All the little things that make countryside life beautiful

B ill Bryson is an American writer who has lived in Great Britain for over 40 years and I recently read his book of travelling from the South of England to the most northerly point in Scotland.

He is a humorous writer, his books and his comments on the British way of life can make you laugh out loud. He is so observant of the British, whom he both admires and criticises. It is interesting to learn the views of a foreigner about British culture and it makes you realise that each country has its own idiosyncrasies which can be delightful or irritating !

Bill Bryson says he loves his life in the UK, which he says is a perfectly sized small island, just the right size to be cosy, and to have community spirit, although he feels that nowadays people tend to be more self-centred.

Towards the end of his book he asks himself what it is that he loves/likes about life in the UK. He makes a list which includes, the beautiful countryside, the green areas even in towns, the joy the British show for small pleasures, they even like the rain ! He loves to see British people so happy when presented with a cup of tea and a little biscuit ! He likes the politeness of the people who even have patience to queue. He likes the British expressions, like it is raining cats and dogs, or it is a storm in a teacup.

Bill Bryson made me think about my life in this corner of France, the Creuse, I have been here almost as long as he has been in the UK, and what I like about it. The space here is important, the countryside, not too many people, cars or traffic jams are all appreciated. Another country offers you another culture, another language all enriching your life. The little things too, like bread with every meal, apèro time, a good meal at lunchtime, shops closing at midday, long family dinners, expressions like « fingers in the nose »!

I suppose one is always a visitor when you live in a country that is not where you were born, always a foreigner. But I actually don’t mind that I accept it and respect the French point of view. I still have my roots in the UK but I have two cultures inside me. I can take the best and throw away the rest ! Certainly a cup of tea is a hard habit to break and even my French friends offer me it now when I visit them, a nice mix of acceptance and tolerance of each other. Yes I am still connected to the UK but I am not really part of it. I guess I agree with Bill Bryson when he says England is his home – France is my home.