What did you have to work with to remember your experience in France?
Annie Le Voguer: Deep rooted memories - and a small collection of keepsakes which helped with names.

How long did the story take to compile?
Annie Le Voguer: Initially the memories took around 6 months to put into words. The editing took another year to 18 months sifting out what would interest people and making it flow better. I didn’t want the book to read like a gabble of teenage rantings, more as an expression of life.

What made you decide to write the story?
Annie Le Voguer: Sitting down to work on a complete book, the question was what would interest people. There are so many relocation stories appearing on bookshelves, I saw none from the point of view of someone that, actually, didn’t really want to go. I felt that the story of my family’s move might help others who are hesitant because of possible ‘upheavals’ and I also felt it might raise a few laughs at some of the things that happened to me.

Do you still stay in contact with the friends you made in France?
Annie Le Voguer: Absolutely! One in particular I am close to and we visit each other when we can (she is in California). Others I stay in touch with via the internet and recently we have created our own group on Facebook, finding some long lost contacts, which has been so much fun. We’re now planning a reunion.

Is this the last book we’ll have from you?
Annie Le Voguer: I have many more anecdotes that I had to leave out, so I’d love to put another book together to air them. There were many colourful characters in the Provence that deserve their own tale.

You’re very well travelled, where next?
Annie Le Voguer: It’s a big world out there and we’re in it for such a short time, I’d like to see as much as I can. However, my heart does remain in the South of France. Currently I have two sons living in the UK so I try and fly over to see them when I can.