Return to chaos

Those close to us will know that our arrival home fortunately coincidided with a huge handful of disasters within the family. What with new hips, care homes and hospital visits we haven't really touched the ground yet.

The french property market, just like any other countries, has a few perculiarities. One of these is a French organisation who have the right to buy any propertythat comes on the market. From the time when all the papers are first registered with the notaire, this organisation has 8 weeks to decide if they want to buy your property or not.

Fingers crossed it will all run smoothly from here.

Even with the turmoil we returned to, we still managed to squeeze in an 80th birthday for my granny, a pig roast, a barbecue with Keith and Sue, and the rest. We will catch up with all and sundry soon when we know if we're coming and going.

Taking this all into account it means that we should complete on our purchase at the begining of December. We hope to ship our stuff over before Christmas and then move in at the beginning of next year.

Back to Blighty

Well, after a few last minute alterations to our plans, we have returned to the uk safe and sound. A day ahead of schedule just to surprise some unsuspecting relatives. The journey home was going smoothly until we hit the wonderful motorway network that this country is renowned for. The first accident on the M20, then one on the M26 and dare I mention the M25. Fourteen weeks and 6500 miles of travelling in France and Spain and we only saw one traffic jam, our journey home saw us caught up in one of the biggest jams ever as an accident closed the M3 for nearly 3 hours seeing unimaginable tailbacks. On the brighter side of life, everyone was chuffed to see us and a few beers were consumed to celebrate our safe return. The house purchase appears to have gone smoothly and, during the consultations to purchase the adjacent field, we also bought 2 hectares of valley, forest and stream for the kids play area. Off for a hearty breakfast now, but will put some more news and pictures up later.

The First Contract

Well, we have done it!! Signed our lives away again!! The visit to the estate agents went well this afternoon and we signed the first contract. We now have to wait for the vendor to sign his life away too and then its all done. Well, for a short while anyway. Once the paperwork has worked through the system they believe that completion date will be 10 December. We are also buying a piece of land adjacent to the house at the same time so once again, on Monday, we will be signing our lives away again. Sounds simple, but I am not sure if the Notaire speaks English so it should make for an interesting meeting!!

We will be back next Thursday to let everyone know how we have got on. I am assured by Andrew that it will be fine!!

Take care and see you all soon.

xxxx

At last!!!!!!

We finally escaped our favourite car park on Friday evening at about 6.45 pm. It had been a long day awaiting the return of the motor home. It was sad to leave the sound of the A84 and the long trek for the water ................... etc etc.

We made a hasty retreat to the campsite at Villedieu and had a lovely meal before collapsing into bed. It was a lovely quiet night!!!

The weekend has been spent relaxing, washing and de stressing before we start the search for schools and amenities near where our new home will be. We sign the first contract on Thursday and then will need to wait a couple of months for the process to complete.

For those of you concerned for our wellbeing we return to England on 13 September so you will be able to investigate at close proximity. The grandchildren will be on hand for spoiling rotten and I cant wait for a lovely long soak in a bath. Showers are great but I still miss my bath!!!!

See you soon guys.

Love to all.

xxxxx