On 10th January 2007 as a family we uprooted ourselves from a small town in Derbyshire.
Me (Terina) my husband Brian and our son Lewis, my mum Diane and my Dad Colin. We packed our two houses into a forty five foot curtain backed lorry provided by George White. www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk
We arrived on Wednesday 10th, signed for the house, got the keys and let ourselves into a big, empty, very cold house.
We tried to light a fire but the wood was damp and so we sat huddled around a parifin heater not knowing how long the parifin would last.
The lorry with our belongings arrived early the next day. It was cold and misty but we worked hard to stay warm. Luckily we were still on a high from moving so even the cold temperatures did not put us off.
It took us about 5 hours to unload the lorry. By the time we had finished the garage was full and so was the back yard. By 11am the sun was out and we were down to t shirts. This sort of weather was to continue for the next few weeks. Very cold during the night with warm sunny days.
That night we were a little more prepared for the cold. The wood had been dried in the sun and we managed to light a fire. We now had some had furniture to sit on. The next 6 weeks were spent un- packing boxes and finding a place for all our things. We were also finding our feet with the local area for things like shopping, local Markets, doctors, dentists, schools and entertainment. (This is an ongoing process and still we find new things 7 months down the line)
We have had our highs and we have had our lows. Over a period of time I will try to tell the story of lives in France so far.
Firstly meet the family
 Name – Terina Bilby
Age – over 30 (just)
Occupation – Currently setting up and running a bed and breakfast
Life so far – The usual schooling with no major events. Left with good grades and went
to local college and did 3 A Levels. During a Saturday job in local butchers met first real boyfriend. I brought my first house at 18 years old. Got married at young age of 19 yrs. I had part time job working for the council until got a full time job at the Nat West Bank. During this time I was a volunteer police officer known as a special. I did this for a number of years then applied to join the regular force. At 21yrs I joined Derbyshire constabulary. My marriage ended but I threw myself into my work. This is where I met Brian we have now been together for over ten years. We brought a house together and got married. Then in 2003 along came Lewis our much wanted little boy. It was around this time we decided we would like to try something new. Although we both loved our job, we now had another life to consider. The move to France was decided. Life continued, as it does, till we sold our house and moved in with my mum and dad. The reality of the decision hit home. I applied to take a career break from work. This was granted and here I am.
 Name – Brian
Age – over 30
Occupation – Sgt in Derbyshire Police Force.
Life so far – I am the youngest of five children. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. We all had the pleasure of learning about life by growing up in a town called Shirebrook in Derbyshire. I left Shirebrook comprehensive with several O levels and a couple of A levels that were enough to allow me to join the police service. I met Terina after she joined my shift in 1997 and have never looked back. The year 2001 was a good one for me as I married Terina and was also promoted to the Rank of SGT. Even better in2003 we were lucky to have our first child. (Hopefully one of many)
Life with a baby was truly turned upside down and whether it was an early mid life crisis or not I decided there was more to life than policing. I needed something to address the work life balance. That brings me to France. Terina and Lewis together with her mum and dad moved to the Ariege in Jan 2007. To date I have been completing what seems like the longest commute in history. I work in England for between 3 and 4 weeks then fly out for a week or two of quality time with my family.
 Name – Lewis
Age – 4 years
Occupation – attend Nursery school in France
Life so far – I have lived with my mummy and daddy all my life. When I was 9 months old my mummy went back to work and mamma looked after me. When I was two I started playschool and loved it. Then when I was two and a half we moved to mamma and grandad's house it was great I had 4 people to play with instead of two. Then we went on an airplane and moved into a big house in France. I now go to school in France and have lots of French friends. I am learning French words. I also help mummy do her jobs.
 Name – Diane
Age – You should never ask a lady
Occupation – Semi retired (I say semi because my daughter has me working hard in my retirement)
Life so far – I am one of five children and always wanted a large family. I met and married Colin and now I have three children, two girls and one boy. I also have two grandchildren and another one on the way.
I have always worked part time so I could be at home to look after my children and now my grandchildren. We decided to come to France to help my eldest daughter and her husband set up a new life. It means life is very busy and a challenge with the new language but enjoyable.
I miss my other daughter and son who are both still in England and all my family but it’s great when they visit.
 Name – Colin
Age – over 50
Occupation – took early retirement but that means gardening, pool maintenance, decorator, plumber and anything else involved in helping to run a b and b.
Life so far – When I left school I started as an apprentice at Stanton as a maintenance fitter. I met Diane and we moved from our parents houses to our 1st home. We married and had three children together. At 48 years old I took redundancy at Stanton but went on to find work in a further two companies. About 2 years ago my eldest daughter asked if we would like to share her dream and move to France. So here I am, I have taken early retirement. I have to say though I am as busy now as I ever was, but the long lunches and the sunshine make up for it. Also I get to choose what hat to wear on what day……Gardener, pool maintenance, general repairs, decorator the list goes on.
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