A local representative...

An amazing story in recent days has been of an expat Brit who is a councillor in his local town in southeastern Spain. Perhaps no mean achievement for an expat, especially as it seems that his Spanish is not completely fluent. However, more significantly it was reported that, following the arrest of some of some of his council colleagues in connection with charges of alleged bribery, he actually became the town mayor by default!

A wonderful story, although it was later reported by the BBC that he had not actually been offered the post of mayor which was later taken up again by the released incumbent... a bit of an anti-climax for the story but what was fascinating to hear was that this small town has a population of about 11,000 of which the majority are British - now that is certainly an expat community!

This lead me to thinking of what reaction we would find here if we chose to stand as councillors. In fact, with a long history of British expats in many areas of France, it is not so unusual to hear of the odd Brit on a local council. However, in the hills of a rural area of the South of France we are in an environment where visitors from neighbouring villages can often be thought of as strangers and true foreigners are still regarded as something of a novelty... and with Brits representing about half of one percent of the population in our village, our situation is rather different to that expat enclave in Spain. Perhaps for now we should just support the most expat-friendly local candidates to represent our modest needs...

While we weren't looking...

Almost as serious as this blog losing its glorious page rank during our break, since those early summer days the world has changed dramatically while we weren't looking! Whilst we may already have been in the grip of a "credit crunch", few of us had then considered the possibility of a global banking meltdown!

Well, despite an interest in events, and of course hoping that international measures will save us all, one can resist the temptation to add to the global escalation in commenting on the economic situation... except to point to one stunning spin-off for a Brit in France - the sight of a British socialist Prime Minister and a French President from the political right announcing that they are working hand-in-hand to find solutions to the financial crisis. A true sign of the gravity of the situation, given the renowned love-hate relationship between the British and French even, or perhaps particularly, at senior political levels!

However, while our leaders may be suddenly united in mutual objectives, what is the take of the expat, in whatever country, on the international crisis, even if we are now to experience mere recession rather than complete meltdown? If the expat is by circumstance always somewhat in isolation, would a tougher financial environment create more of a sense of being stranded on foreign shores? Perhaps a lot will depend on the individual expat... retired with a secure income, dependent on earning a crust, etc. I have a feeling that we will be returning to this subject as one of our mini-themes in coming months - let's hear your experiences so far...

Apologies...

Well, many apologies to all loyal readers for the absence of 245 and Counting... as occasionally happens, real life intervened with an all consuming project for the entire summer.

What has really shocked the writer is that this blog's prized Google page rank of 4 was lost entirely during this comparatively short period... so, lots of work to be done to make that good - and your support would be much appreciated!

And now for something completely different...

To up-date those who were taken by Ian Usher's idea of selling his entire ex-pat lifestyle (see "A friend for life... style..."), apparently he sold the package of his home and its contents, car, the chance for his job, and introductions to his friends... for AUS$ 399,000 - bringing him the funds for his fresh start in life.

To keep in touch with his continuing adventures, you will be able to follow the challenges he has set himself on his web site...

100goals100weeks.com

Good luck to the ex-expat...

Subtracting the ads...

Controversial as always, it seems that President Sarkozy intends to press ahead with plans designed to remove advertising gradually from French public television. Similar to the UK, there is a television licence in France, the income from which goes part-way to funding the several public channels, but this is currently supplemented by advertising revenues. In order to make good the inevitable shortfall created by banning advertising, it seems the intention is to increase taxes on other media, including private television (whose advertising revenues are sure to increase) as well as internet and telecoms companies.

Of course, as there are so many vested interests at stake, there has been the inevitable uproar on all sides - and, apart from financial interests, there are those who believe that this will eventually lead to public television being pushed to the sidelines in France. Well, we will see, but if one makes a comparison with the UK's BBC, then perhaps one could see the potential for greater independence in programme making, editorial content, etc.

Here at 245 and Counting, sweltering in the South of France as temperatures hit 30°C and everyone heads for the Mediterranean, it is perfect timing to point out that you will usually find on this blog a few links to associates and affiliate advertisers, which can include hotel booking service, holiday rental accommodation, French house hunting services, commercial currency exchange, etc.

These limited links do make a small contribution to running the blog and hopefully do not prejudice our content - but then, of course, we are not able to do away with advertising and simply raise a few taxes here and there...

Photo: fito

A friend for life... style...

An amazing story is approaching its conclusion today - earlier this year an expat Brit in Australia announced that, following parting with his wife, he would be selling up in order to make a fresh start and perhaps enjoy a life-changing adventure. OK, so what is so unusual about someone selling up in such circumstances?

Well, this is unusual in that what is being sold is not just his house and some possessions - Ian Usher came up with the unique idea of putting up for auction his entire expat lifestyle - this is to include not only his Perth home but also its entire contents and the trappings of his life, such as jet ski, motor bike, parachuting equipment. Not content to leave it at the purely material, he has also included the chance to take over his job (his employers have agreed to offer the buyer a trial with a view to full-time employment) as well as introductions to his circle of friends. Yes, to enable him to offer the complete lifestyle package, his friends agreed to meet the highest bidder. Great friends indeed!

Bidding is under way today and of course we wish him all the luck in raising the funds for his new adventure!

This does add a fascinating dimension to the expat experience, though. We see many expats here making key decisions about their home in terms of an investment for the future - particularly thinking that there may be a time when they will want to sell up and move on or return "home". So, people will often consider their property type and location as much for later reselling as for their own pleasure - and many will renovate and develop properties purely for the investment potential. Quite normal, of course.

However, whereas Mr Usher had this great idea when he needed to make a change, what if people considered building from the outset a complete expat experience, with a view to its future value? Might that also influence the type of work we find, what pastimes we enjoy and possessions we acquire... and even where we like to be seen and the friends we make? Imagine becoming a friend for your investment value!

Well, enhancing a property is one thing but the idea of developing a lifestyle for its later value is a fascinating thought - now did I mention my good friend the ambassador...



BBC News: Bidding begins on 'entire life'

Announcing new services in the Languedoc...

A slight aside from our usual expat observations now... to announce our new sister enterprise offering business support services in the Languedoc region of the South of France.

D'OC Management specifically aims to help English speaking expats with a business in the region with a range of services including... web design, marketing and advertising services, copywriting, etc... interior design for home or business... admin. and bookkeeping / secretariat services... and relocation support for those making the move to the region...

D'OC Management

If you are an existing or new expat in the Languedoc these services may help with various aspects of your new life, particularly if you have a business - but we hope you will also continue to visit 245 and Counting from time-to-time...