Back in the UK...

... for a short while, with very exciting news!

My daughter and family, myself and my mother have been planning to move out to France and I've just got back from 3 weeks househunting.

We've found the most gorgeous place and have started the buying process. All being well we move in early May!!!

It's large enough to house the whole family and still have plenty of space for the lettings we need to earn a living :)

It's in the SW in 'Gascony' and has the most wonderful views across the Adour valley towards the Pyrenees - magical with snow-capped peaks at this time of year.
The first part you see as you come up the drive is the 'Maison de Maitre'

Congratulations on finding the right property to house your family. It looks wonderful and May will be here in almost no time at all!

Yes - SO much to do!!

Here's a view from the other end. You can see the side of the 'Maison de Maitre' at the far end.

Hilary, could you tell me what you mean by "lettings"? I've never hear that expression before.

Donna

Ah the good old national differences LOL

In the UK we use 'to rent' if we are paying to stay in a property, but 'to let' if we are the owners taking the money.

So anyway, we are going to have self catering apartments as holiday accommodation for people to come and enjoy the area. There's lots to see and do and a very layed back pace of life.
In the US would you say we had rooms to rent ?

Yes, here it would be "rooms to rent" or you would call yourself a "Bed and Breakfast" if you were going to feed your paying guests a morning meal before check out time.

Ah no, these are gites - so self catering :)
and they're not just rooms, but whole apartments with kitchens and living rooms...
In France gites, in UK holiday cottage or something

The Maison de Maitre is a 4 bedroomed house and there's a 1 bedroomed apartment and a 2 bedroomed apartment as well.

Thanks for clearing that up for me Hilary. So, if I come to France, I can rent a nice little room from you and tour the area? Oh, what a dream that is. I think it will be a long time before that will happen.

Donna

It looks enchanting, Hilary. When was it built?
Donna, if Jerry won't go with you, I will! ;)

The oldest part is 16th century and the youngest is 17th century LOL

Yes, of course we'd love to see anyone from DG - special rates guaranteed :)

Welcome back Hilary! I've missed you. What a lovely place you have found. I am going to be very happy along with you when you finally hear if you get this place. I am sure you will get it too.

Doing "the Happy Dance" for you here in Idaho. Yippeeeeee!!!!

Thanks Lani :-D

Just wandering around and took a look at your pictures. Why does everything abroad look so darn romantic? I suppose it's all those secrets hidden in those old walls. The house looks lovely!

Yes, I think places that have been inhabited for a long time have an air about them don't they?
While I was house hunting I was struck by the contrast of some feeling warm friendly and welcoming and some feeling cold and forbidding.
I felt as if the people who had lived in them had left their mark, depending on what sort of people they had been.

I agree, houses do have their own "feel" about them. Yours appears a warm, cozy, friendly welcome. Best wishes!

Breathtaking! I want to come too!

You'll be welcome :D

Philomel. I have posted on another post of yours about your wonderful "find".

I just want to add that the Buyers of my house told me (after closing) what sold them was the warm energy they felt just entering the gardens even before entering the house where the energy was just confirmed.

You are so right that Owners leave a 'mark'. The owners of my house before me left an nasty mark but I sensed the house had good bones and good spirits underneath it all. I was right.

Thanks for that darius. It's amazing how strong these feelings can be, and listening to them is so essential when you are choosing a place to call home.

I hope your new home is as good for you as your last!

The first time I saw our house all I could think of was that it looked like it used to be happy, had become unhappy, and needed to be happy again which I knew we could make it. Then I learned that the former owners had lost the place due to drug and alcohol addictions. We have loved this place as I am sure your family will love your "new" home. What an adventure you are embarking on my dear friend! I wish I could help you with your move to France. I will be there in spirit for ya though.

