Well this is the first post from our “new” home, rushing it off today before our internet and phone get cut off on Monday! Trying to contact a telephone company in France is every bit as hard as in Oz.
The trip up on Thursday was uneventful, not a sign of a roadblock or a single gendarme!
It was a beautiful sunny day as we said a fond farewell to our temporary home of 4 months, not easy to say Au Revoir to Carolyn and all the animals.
The signing of the final Acte de Vente was made very easy by our charming English speaking notaire and the support of our long term contact Tom at Charente Immobilier. The appointment at 6 pm was prolonged a little when we discovered that Laurent races cars! So there was much discussion about the pros and cons of 2CVs and historic races. We eventually made it back in the dark to No 2 Rue de la Citerne.
The next morning began the start of the rest of our life and hopefully we may welcome some of you in the future to our dream French home.
There are plenty of photos on the August post “Paper Trail” for anyone interested in seeing more, but these are some taken this morning.
Now inside is a work in progress, there’s a certain amount of redecorating we want to do and although our lovely vendor left a huge number of things behind for us, there is no lounge suite at the moment! But there is a tv, hidden in the cabinet!
Today, the second in our new home was spent outside- harvesting olives from the two trees ready to bottle in a couple of weeks time.
And then it was down to the start of the redecorating, we were lucky enough to buy some paint supplies before lockdown although I think hardware shops and building suppliers are still allowed to trade. First job was to put a second coat of paint on the sitting room dado.
Tomorrow we hope to make a start on changing the kitchen from a colourful yellow and blue to a more traditional white to go with the timber features. One thing is for sure there will be plenty to occupy us inside and out for the next 3 months!!!
O Sue and Chris, you will be so happy. Looks like a lot of work ahead for you but all the time in the world to enjoy it all. I think you will have to have thoughts about using the barn for what it was built for – housing a horse or two instead of cattle! Can you let me have your new address?? Take good care.
Hi Liz, no room for horses 😂 Our new address will be on a possibly belated Christmas card Liz. 💕
Finally there – at least you won’t be bored this winter. Hope to see you both soon.
Hi Dave, another day of decorating certainly no chance of boredom! 🤞we can get together as planned.
Fancy Painting outfit 🙂
Pretty good eh?? Reckon I could sign up with the pompiers!
Congratulations Sue and Chris. Looks amazing. Renovating is such fun. Enjoy
Not sure I would use the word fun Robby after our third coat of paint 😂
Sue and Chris hope you are very happy in your new home. It looks very nice. Love to you both Tony and dawn
Oh thank you Dawn, we’re settling in well. Already repainted the “dining room” and today I tackled the veggie patch. Really looking forward to planting and not having to think too much about watering- there’s a bit more water here than Oz😊 Hope you’re both keeping well and Buster andJimmy too?
bonjour! You are doing fantastic work already. My two olive trees have produced strictly nothing but then they are in Gloucestershire. The cider apples have been delivered and I have collected 2 gallons, which will see me through shut down with no visitors.
Love to all those commentators I know on your site, Penelope (née Tufnell)
Merci Penelope, the olives are a work in progress and definitely an experiment! Have one batch bottled in brine and preparing a second perhaps to do in oil and herbs this time. Good to hear that you have your cider in for shutdown 😊
Oh Sue & Chris what a find.
At last we have connected to your blog & started reading your adventures.
What an absolutely delightful place. So much to do to make it yours…. but what great fun.
It is just gorgeous!
Will go & read the next chapter
Hi Judy and Barry, koalas grunting! Not many people can say that😊 So glad artists starting up again, which class, what are you doing?