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The low-maintenance plot
Cleverly disguised: the septic tank
Ian and Jenny's pretty stone-built Breton holiday home has been the backdrop to 18 years of happy memories
was necessary to have the septic tank emptied before completion. Understandable. There are certain things a buyer doesn’t want included in the sale! This was duly arranged by Fiona, and the company came while we were closing the place down in November. However, they said they couldn’t empty it because the access point – which had been uncovered for 18 years, had been inspected by SPANC three times, and through which the tank was emptied in 2018 – could not be used as it covered the filter. They suggested we dig down
a little way from the existing entry to find a second point – and off they went having only emptied the grease trap. We had to pay €200 to get the certificate for that, required by the notaire. But we had no certificate for the tank. We were due to leave that night for the UK, so in a panic we called Bertrand who contacted the original firm we used in 2018; he met them there a couple of days later and they duly lifted out the filter and emptied the tank, which cost another €200. So, with sadness and some
relief, we no longer have our lovely little cottage in Brittany. However, we plan to return to France to see friends, and we’ll spend a couple of nights
at a beautiful B&B we found In Josselin (Le 14 St-Michel) before heading south to explore other parts of this wonderful country. If we could turn the clock
back 18 years, would we still have bought our place? Yes! Back then there was a local shop, restaurant, two bars and a boulangerie (all now closed because the owners retired), plus some lovely French neighbours where we’d spend
many a summer evening enjoying apéros in the garden, but sadly they have all died and their houses sold to younger people who aren’t so interested in socialising with a couple of older Brits! I think a townhouse with a pretty courtyard somewhere like Josselin may have been more of a long-term venture as we get older. I love watching A Place in the Sun, but always shout at the TV
IAN AND JENNY’S TOP TIPS Thinking of buying that dream holiday place in France?
Choose where your place is with great care and think hard about how important that local boulangerie or restaurant is for the enjoyment of your holiday – how will you feel if they close? Facilities and neighbours change over time.
Think, think again and keep on thinking about the size of garden you want if it’s going to be a holiday home. How practical is it to grow vegetables when you aren’t there all the time? Do you want to cut grass during your holidays? In Brittany, you can almost see it growing, and that includes in a mild winter. We found large pots of geraniums
kept going all through the summer when we were away in the UK. In the first year we abandoned any thought of flower beds. Just how much space do you need for a table and chairs so you can enjoy an evening glass of wine?
Don’t skimp on professional help to keep an eye on the place when you are not there – particularly in the winter, if you have trees, when gutters and downpipes can get blocked.
We had a two-bedroom place – we think a must. Some friends found that the desire to come and visit fell away very quickly if it involved sleeping on a pull-out settee in the lounge. OK, this might
be a plus point! Just think about it: do you and your visitors all want to go to bed – or get up – at the same time?
Think about how long you plan to keep the place for, as your needs and wants will change as time moves on. Plus a great holiday home may not be that perfect place for you if you then plan to move to France permanently.
Don’t underestimate the cost of having your place checked and maintained – and this includes the garden – when you are not there. In our case, this was the highest incurred annual cost of keeping the house, but it was also the most important.
FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: July/August 2023 53
The couple's "lovely neighbours"
“no, no!” when someone wants a huge high-maintenance garden for a holiday home. Our 400m2
plot of grass was quite
enough, thank you. But what a fantastic
experience we have had for 19 years staying in our little cottage, giving us many happy memories. We are so glad and so lucky we did it when we were much younger. Here’s to our next adventure! ■
© IAN AND JENNY WASSON
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