Out of sight...

We reported back in November that the BBC News web site can detect overseas users - and the version of the site they see carries ads (the site is ad-free for UK users by virtue of it being funded by UK licence payers... see It's news to me...).

That is a great service for British expats and other overseas English speakers and the ads are definitely a small price to pay.

Now it seems that the BBC is giving its users access to TV programmes from the previous seven days, which can be viewed on their iPlayer site or downloaded from there. What a fantastic service! We rushed to see what was on offer and found that this site has a similar system for detecting overseas users; on this occasion, however, the service is currently still only available to UK users - a matter of rights agreements it seems. So, nothing available on the site at present for those overseas.

The good news? Apparently they are working on an international version which they will make available as soon as possible - great news for expat Brits wanting to keep in touch with their cultural roots! We will keep you posted...

Absolutely fuming...

There has recently been in France the curious sight of crowds gathered outside the local bars and restaurants. Are the bar workers on strike and picketing their places of work? Has the Campaign for Real Ale reached France? Well, actually it is just the introduction of phase two of the anti-smoking regulations which from the new year have applied to cafés, restaurants, etc.!

So, in the depth of winter we see the hardened smokers having to walk outside for a puff. That seems no great hardship and does mean that everyone can enjoy smoke-free air while enjoying a drink. Of course there has been the expected outcry - particularly from bar owners in rural areas complaining that this will see the end of country bars which tend to be the social centre of smaller isolated communities. Perhaps it is worth bearing in mind, though, that many rural bars also double as the village tabac (tobacconist)!

We have also heard comments that this could affect tourism! Perhaps the classic Gallic image has been one of Gitane-smoking French philosophers in fashionably hazy bars - and perhaps that has been seen as a haven for overseas visitors escaping smoking restrictions at home.

However, my guess is that for every tourist put off by the new atmosphere of café society, there will be two more savouring the lack of ashtrays and smoke. And the biggest surprise of all - apparently the smoking ban is supported by about 70% of the French people! Of course there is no ban on smoking on the open-air terraces or at pavement tables which certainly abound here in the sunny South and in a region that has 300 days of sun, perhaps life will not be so tough for smokers here. I can't really imagine these new regulations impacting much on tourism. What about expats - would such regulations affect your decision to relocate to a particular country, one way or the other?

Anyway, to keep things in proportion, let's hope that the whole PC thing does not go too far - they'll be banning alcohol from bars next... in fact, I couldn't get a drink in the local bar the other evening - but that was because the barman was outside having a smoke...

French health issues...

The availability and cost of healthcare is a serious consideration for all expats and we mentioned changes to the French healthcare system which were to affect mainly those retiring early (see post: Retiring but not so shy...). There seems to be much debate in our area about these changes but that is to be expected with the South of France being a very popular area to retire to. In this context I am please to say that I have stumbled across what seems to be the definitive source on this subject for English speakers - not only do they seem to provide the most up-to-date information (they have front page "breaking news") but they are also active lobbyists for healthcare rights in France. They can be found here... French Health Issues.

For the New Year...

Many thanks to all who have visited 245 and Counting during the first few months - and special thanks to those who have contributed on, and off, the page.

I hope that expats and others around the world will visit and contribute in 2008... but now it is time to wish you all the very best for a peaceful and prosperous new year...

Photo by: fito

Christmas stories from around the world...

A timely return in this holiday period for 245 and Counting... after an unexpected break. Amongst the many festive articles and end-of-year reviews, it was interesting to come across a BBC feature* where a number of British expats around the world share their thoughts about Christmas from a wonderful variety of exotic countries. It is fascinating to hear how individuals in different locations celebrate this time abroad and particularly what they are nostalgic for (a traditional British Christmas dinner seemed to feature prominently, although one might wonder how even the most ardent fans could cope with a roast mean and steamed pudding in some climates - even with air-conditioning!).

However, even more relevant to 245 and Counting... the brief introduction to the feature stating that almost 10% of the UK population now lives permanently abroad! If that amounts to approximately 5 - 6 million people... wow! This is a fairly recognised figure, previously documented, and if it is in any way representative of expatriate tendencies in other countries, what potential for an expat blog...

Photo: Kerry A Adamo

*Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7139254.stm

It's news to me...

How do you take your news? In these days of mass media it seems quite easy but for expats there may be challenges, especially those who are not fluent in the local language, making TV news, newspapers, etc., hard work. Well, the wonders of the www can help and we have found the BBC web site absolutely superb as a source of top quality news and information in our first language.

Now some are outraged to find that the BBC news site is carrying advertising. Strange that this should provoke such a reaction in this day and age? Well, one has to appreciate that the BBC's history is one of independence, their TV, radio and related services being funded by UK users paying an annual licence, meaning no advertising!

In fact, since the news and other services have been available on the BBC web site* there had been much discussion that this enabled anyone around the world to make full use of services that are paid for by British licence payers! However, now the BBC has come up with an ingenious system - when you connect to their site it detects if you are based in the UK or overseas and, if the latter, the news site you see will carry advertising. As a Brit overseas, I really value the BBC services and this seems a small price to pay for continued access to a quality news source, particularly compared to, say, having to subscribe to the service - the move to advertising is strongly supported by this particular expat...

* BBC news

Photo: imageafter.com

Autumn of our years...

Autumn already and, to continue the (fairly) recent theme, one could be forgiven for thinking that this blog had gone into retirement - but real life and the day job inevitably take their toll from time-to-time!

Perhaps it is an appropriate time of year for the subject of retirement and I have been wondering how this time of life may be more or less challenging for expat retirees and what different options may be open to them. Many people I meet who have retired overseas seem to be enjoying life enormously - have they just been able to create their ideal retirement or does living in another place provide more opportunities and stimulation?

Unfortunately, images of typical expats and typical senior citizens seem to get in the way of seeing the real people, and their very real lives, so in some future posts I would like to try to strip away much of the stereotyping and try to look very simply at how one can make this major transition - in another place. Contributions in "Comments" will be welcomed!