Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms UK or France? Input sought

With central European cabin fever at its peak I've been spending far too much time thinking about retirement and a possible move in a few years time. As I have the impression there are TM members with relevant experience, I thought I would ask for input to help us decide where to locate our slippers, medicine cabinet, mog and moggy (she's a British Blue) in the Twiglet years, as SWMBO likes to call them.

Here are some pertinent points.

For a few years now we've both been talking about France e.g. Gascony, Gers, that area. We like France, the food and the culture and G has some family there.

But increasingly I find myself thinking of the UK. I'm attracted to the south west; Devon where we were married, and Cornwall as I love the sea and boat harbours.

Pros for France: We could afford a much larger house with a garage/hangar that could hold multiple Morgans and where I could do blokes' stuff on wintery days. A garden for G is essential wherever we end up. France has a great flying culture and I already own a classic French plane which could be brought over from oz. G definitely leans towards France.

Against: Not much. Will have to get my French up to speed. G's is ok. Winters can still be a pain but not too much. French bureaucracy and stand-offishness? Not experienced it yet.

Pros for UK: I love the countryside, the pubs, the communal atmosphere of the villages. G is not so enamoured, having grown up there and moved away in her 20's and has no great desire to go back. For me the flying and associated events as well as the vintage motor racing scene are huge attractions. I already have friends and contacts there both in flying and motoring circles.

Against UK: Weather. Not a problem for G but for me a real issue. I have yet to experience the full force of a 10 on the Anorak scale English winter but I fear it would leave me a quivering wreck surrounded by empty red-wine bottles and inflicting self-harm. Yet I see pictures on TM of Morgans roaming the Scottish highlands, top down and in sunshine. Am I over reacting? Our budget is limited thanks to the ravages of the GFC but we could afford a modest cottage in Devon with a small garage and garden. Our needs are modest.

So that's about it. Have others grappled with similar issues and what were your conclusions to the question - UK or France?

I would go for France every time... you can always visit the UK and Devon. I love the weather, food, wine, countryside of France - a great place to take it easy.

Head for the sun. The west of the UK can be very wet for long periods, Great WHEN the sun does shine.

Go and have a couple of weeks in Northumberland . Little villages scenery on every corner more castles per square mile that any other place in the world . The natives are very friendly , if you can understand them . Not far off Scotland or Newcastle if needs her shopping trips , its a place you can switch off and unwind . By the way the weather is quite mild . Along with the ports and islands if you are boat mad, along with a few private airports with clubs, one that holds a classic car club do . As for the frozen to death you are over reacting every place gets good and bad weather , we seem to think more of the bad and forget the good.

Compromise- Channel Isles?

My In Laws in one of their few bursts of common sense did several trial runs of longer term stays in european countries during the winters. Their conclusion was that even southern spain wasnt much of a winter improvement and that you need to go as far south as the canaries to get a significantly better winter climate. Thats what they did.

The problem is that the UK is kept warmer than you think by the gulf stream whereas inland areas of europe dont have that moderating effect and get hotter in summer and colder in winter. For example, right at this moment the temperature here in S Wales is 8.8C and the temperature in Gers is 8C. Its raining there but isnt here.

I like France, I speak French but I cant see any real advantages to living there compared to the UK. I would love to move away in the winter but I would want somewhere with a steady 20C not 8C

P.S. Just had a look at climate stats for Gers and Truro. They have much the same summer rainfall but Truro has half as much rain again in January. Twice as many rainy days in Truro. But the key issue for light planes would be wind, and here you would find the UK being a bit windier.

Howard, the rain is on its way. Its pouring down here.

No contest, the U.K. nuff said!!

Too isolated and way too costly. I have relations that live there but they are seriously rich.

If I was going to move it would probably be Portugal however if the choice was between France and the UK it would be southern France every time.

Get in touch with our friends and TM member atalante83 Raphael and Odile are really lovely and have a Bed and Breakfast at their home at La Farlede near Toulon. There is an active Morgan and classic car scene in the area and it is not far from the beach, the Circuit Paul Ricard circuit and other interesting venues. Furthermore it has some fabulous roads right there. I also remember seeing a small airfield on one of our trips.

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/106306/France_-_La_Farlede_-_Morgan_B#Post106306

I've never been to France to holiday just passing through but it might be worth a pm to meabh or Pdron as they are living it long term.
pandy too of course but he is a city dweller which I'm guessing is not what you have in mind Kerry.

Needless to say I wouldn't move for anything, we do get a fair share of rain but we never get the extremes of central Europe either. I firmly believe we have the best variety of Motor sports anywhere.
Your good lady is leaning towards Europe and for me that would probably be the decider and the UK is very close for trips.