Les petites choses: Life in Normandie, France

Granted, I live in a pretty rural area, but there are times I can drive for twenty minutes and not see another car. 

That said, when a car appears behind you, they will either be (a) so close you can see the driver's wrinkles, or (b) they will overtake, probably at speed, and on a blind corner!

There's a gorgeous, but small, bookshop in a little town nearby where they will gift wrap your purchase for you - for free - in beautiful paper. It feels like you're in a fancy boutique in Paris.

That's it... you can't resist them.

Okay, there's more...

You will find your favourite boulangerie and you will suffer terrible cravings for their baguettes de tradition and chocolate eclairs.

In truth, this one is a mixed bag. When I successfully engage in conversation with a French person, even if it's only a sentence or two, it feels like a huge achievement and I'm on a high.

The down side, this doesn't happen often and my pronunciation is atrocious.