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take an obligatory week long course on the fundamentals of running a business in France.


Having completed the course, we had a slight problem registering our business, as Carol worked with fabric and would be making linens for the market stall, and taking soft furnishing commissions and I would be working in wood and construction. In France they prefer a finite registration of a business in order for INSEE to collect precise statistics of each individual operating sector. We eventually persuaded them to register us as "Manufacturers and Suppliers for all things for the House and Garden made out of any materia.l"


This amazing registration gave us the flexibility to develop our business to the market place and our customers' requirements. Machinery was purchased and French suppliers for fabrics, wood and accessories were tracked down and production began. In the mean-time our boys had settled into the schooling system and within six months were speaking French like the locals, with a gascon accents, much to our local Mayor's delight.


Carol sells our products and services at various weekly markets, such as Barbotan-les-Thermes and Eauze and we jointly show at a number of Artisan and Flower shows, such as Fourcès and La Romieu. We work hard, long hours, often seven days a week, when necessary and now have a large client base of different nationalities including many loyal French.


We undertake many diverse and unique commissions that keep us very focused. One week Carol can be making loungers for by the pool of a fine french chateau, the next week curtains and loose covers, then table runners and designer aprons for the market stall. I can find myself making breadboards and wooden items for the market stall one week, then bespoke furniture, kitchens, windows and doors or undertaking general property maintenance repairs and refurbishment the next. We can find ourselves working one day in our village and then the next week near Toulouse.


Variety is certainly the spice of our life and the creative challenges are very rewarding. When we do get time off we love to be outside. Carol has created a wonderful garden full of roses and perennials and I have an extensive potager full of different tomatoes and vegetables that we feast on in the summer and conserve for the winter.


With the Pyrenees and the Atlantic coast only an hour and a half away we are spoiled for fell-walking, skiing and wonderful summer days enjoying the surf at Contis Plage. There is so much more to say about our life and experiences in France, but that will need to be left to another day.


L Mis e Pélu sl


Menuisier, Meubles, Couturière d'ameublement, Cadeaux. Carol et Martin Scott Pédeloup 32240 Monguilhem 0562087795 pedeloup@orange.fr www.pedeloup.com


The next edition will be available in June 2012 info@gasconylocal.com


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