REAL LIFE
rather than cautious). So far, so good. Between 2012 and 2015, life
took us on a journey which should have ended with a move to France in April 2015. Pauline being a wonderful wife, licensed me to travel numerous times alone to France in search of our private paradise. During these forays into rural splendour, I would hunt for the perfect location while sampling local wines and culinary teases, and thereafter continue my search again. Every now and then, I would
locate our personal ideal and return to it a little later, with Pauline and the dogs in tow. During this period, we also suff ered the most appalling family tragedies, but I think they sharpened our resolve to fi nd a home across the Channel.
CHANGE OF PLANS In April 2015 we were almost set. We had organised a temporary rental in Gers, arranged our health insurance, taken family out for farewell evenings, and completed stage one of selling our home in Kent. Sadly, the day after exchanging contracts was ill-fated. Pauline attended a hospital appointment and we were told to cancel our France plans.
Gary in front of the Château de Pau
Bertie the dog eyes up the cool waters of their swimming pool
“We had to cancel our France plans. Our lives had been turned inside out – but we got on with it”
She had been diagnosed with a rare cancer. Our lives had been turned inside out. But we got on with it. Pauline
A quiet corner to read in
was amazing or “stoic” to quote her surgeon. I was angry on her behalf. Having committed to selling up, we needed a temporary home. Luckily, one of Pauline’s brothers who lived in Switzerland owned a bolthole in Sandwich in Kent which served as a resting place while Pauline was exposed to weeks of hideous treatment. We swapped our maps of
Pauline and one of the dogs relax on the decking
The wonderful view from the house
France for those of England and our pin landed on a beautiful village in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Most surprised to fi nd dramatic hills in Lincolnshire,
we moved there, later moving to a wonderful home in Norfolk within a comfortable distance of the fi ne city of Norwich. We were content there. So, what ruined it? Pauline did! One day, while I was typing away in my study, she stood in the doorway and asked: “Do you want to move to France?” So, it started all over again! I jumped on this opportunity.
The end of the Brexit transition period was nigh so there was much to do, including selling our house. The next important date
was 15 December 2020. Covid restrictions prohibiting entry into France had just been lifted, but the authorities
FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: September/October 2023 81
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
