for telling me. I might read the novel…
Sophie Thompson is in it as the heroine Magdalen Vanstone – your character saves her from destitution!
That’s a relief! I have bought the book and will listen. It has a fine cast.
Britain’s and America’s loss is France’s gain. Bon Voyage. I could be envious but won’t stoop there. Blessings and congratulations.
Merci beaucoup!
Congratulations both… superb news…tres bien…however, robin, you will always be an honorary Cornishman to me….enjoy your day…xx trudy bodmin xx
Thanks, Trudy. Proud to be thought of as an honorary Cornishman–thanks!
Congratulations to you both! Jane and Dan Berical
Merci beaucoup a vous deux!
Wonderful news that you have your French Naturalisation. Congratulations!
Merci!
Congratulations! May you continue happy and prosperous in your new nationality. France is fortunate to have both of you as citizens. I just recommended your cookbooks to a cousin diagnosed with diabetes. She remembered you from Poldark and will obtain copies as soon as possible.
Thank you Alix, I hope she finds them helpful.
Mazal Tov!
It’s official now!
Thanks-merci!
Dear Robin and Meredith – such wonderful news for you both, at long last! I’ve just discovered that having an Irish great-grandmother might afford me an Irish passport – fingers crossed! But thrilled for you. Much love from us both x
Congratulations!
From a naturalized American in Mayenne.
Andrea
A happy day! So glad for you both! Karen Fleming
This is great news, Meredith and Robin, and great photos too. Looks like you are celebrating at one of our favourite places, Le Pontie in Albi…..
“No Name” – I have just started to listen to it on Radio 4 Extra Listen Again – it’s a good book, partly Wilkie Collins’ social commentary on the tough application of the law on succession and illegitimacy in Victorian England. My favourite of his books is the Woman in White (un-put-downable) but i admire this one a lot. Enjoy!
Ruth