20 years of adventures in France
In 2004, Kees and Marjo Wijnen traded their lives in the Netherlands for a more adventurous existence in the South of France. They opened Chambres d’Hôtes (Bed & Breakfast rooms) and a mini-campsite in the Aveyron region. It was a formidable adventure. French culture, quarrels with the neighbours, mishaps with guests, a run-in with the tax authorities, sometimes singular French customs and traditions, and the discovery of the French welfare state—everything is covered. After 15 years, they abandoned their business for a slightly quieter life. They now enjoy a well-deserved retirement, but old habits die hard (literally: "the blood crawls where it cannot go"). They still rent out 2 gîtes (holiday homes) on a magnificent estate in the Lot-et-Garonne. Follow their adventures by reading this collection of stories.
B&B La Libaudié
La Libaudié
Marjo 50 years
Mist in the Tarn valley
Our first party
Dinner with 65 guests
Vallée du Tarn
Storm
GSM bench
Path not for whims
The motorgang
Evening market
Guests from China
Pico our dachshund
Flea markets
The kitchen of Joost
April's fools day
The yellow vests
House in Villeneuve sur Lot
The dentist
De vertaling naar het Frans is:The author, Kees Wijnen, born on November 4, 1950, in Holland, spent his youth in Eindhoven, where he met Marjo. After a series of automation courses, he worked in the computer industry until 2002.
At dinner, Mieke again sat directly opposite Paula and immediately began to stir the pot. We were sitting at the table with about 12 guests that evening. Paula immediately started complaining again. "I don't like pasta! Can't you make something else for me? And what are we having for dessert?!"
Food, and especially desserts, was very important to Paula, given her size of at least 150 kilos.
"Oh," Mieke said, "I'll take your portion. I've got a little packet of crackers for you somewhere."
Oh, boy. This was going to be a great evening. We were mortified, especially in front of the other guests.
At one point, when the argument was at its peak, one of the guests suddenly slammed her hand down on the table! Everyone jumped!
"PAULA, you are an unbelievably fat and selfish bitch!" Anne, one of our guests, screamed. "Don't you understand, for Pete's sake, that this is Jan's last vacation, you egotistical serpent! You're ruining his last hours with all your whining, your bossiness, and your complaining!"
Well, that came out of nowhere. All the guests looked at Anne in shock, and then at Paula, who turned as white as a ghost. The other guests chimed in, agreeing with Anne, and Mieke looked at Paula with great satisfaction and a big smile. Paula burst into tears and screamed, "Patrick! I want to go to my room now! Right now! Get over here and help me!" The table was dead silent.
"Marjo, what are we having for dessert?" Mieke asked, as if nothing had happened.
I went to Patrick and Paula's room. With a tear-stained face, Paula was cursing and furiously throwing clothes into her suitcase. "I'm going home, now! I'm done. We're leaving tomorrow morning. Jan and Mieke can figure it out. I don't want to see them again!"
"You can't do that, Paula! How are they going to get home?"
"They can figure it out themselves. We're leaving, and we're leaving without them!"
Oops, we had a serious problem, a crisis, you could say.
A super funny and humorous story about their time in France. We ourselves have been their guests on several occasions and we recognize some of these anecdotes too. Can't wait to read this book!
Greetings, Kees and Marjo.
Josien
I was a guest of Kees and Marjo and recognized some of these beautiful, humorous stories. As a B&B owner myself, I keep the book available for my own guests for reading and entertainment. Many people sit by the stove in the evening after a stage of the Pieterpad (a long-distance walking trail in the Netherlands) to read, and it's great to hear and see a laugh every now and then. Very easy and pleasant reading for everyone. Truly a book to recommend!
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Cathy
We also live in France and we really relate to a lot of what Kees is telling. It is very humorous. We recommend it!
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Paul
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Wil
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Jeroen
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Caramieke
