Ever since Clive and I first travelled to France two years ago, we’ve been chatting on and off again about the idea of buying a house here.  It would be a place to come for holidays and to use as a base when exploring other parts of Europe.  It could also be somewhere for family and friends to stay on their travels, should they choose to do so.

Is it just a dream?  Quite possibly yes.  To be honest, most likely yes.  But it’s nice to have dreams.

The seed of this idea was planted about three years ago, before our initial trip to France, when Clive’s cousin Phil and his wife Nerida came to visit family in New Zealand from Australia, where they live.

At the time, Phil and Ned were in the process of looking to buy their own holiday house in France.  We chatted about their plans and the ins and outs of buying a property overseas.  They told us their budget and that they would most likely be purchasing a house that would need a lot of renovation work done on it.  But they were up for the challenge.

After their visit, Clive remarked that it wasn’t a silly idea really, to buy a place somewhere overseas.  France or Italy, perhaps.

“Where in New Zealand could you buy a house for that amount, and it be somewhere where you actually want to spend time?”

He had that look – the one when he’s thinking through an idea that I know I’m going to struggle with because it will be completely out of my comfort zone.

I “hmmm-ed” vaguely, because I didn’t want to encourage any further conversation about such a crazy idea and because “Don’t be ridiculous” was not a particularly kind way to respond.

Nothing more was said about it until we were on our French trip the following year.  News came through the family chat that Phil and Ned were in the process of purchasing a property in a little French village in the Charente district

Although we were only a short way into our trip, I had already fallen head over heels in love with France.  And being in a gushy travel bubble, I could see myself living in every house in every village!  Clive in contrast, is always the calm and collected half of our relationship, but as we drove through the French villages and countryside, it was him who said, “We really could think about buying a small place here, you know.”

This time, my response was a lot more positive, but despite being in my lovely travel bubble, the idea still seemed very far-fetched.  Sometimes though, when you are in a situation that is removed from your daily life, dreaming big seems a whole lot easier.

That was just over two years ago now.  Since then, we’ve watched Phil and Ned as they’ve taken on the huge task of renovating their house in France.  The building they purchased had been unoccupied for over a decade and was in a bad way.  A new roof and sceptic tank were required, which were not cheap.  Early on in the project, Phil spent a few weeks sleeping in the back of his rental van parked in the driveway, while he   worked on the property and sought to find a good builder and roofer.

Both Phil and Nerida have jobs and family commitments back in Perth, so progress on the renovations has often been made over periods of a few weeks at a time, when they have been able to return to France.  But progress has indeed been made, and it’s been exciting to watch – from the comfort of our house with our plumbing, comfortable bed and air conditioning! 

We have also been loyal supporters of other adventurers who have undertaken similar renovation projects.  Well, supporters in as much as we try not to miss the weekly and sometimes even daily YouTube episodes where we see people putting in new ceilings or chipping away concrete render to reveal the beautiful old stone walls hidden beneath.

After more than two decades of renovating our own home (ok, well it’s mostly been Clive, but hey I’ve kept him fed!), you’d think we’d have better things to watch of an evening than other people doing their own reno stuff!  And to be honest, there have been occasions during particularly dull episodes of people shaping stone blocks or repointing walls, that we’ve looked at each other and asked, “Who watches this stuff?”. 

And then we’ve laughed as we answer each other “We do!”.

Yes, I hear you.  We need to get out more!

Well, if you’ve read any of my recent posts, you’ll know that I have indeed gotten out and not just to check the letter box.  I’ve come back to France.  There are a few reasons for this trip, but one reason is for me to spend a wee bit of time staying in a French village or two – just to get a taste of what it might really be like.   Clive wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be “bored stiff by village life”.  His words.  Actually, this whole trip was his idea.  Yep, that’s the amazing man I married.  He’s staying at home working while I jaunt around France for a couple of months.  It’s tough I tell you, but I’m suffering my way through it, one delicious pastry at a time.

But back to Phil and Ned’s.  This year, their trip back to France has coincided with mine and despite being crazy busy with their renovations, they kindly invited me to stay for a few days, which then turned into a few days more!

Spending time with them has honestly been like living in a French reno YouTube channel.  The work that they’ve already accomplished is amazing.  There is a lot more still to be done, but the progress so far gives a very clear idea as to what their finished home will look like.  It will be beautiful!   

I arrived just as Phil was about to begin installing the kitchen units. 

By the time I left them, the kitchen was done, complete with a new oven, hob, stylish tap and a gorgeous Belfast sink, which looks perfectly perfect in their French kitchen.  Oh, and they now also have a washing machine.

So far, they’ve bought most of their furniture from second hand shops and markets, and Ned has painted cabinets, bed heads and side tables to give them a new lease of life. With old baskets, pitchers and artwork she’s already managed to make the renovated rooms look fresh and modern, whilst still retaining so much of their original character.

I was also fortunate to meet many of their friends from the village and was made to feel so very welcome.  They’re such a wonderfully social bunch of people.  I could hardly keep up!

It has been extremely helpful to see it all first hand.  It’s not a project for the faint-hearted and is definitely not without complications.  But they’ve proved to me that it’s doable.  I take my chapeau off to them!

So, has it inspired me to do the same?  Yes.  But being inspired is not the same as actually doing it.  Hmm, much to think about and much talking to be had with a certain husband of mine. 

In the meantime, I will leave you a few more photos.  À bientôt.

And look what’s a hop, skip and a jump away…

An beautiful 12th century church – with bells that ring at midday, every day. Sigh.

Here’s me, removing ivy from an old dry-stacked stone wall surrounding the property. I loved it!

What the house was like two years ago.

Well done guys. What an amazing team!