So where do we go from here?

Work was never so much of a chore, rather more often a joy for the pair of us and unencumbered as we were with little ones, proved a vehicle to spend much of our waking hours with. However, after several decades of hard work and play, we became aware, almost subconsciously, that despite our fortunate good health and certainly happy life, we may have actually been getting older. Obviously the cycle of work, eat, sleep, even when punctuated as often as possible with jollies away, could not go on forever. We became determined to change our lifestyle to a happier, healthier and more worthwhile one which could feed our minds much more than just our pockets.

As confirmed Francophiles, our destination was undisputed, so we began to consider a question a buddy of mine asked me years ago on one of the numerous lads’ camping trips to Le Mans, namely, ‘What would you do if you were to live here all the time?’ I was a little taken aback all those years ago when I struggled for a ready answer and was obviously nowhere near ready to contemplate such a move. Fifteen years later, we are of clear mind and want to live in a place we love, to immerse ourselves in local culture and indulge ourselves in allowing some of our passions to become more a way of life. The ‘immersion’  part of the plan will happen by simply being there and since we’ve always rather liked most of our fellow humans, we thought we might like them to come and entertain us, by spending some of their holiday time at chez nous and voila . . .  the idea to run some holiday cottages, or gites, emerged.   

We’ve been most fortunate in having and extensively using a delightful little farmhouse in Normandy for many years and as lovely as it is for most of the year, the thought of spending long, cold and snowbound winters in northern France is not a happy one, so we were drawn back to the Loire valley, the place where, all those years ago, we first found the truth in the rumour that the French knew a thing or three about food and wine! On our first foray in September 2010, we spent a delightful week in a gite which was part of a lovely set up owned and run by an English couple. The village was truly beautiful and set among vineyards and the peace oozed timeless charm with character to spare. The gite business was also for sale. Two gites in fact, with owner’s accommodation, swimming pool, well tended gardens, numerous outbuildings, plenty of parking and only 70 seconds walk to the boulangerie for those all important fresh breakfast croissants!

After much discussion, a second visit some weeks later and extremely careful consideration, we made our preliminary offer . . . but eventually just couldn't find that all important meeting of minds, but it's still a great place to enjoy quality relaxing time, supported by convivial hosts.

Still, all part of the learning process and a very useful one. We stepped up the search in earnest and visited many estate agents in many towns, inspected dozens of potential properties, all hugely entertaining, several ticking many of our boxes, but none really speaking that meaningful message to us.

One misty moisty morning weeks later found us in company of an immobilier of politeness and patience and one we now liked, as we made our way to view a property previously discarded as unsuitable.

First sight . . . what lies within?

It appeared to have insufficient land, outbuildings or garaging and the agent’s particulars showed a robust house, but one not over indulged with an abundance of attention for a few years, but the lady of the house was charming and was happy to let us take our time looking around her house and then spend an hour poking our way through the various outbuildings and cellars. I was impressed with the workshop, as it had an inspection pit and an engine hoist hanging from a roof beam and sufficient tools and equipment to let a visitor know that this was a place where serious messing about with machinery was done. There was another large garage as part of the barn and then we found a huge covered area where two derelict cars and a couple of ancient trailers were quietly rusting.

Okays, time for some sleep, so this will be continued soon . . . .

LC