Up until now, I suppose it was easier to promote the blog as a community platform. Of which is exactly the goal. A place where the growing number of people in the international community here in Bordeaux can supply content and promote their own ideas, business or events. That has never changed and I sincerely hope never will.

In answer to the question in the title of this article, the Bordeaux Expats was created by me (Mike Foster). A few years after, Englishman, Chris Tighe came on board as a re-motivating factor and beer expert. We’ve been running partners ever since.

However, after eight years of on again off again publications, the blog has come some way from the first article that was published back in March 2010 (check the first article out here!)

We now have serial contributors and some notoriety in the expat community. The people that I have been meeting referred to the blog as a ‘big help’ when they first touched down here.

As you can imagine, it takes a large chunk of our time to research, compile, and write articles to publish. 

So…. to help keep the blog turning and content fresh this is a call out to all of those who blog, write or have businesses.

SEND US YOUR CONTENT

If you provide clearly formatted content and completed text with images, we would be more than happy to publish!

From Instagram, Facebook, Blog posts, Video… you name it, we’re keen.

Keep in mind, it’s not just content relating to English people we’re after.

Living in France, we’re hungry for French related content (in English) to help all the international and French returning travellers to keep informed.

You would be surprised that we very rarely receive feedback (good or bad) and that’s the kind of stuff that helps us grow.

Once again, many thanks for your support and remember:

Cheers,

Mike Foster / mikeefos

Mike : Hey Paul, how have you been and what’s been going on since we last met ?

Paul: Not so bad thanks Mike, oh you know the usual, trying to make it happen. How are you?

Mike: You know Paul, still working as a Freelance Digital Consultant and doing this blog thing. So what is happening with you?

Paul: Glad you asked. I’m organising an open mic, stand-up comedy night.

Mike: Sounds great. So is it in English or French?

Paul: Good question. I’m calling these events ‘Trans Manche’ and people are welcome to have a go
in either French or English.

Mike: So there have been others?

Paul: Ya, the first one was last November at the HMS Victory pub near la Victoire and the second one is on Tuesday 19 th June at the same place, upstairs.

Mike: How did the first one go?

Paul: I think it went quite well for a first effort. There was a good turn out and people seemed to enjoy themselves. However, comedians were a bit thin on the ground.

Mike: How many comedians were there?

Paul: That’s one of the problems; there was just me and then five minutes before kick off, a couple of
young French comedians turned up and saved me and the audience from an open mic solo night.

Mike: Have you managed to round up anyone else yet?

Paul: Not yet, but I’m hoping this chat with you will encourage people to get in touch with me to give it a go. How about you Mike?

Mike: Nah, not me mate, thanks. I’ve moved  into the realm of dad jokes, where I’m the only one laughing.

Paul: Fair play. It’s true that it’s not easy to get up there the first time. But my main aim is to create
a relaxed friendly atmosphere that helps people take the first step.

Mike: So can anyone get up and have a go?

Paul: Absoluement, hombre. It’s an open mic night. People can get in touch beforehand, or just let me know on the night. The comedians can get 3 free drinks!!!

Mike: So have you done it much before?

Paul: Yeah, I organised open mic comedy nights in Bangkok. It worked well, probably because people saw me and thought, fuckin’ ‘ell, it can’t be too difficult to be funnier than this guy

Mike: So, you had a lot of first timers then?

Paul: Yeah, and that’s one of the best parts of it for me really, just creating a cool vibe and encouraging people to have a go. And I have to say, the last time at the HMS Victory in November, 5
or 6 people came up at the end and told a joke each, and that is truly fantastikush.

Mike: So are any of them going to have a go at a set in June?

Paul: Mike, that is another great question. I’ll get on to them tout de suite ..

Mike: Hey wait .. before you go, where can anyone get in touch with you?

Paul: Oh yeah, right, sorry. Well, they could go to my website ..

Mike: Yeah .. except we haven’t finished it yet <insert unabashed self-promotion here>
Paul: Yeah, I know .. just kidding. Anyone can contact me through the Facebook event that is
attached to that cool flyer you’ve got below this right? Or they can email me paulwilsonactor@gmail.com, or call me 0675808209. Please, for the audience’s sake, if nothing else.

Mike: Last thing, Paul. A random fact about you?

Paul: Err .. not too good at improv Mike .. how about: I’ve got a bet on Mohamed Salah winning the
Golden Boot at the World Cup.

Mike: Righto Paul .. well thanks a lot and best of luck for the comedy and the bet .. reckon you’ll need it.

Paul: Ya, no sweat .. thank you Mike, and hope you make it down on the 19th June.

Since the distressing episode, the hypermarket has now closed its only remaining cash register and employees have gone on strike indefinitely. Queuing shoppers are now required to eat packets of Fisherman’s Friends to survive.

When asked for comment, the manager of the Auchan said,

It’s surprisingly easy to drive on the motorway, even if you are an insane bastard.

Here are the main guidelines:

 

• Many people assume the motorway speed limit is 130kph. It’s actually 180-250kph although if it’s late at night and there are no police around you can go as fast as you want. Above all, make sure you never reduce your speed on wet roads.

• It’s best practice to try to drive within 0.5mm of the bumper of the car in front, then overtake without indicating – don’t forget to ‘sneer’.

• The right lane is for lorry drivers so that they can swerve into the hard shoulder while texting or watching the football. Lorry drivers are also encouraged to avoid using their mirrors or eyes at all costs.

• The middle lane is for quietly determined pensioners and Modus drivers.

• The left-hand lane is for German cars and their prey. BMW, Audi, SUV and “sports car” drivers have the divine and legal right to undertake traffic jams and generally behave however they want – they are superior beings.

• Motorbikes are entitled to weave psychotically between any lane at any speed.

• If you need to change lanes or exit at a junction – UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE YOUR INDICATORS OR MAKE ANY PRIOR SIGNAL WHATSOEVER.

• There is no law as such on the motorway, and it is actually fine to shoot other drivers with a crossbow, especially if they have a caravan.

• The motorway is basically a straight line so you don’t need to pay attention to driving. It’s better to focus on your smartphone, laughing at people who have broken down or simply letting your imagination take you to a distant planet.