Thanks for the wishes merigold

I bet your house is now happy and cosy Lani.
Yes, it is an adventure, which I really welcome. I've been stagnating too long.
Your kind thoughts will be just as much help as if you could be here in person :) Spirit is powerful. Thanks

Noice one Fill !!!
Sixteenf an' seveteenf senchtry eh? .. ow go on!!! ... an' air aboud it?? ... wha'???
An' the people didn' arf leave their mark ... Mwaaaahaaaaa!! ... nod arf ay??? .. bett they did... wha'???


But seriously now: AHEM!!!

Well done Phil, nice looking place on the photos. I wish you all the best of luck for yourself and your family.


Wintermoor

no really honestly



Wintermoor


..... ahem ... yes

carry on ......

Phil, Beautifully romantic. How wonderful you can have such a splendid place. You say in the SW of France, Gastony? I have never been to France, although I was close to the SE French border when I visited Germany once. What beautiful country that way. i would like to go to France someday, I am of French and English heritage. You will have to post all the information about your "lettings" once you get settled and ready for company. Wishing you much luck with your endeavor. :) Kathy

Hilary, I know our house is happy now but I don't think it is very cozy just messy. lol We are in the middle of a small remodel to our kitchen/living room and I had to clean out the entire pantry of all the foods. I can't wait to get it done.

It will be sad to not get your posts about the squidgey dormice but I know you will find something just as fun to care for in France.

Bbaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy..... :P

You must come and try the Floc sometime ;)
Armagnac, blended with grape juice - or perhaps you prefer the straight Armagnac (or perhaps you prefer Scotch LOL)
You'll be thinking it's Summermoor if you come ;oP

Thanks Misty, this place is near the Pyrenees and the Spanish border. Lots to do and see in different directions
I'll certainly be keeping everyone updated - even Barry!

Absolutely gorgeous, Phil! Hope your arrangements and move go smoothly!

LimeyLisa Kay

Good luck, Phil..........love the tile roof and balcony!!

"eyes"

I've just had the kitchen here in England totally refitted and that dragged on and on, so I appreciate how you can't wait to get your kitchen back Lani

Yep, you're right I'll be finding whatever wildlife I can. I think there may be garden dormice, which are just a little larger than the hazel ones I've been working with. I intend to take nest boxes and other equipment so I can find out what's on the land

Thanks so much Lisa

Hello "eyes" :) thanks, you'll have to come and have a closer look LOL

Oh I wish I could come when you explore your "new" place. It will be great fun to find whatever you are going to share the land with.

I'll keep you posted Lani :) though I don't know how close I'll get for photos

Can't wait to get up close and personal with a garden dormouse http://www.btinternet.com/~lambjw/mice/facts12.htm

very different from hazel dmice (and I understand have many more TEETH lol), but they do look quite handsome...

I can send you some great gloves of the sort that ranchers use out here. lol

The garden dormice do look quite handsome but you need to watch out for those teeth. I wouldn't want you to meet the new Doctor and explain HOW you came to have the wounds.

Those gloves sound useful ;D

Lol Lani

Hilary, when will you know for sure that you get your place? I sure am praying for you to get it so someday I can come over there to visit. You never know when I might get rich. lol

Yup, that gold mine is out in my pasture waiting to be discovered.

I'd love it if you could come.
We think we're now safe - but although you'd think the agents would tell us they haven't confirmed.
Anyway, I'm more and more confident...

So happy for you. Ohhh what an adventure you are setting out on. I have zone envy already! lol

I'll keep you all up to date as things progress.
I've just put my house on the market - so that should be fun. I've been here 33 years, so there's plenty to sort out ;)

Well, we now have a date!!!

We'll be travelling out on 26th April, signing on 27th and the furniture arrives on the 28th.

The farmers' option runs out on the 26th, so we're still with fingers crossed, but are told not to worry (lol)

Beautiful! Just beautiful...!

(house hunting..hmmmmm, I kinda got a chuckle, thinking of the episode on "Keeping Up Apperances" when Hycianth Bucket (pronounced BOO-KAY) went house hunting in the country ...She makes me laugh so much.)

33 years in one place, that is gonna be some sorting job! I hope it all goes smoothly.