A young German family has taken out a Gumtree advert in the search for like-minded friends after moving to Fife.
Fabien Vetter and his wife, University of St Andrews student Olga, who are both 31, relocated to Ceres from Germany last September.
Since then the pair, who have a nine-year-old daughter called Finia, have been so busy they have struggled to meet friends outwith work and study.
And they have put out an appeal for families with similar interests to get in touch.
Fabien said: “The three of us are looking for like-minded families around with which we can have a fun and lovely time with.
“We also like to be outdoors no matter what weather. You can find us on the beach, on the fields or in the woods nearby.
“So, if you are interested to get to know us and maybe have some good and inspiring time, please let us know and we can meet for a nicely cooked meal, for a bonfire on the beach or whatever you are up to.”
So far, just one family has got in touch.
However, the Vetters discovered neighbours they had recently befriended had also considered getting in touch via the advert.
Olga, who is studying for a Masters degree at university, said a combination of factors – Fabien travelling back and forth to Germany, busy lives and the fact they used to live outside the village – had made it more difficult to meet people.
She said: “I have my university friends, my husband has his work friends and our daughter has her friends from school.
“It’s more family friends we are looking for, just someone who likes going to the beach and to the mountains.”
Hopes are high that the Gumtree advert will yield some success, and it remains to be seen how many doors are opened for the Vetters in the coming weeks.
However, in these uncertain political times, discussing the outcome of the Brexit vote and what it might mean for the Vetters was unavoidable.
As a German living in the UK, Fabien said: “The whole thing is an emotional vote based on love and fear, but mainly on fear.
“No one knew and knows what’s going to happen when the UK leaves the EU, and you can see that right now even the politicians do not have a clue what’s happening and how they going to handle the real exit now.”
On the issue of the EU referendum result, Olga added: “I’m maybe an idealist, but I think the EU is more than just an economic project.
“It was born out of the second world war. Within a larger historical context, it’s about peace, unity and stability in Europe.”
