Brexit Testimonies

"The last year has been extremely difficult for me ... I don’t really think France will deport us but until I know for sure, I am anxious. I also worry about the terms/conditions that may apply to us."

My husband & I both married young but not to each other. Both of us worked for many years in Civil Service (me) & local government (husband). Both ended our working lives in the private sector. My husband retired at 60 & I retired early. For many years we dreamed of retiring to the sun & having an adventure- after looking at various places in France, we came to Brittany & fell in love with it. We now live on the Brittany, Loire Atlantique border.

We bought a beautiful house with 2 hectares of land. We have spent a lot of time & money making the house comfortable, to suit us, thinking we would be here until one or both of us become infirm. Because we have the land we have 4 dogs, 3 cats, 6 ducks, 5 goats & 5 chickens. We both speak passable French & have joined a local association—La Petite Idée—who offer a range of activities. My husband exhibits photos at their expo, I aim to do a Brit cake making session. My husband also belongs to another photographic club & I do yoga. Because of my interest in dogs I have made many French friends & some very good Brit friends. We also enjoy visits from friends & family from the UK. This is very much our home & we both love & respect our host country.

The last year has been extremely difficult for me. My husband is much more relaxed about the whole thing & takes the line that until we know that we have to worry, he won’t worry. Me? Anxiety levels high! I don’t really think France will deport us but until I know for sure, I am anxious. I also worry about the terms/conditions that may apply to us.

My biggest anxiety is the animals—if we did have to leave—there is no way we could afford a similar set up in the UK & couldn’t house all the animals. If May crashes out, as I suspect, what happens with the pet passport scheme? No way will I put my animals in quarantine.

I plan to apply initially for a Carte de Séjour, followed by citizenship. I have absolutely no wish to return to the UK.

Because of the animals & my commitment to them, we are pretty much tied to here but I like to think that we may yet get chance to travel around Europe; borderfree travel is such an amazing privilege!